Abstract: A self-propelled, one-wheeled vehicle may include a suspension system configured to provide arcuate, generally vertical motion of a board relative to an axle of a central wheel assembly when the vehicle encounters obstacles and bumps on a riding surface. Illustrative suspension systems may include a shock absorber and a swingarm that couple the wheel assembly to the board.

Abstract: A self-balancing electric vehicle may include a platform having first and second foot placement sections rigidly coupled to each other, and a pair of coaxial, motorized wheels independently mounted between the first and second foot placement sections. The first and second wheels may be coupled to the platform via spring suspensions. Rider presence and turning intentions may be determined based on strain induced in the platform by the rider. The strain may be detected by one or more strain gauge systems. One of the strain gauge systems may be configured for use in a steering control circuit, and may include a strain gauge sensor mounted diagonally with respect to a long axis of the platform, such that the strain gauge detects only twist-induced strain.

Abstract: A self-propelled, one-wheeled vehicle may include a suspension system configured to provide arcuate, generally vertical motion of a board relative to an axle of a central wheel assembly when the vehicle encounters obstacles and bumps on a riding surface. Illustrative suspension systems may include a shock absorber and a swingarm that couple the wheel assembly to the board.

Abstract: An electric vehicle may include a board having two deck portions each configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. A motor assembly may drive the wheel assembly in response to board orientation and rider presence information. A rider detection mechanism may include one or more strain gauges, and may be configured to detect rider presence and rider weight information. A responsiveness of the motor may be automatically adjusted based on the rider weight information.

Abstract: An electric vehicle may comprise a board including first and second deck portions each configured to receive a left or right foot of a ride, a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions and including a ground-contacting element, a motor assembly mounted to the board and configured to rotate the ground-contacting element around an axle to propel the electric vehicle, at least one sensor configured to measure orientation information of the board, and a motor controller configured to receive orientation information measured by the sensor and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation information. The electric vehicle may include exactly one ground-contacting element, and the motor may be a hub motor.

Abstract: An electric vehicle may comprise a board including deck portions each configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. A motor assembly may be mounted to the board and configured to propel the electric vehicle using the wheel assembly. At least one orientation sensor may be configured to measure orientation information of the board, and at least one pressure-sensing transducer may be configured to determine rider presence information. A motor controller may be configured to receive the orientation information and the rider presence information, and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation and presence information.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods relating to hub motors having enhanced thermal characteristics may include a hub motor having a stator comprising steel and a central axle (e.g., a mandrel and shaft) comprising a material with a substantially higher thermal conductivity than the stator (e.g., aluminum). Heat may be transferred from the stator through the axle of the motor to an outside heat sink. Manufacturing of thermally enhanced hub motors may include extrusion and/or cryogenic fitting methods relating to the central mandrel and shaft.

Abstract: An electric vehicle may include a board having two deck portions each configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. A motor assembly may drive the wheel assembly in response to board orientation and rider presence information. A rider detection mechanism may include one or more strain gauges, and may be configured to detect rider presence and rider weight information. A responsiveness of the motor may be automatically adjusted based on the rider weight information.

Abstract: An electric vehicle may comprise a board including first and second deck portions each configured to receive a left or right foot of a ride, a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions and including a ground-contacting element, a motor assembly mounted to the board and configured to rotate the ground-contacting element around an axle to propel the electric vehicle, at least one sensor configured to measure orientation information of the board, and a motor controller configured to receive orientation information measured by the sensor and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation information. The electric vehicle may include exactly one ground-contacting element, and the motor may be a hub motor.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods relating to hub motors having enhanced thermal characteristics may include a hub motor having a stator comprising steel and a central axle (e.g., a mandrel and shaft) comprising a material with a substantially higher thermal conductivity than the stator (e.g., aluminum). Heat may be transferred from the stator through the axle of the motor to an outside heat sink. Manufacturing of thermally enhanced hub motors may include extrusion and/or cryogenic fitting methods relating to the central mandrel and shaft.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods relating to hub motors having enhanced thermal characteristics may include a hub motor having a stator comprising steel and a central axle (e.g., a mandrel and shaft) comprising a material with a substantially higher thermal conductivity than the stator (e.g., aluminum). Heat may be transferred from the stator through the axle of the motor to an outside heat sink. Manufacturing of thermally enhanced hub motors may include extrusion and/or cryogenic fitting methods relating to the central mandrel and shaft.

Abstract: An electric vehicle may comprise a board including deck portions each configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. A motor assembly may be mounted to the board and configured to propel the electric vehicle using the wheel assembly. At least one orientation sensor may be configured to measure orientation information of the board, and at least one pressure-sensing transducer may be configured to determine rider presence information. A motor controller may be configured to receive the orientation information and the rider presence information, and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation and presence information.

Abstract: An electric vehicle may comprise a board including first and second deck portions each configured to receive a left or right foot of a ride, a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions and including a ground-contacting element, a motor assembly mounted to the board and configured to rotate the ground-contacting element around an axle to propel the electric vehicle, at least one sensor configured to measure orientation information of the board, and a motor controller configured to receive orientation information measured by the sensor and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation information. The electric vehicle may include exactly one ground-contacting element, and the motor may be a hub motor.

Abstract: An electric vehicle may comprise a board including deck portions each configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. A motor assembly may be mounted to the board and configured to propel the electric vehicle using the wheel assembly. At least one orientation sensor may be configured to measure orientation information of the board, and at least one pressure-sensing transducer may be configured to determine rider presence information. A motor controller may be configured to receive the orientation information and the rider presence information, and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation and presence information.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods relating to hub motors having enhanced thermal characteristics may include a hub motor having a stator comprising steel and a central axle (e.g., a mandrel and shaft) comprising a material with a substantially higher thermal conductivity than the stator (e.g., aluminum). Heat may be transferred from the stator through the axle of the motor to an outside heat sink. Manufacturing of thermally enhanced hub motors may include extrusion and/or cryogenic fitting methods relating to the central mandrel and shaft.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods relating to hub motors having enhanced thermal characteristics may include a hub motor having a stator comprising steel and a central axle (e.g., a mandrel and shaft) comprising a material with a substantially higher thermal conductivity than the stator (e.g., aluminum). Heat may be transferred from the stator through the axle of the motor to an outside heat sink. Manufacturing of thermally enhanced hub motors may include extrusion and/or cryogenic fitting methods relating to the central mandrel and shaft.

Abstract: An electric vehicle may comprise a board including first and second deck portions each configured to receive a left or right foot of a ride, a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions and including a ground-contacting element, a motor assembly mounted to the board and configured to rotate the ground-contacting element around an axle to propel the electric vehicle, at least one sensor configured to measure orientation information of the board, and a motor controller configured to receive orientation information measured by the sensor and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation information. The electric vehicle may include exactly one ground-contacting element, and the motor may be a hub motor.

Abstract: An electric vehicle may comprise a board including deck portions each configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. A motor assembly may be mounted to the board and configured to propel the electric vehicle using the wheel assembly. At least one orientation sensor may be configured to measure orientation information of the board, and at least one pressure-sensing transducer may be configured to determine rider presence information. A motor controller may be configured to receive the orientation information and the rider presence information, and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation and presence information.

Abstract: An electric vehicle may comprise a board including first and second deck portions each configured to receive a left or right foot of a ride, a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions and including a ground-contacting element, a motor assembly mounted to the board and configured to rotate the ground-contacting element around an axle to propel the electric vehicle, at least one sensor configured to measure orientation information of the board, and a motor controller configured to receive orientation information measured by the sensor and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation information. The electric vehicle may include exactly one ground-contacting element, and the motor may be a hub motor.