Abstract: A scooter front end and a scooter device incorporating the front end. The front end may be releasably coupled to an auto-balancing drive wheel unit such as a Solowheel or Iota device. The scooter front end may serve as a training aid, or allow faster speeds or the carrying of goods, etc. The front end may include an ascending control structure that is used to steer the device. A support frame may extend rearwardly from a steerable wheel and provide a mechanism for releasable coupling to the auto-balancing drive wheel unit. Various embodiments for the scooter front end and drive wheel units are disclosed.

Abstract: A self-balancing load-bearing device having a load platform or like structure that may move relative to the drive wheel or wheels under the force of gravity as the device operates. The load platform may be mounted with a pendulum based structure including curved support tracks or pendulum arms or a related structure. User input of control signals may be achieved with a joystick, foot pedal, remote control or other. Various embodiments and uses are disclosed.

Abstract: A two-wheel, self-balancing transportation device having a foot platform zone associated with each wheel. Various sensor or control arrangements are disclosed. In one embodiment, torsion sensing is used to determine a rider's fore-aft weight distribution on one foot platform zone relative to the other. The torsion-based sensing is preferably combined with fore-aft platform position sensing to achieve a driving and turning of the device. In another embodiment, pressure sensors are used to determine a rider's fore-aft weight distribution on one foot platform zone relative to the other. In yet another embodiment, a relative position sensor is used to determine the relative position of movable platforms sections. Other features and embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A foot-controlled personal transportation device having a drive wheel and a foot platform, with the drive wheel preferably located below the platform. Device driving may be controlled by a position sensor and a control circuit that drives the device toward auto-balancing. The device can be detachably coupled to various accessories to change or expand the function of the device. The device can also exist as a permanently attached drive unit in a complete non-auto-balancing vehicle such as a skateboard or scooter.

Abstract: A central wheel structure transportation device with fore-aft auto-balancing. The auto-balancing is selective enabled (and disable) to improve rider experience, safety and ease of mounting and use. In one embodiment, during mounting, auto-balancing is not enabled until the lateral tilt angle of the device is below a given threshold. Fore-aft sensors, lateral tilt sensors, foot presence sensors, and/or accelerometers, or the like, may be used in various combinations to affect device operation and performance.

Abstract: A self-balancing transportation device having improved shock absorbing ability and operation. Several embodiments are disclosed including a single wheel or wheel structure device with foot platforms disposed for angular movement about an axis of rotation that is non-collinear with the axis of rotation of the drive wheel. Single and multiple wheel devices are disclosed as well as devices having independently movable foot platforms, and devices having load platforms that rotate independently and are movable longitudinally with respect to one another, among other embodiments.

Abstract: A water shield structure for a transportation device and the transportation device having such a water shield structure. The transportation device is preferably a self-balancing device and may include a friction drive motor. The water shield structure helps reduce the entry of moisture from a riding surface into the wheel envelope or drive mechanism of the device. The water shield structure may extend laterally from a wheel and be enclosed, at least in part, in a housing.

Abstract: A wheeled board device with forward and rearward in-line wheel structures attached to a user platform. The forward wheel may have a forward tilt axle or be otherwise direction-biased to permit lean-based turning. The rear wheel may be singular or comprise two tires or the like and be motorized or not. The wheels are preferably large to more readily handle surface irregularities. A self-balancing wheelie mode is disclosed in one embodiment. Other embodiments include placement of the forward tilt axle within or without the envelope of the front wheel. The user platform is below the top of the rear wheel and preferably near the axis of the rear wheel, among other features.

Abstract: An ergonomic and rider-friendly auto-balancing personal transportation device. The device may have a central wheel structure with one or more tires and deployable foot platforms located on both sides of the central wheel structure. The platforms may be linked to a handle, such that lifting the handle retracts the foot platforms and releasing the handle may deploy them. The tire size and platform size may be set so that the device is easy to step on to, and the distance to ground when dismounting is reduced. Dual tire and single wider tire embodiments are disclosed as are other features and embodiments.

Abstract: Various embodiments of transportation devices that have at least two axes of rotation and employ ride balance based drive control are disclosed. One embodiment is a scooter type device with a platform structure movable in fore-aft. The drive motor may be provided at the platform section or drive wheel or be otherwise located. Other embodiments include inline wheeled board embodiments. Yet other embodiments include those utilizing a continuous track. The continuous track embodiments may have two drive motors, among other features.

Abstract: A foot-controlled personal transportation device having a drive wheel and a foot platform, with the drive wheel preferably located below the platform. Device driving may be controlled by a position sensor and a control circuit that drives the device toward auto-balancing. Various components and embodiments are disclosed including, but not limited to, a single wheel structure having various configurations, one-foot and two-feet platform embodiments, various sensor and drive arrangements, and coaxial wheel driving using a hub motor or the like.

Abstract: An auto-balancing transportation device having first and second wheels that are independently drivable. The device includes foot platforms, a control circuit and sensors. Device control is preferably achieved through the position or weight distribution of a rider's feet. The wheels may be arranged in parallel or non-parallel and the foot platforms may be located on the interior are exterior side of the wheels. The wheels may be coupled to one another in a manner that affords tilting, thereby increasing stability when executing a turn, among other benefits. Various embodiments and features are disclosed.

Abstract: A scooter front end and a scooter device incorporating the front end. The front end may be releasably coupled to an auto-balancing drive wheel unit such as a Solowheel or Iota device. The scooter front end may serve as a training aid, or allow faster speeds or the carrying of goods, etc. The front end may include an ascending control structure that is used to steer the device. A support frame may extend rearwardly from a steerable wheel and provide a mechanism for releasable coupling to the auto-balancing drive wheel unit. Various embodiments for the scooter front end and drive wheel units are disclosed.

Abstract: A wheeled board device with forward and rearward in-line wheel structures attached to a user platform. The forward wheel may have a forward tilt axle or be otherwise direction-biased to permit lean-based turning. The rear wheel may be singular or comprise two tires or the like and be motorized or not. The wheels are preferably large to more readily handle surface irregularities. A self-balancing wheelie mode is disclosed in one embodiment. Other embodiments include placement of the forward tilt axle within or without the envelope of the front wheel. The user platform is below the top of the rear wheel and preferably near the axis of the rear wheel, among other features.

Abstract: Foot placement sensor and self-balancing vehicles having same. The foot placement sensor may be configured in or with a self-balancing transportation device that has a least a first foot platform. The sensor may include an emitter of electromagnetic radiation (or other suitable signal) that is propagated, at least in part, over a portion of the foot platform and a receptor positioned to receive this emission. Interruption of the emitted radiation at the receptor may indicate the presence of a user's foot at the platform. One suitable emission type is infrared light, among other suitable types. Various embodiments are disclosed including in two-wheel, one-wheel and paired-wheel self-balancing vehicles.

Abstract: An ergonomic and rider-friendly auto-balancing personal transportation device. The device may have a central wheel structure with one or more tires and deployable foot platforms located on both sides of the central wheel structure. The platforms may be linked to a handle, such that lifting the handle retracts the foot platforms and releasing the handle may deploy them. The tire size and platform size may be set so that the device is easy to step on to, and the distance to ground when dismounting is reduced. Dual tire and single wider tire embodiments. Embodiments that allow different or multiple rider orientations are also disclosed, as are other features and embodiments.

Abstract: Control for an auto-balancing transportation device and the transportation devices having such controls. The controls monitoring system power and power use and generating a corrective response when the difference between system (or device or available) power and power use is below a given threshold. Power use may be calculated using a velocity parameter which provides a measure that more accurately reflects the environment conditions in which the device is being use, and provides benefits over a one-speed speed limit. Various corrective responses including pitch back and alarms, including those to a user-borne device are disclosed.

Abstract: A paddle for use in propelling a watercraft. The paddle may have a blade that is configured for rotary movement and/or to function as an auto-gyro. The blade may have first and second blade members configured as hydrofoils that rotate about a common axis, or be otherwise arranged. Various embodiments are disclosed including those that support convenient stowage and transport and those in which the blade members move between an auto-gyro position and a return position, among other embodiments.

Abstract: A suspension friction drive system and an auto-balancing personal transportation device having same. The suspension friction drive system may include two wheels (at least one of which is a drive wheel) that contact the rim of a wheel to be driven. The wheels preferably contact the rim at a contact angle that increases friction such that wheel driving performance is enhanced. The wheels are also preferably positioned such that some degree of shock absorption is provided and additional absorption may be supported. Various embodiments and features are disclosed including, but not limited to, a suspension frame coupled between the two wheels, the use of at least two drive wheels, a suspension bias mechanism, and a drive wheel substantially centered on the rim.

Abstract: A two-wheel, self-balancing personal vehicle having independently movable foot placement sections. The foot placement sections have an associated wheel, sensor and motor and are independently self-balancing which gives the user independent control over the movement of each platform section by the magnitude and direction of tilt a user induces in a given platform section. Various embodiments are disclosed including those with a continuous housing, discrete platform sections and/or tapering platform sections.