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What is a hoverboard?

Could this be your next ride? It’s a balancing act...

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You’ve heard of hoverboards, right? But what do you really know about them?

Let’s get something out of the way before we begin. No, they don’t actually hover. And they don’t scoot through the air like Marty McFly’s hoverboard did in Back to the Future Part 2. So, forget about the slightly misleading name, and read on for the real hoverboard facts.

What is a hoverboard and how does it work?

Hoverboards first appeared as a toy for kids in 2016. They’ve grown in popularity since then, with adults getting in on the act. Barack Obama was famously photographed trying one out, and of course, he made it look easy.

A hoverboard is a two-wheeled, electric, self-balancing scooter. It consists of a platform for the rider to stand on, with a wheel on either side. And inside, there’s lots of clever tech to keep the rider balanced and propel them forward:

• Gyroscope. This helps the rider keep their balance by constantly adjusting the tilt of the hoverboard. Each wheel has its own gyroscope and sends speed and tilt information straight to it. The gyroscopes then send that info to the logic board.

• Logic board. This is the brain of the hoverboard. It processes the information sent by the gyroscopes, and issues commands to other parts of the hoverboards. For example, it regulates the amount of power sent to the wheels, helping the speed to stay smooth and consistent.

• Motor. This receives information from the logic board and sends power to the wheels to make the hoverboard move.

• Battery. Most hoverboards have a lithium battery, storing the electrical power you need for the ride. Lithium batteries are lightweight and packed with energy, so they’re perfect for portable devices.

How do you ride a hoverboard?

Riding a hoverboard is easy, but takes a little practice to get right. So, make sure you’re padded up with lots of safety equipment before you have a go.

Now simply stand on the platform between the wheels, and lean very slightly forwards to start moving. The platform has sensors inside to detect how you’re standing on your hoverboard, and then moves accordingly. To slow down and stop, simply lean back a little.

Turning is easy too. Push your left toe forward to turn right, push your right toe forward to turn left.

Are hoverboards legal to ride in the UK?

At the time of writing, you’re not allowed to ride a hoverboard on a public road pavement. But you can ride it on private property with the permission of the owner. This means you can’t ride them on council land like public parks, but there might be some privately owned parks that don’t bother if you hover. Check with the owner first!

Which hoverboard is right for me?

Thinking of getting a hoverboard? Before you buy, here are a few things to consider:

Safety first. All hoverboards must pass the UL2272 safety benchmark before they’re certified as a UK safe hoverboard. Avoid any that don’t have this certification.

Speed. Think about the maximum speed you’re comfortable with. If you’re buying a hoverboard for a kid, it might be a good idea to start them off with a slower model. Most hoverboards can go between 6 and 10 miles per hour, with some high-performance ones capable of reaching 12 miles per hour.

Maximum weight limit. Most standard hoverboards are able to carry a weight of up to 100 kg (15 stone 7 pounds, in other words). If you weigh more than that, look for a hoverboard that can support more – some larger models have a weight limit of up to 120 kg (18 stone 8 pounds).

Battery life. Make sure you know how long the battery life on your hoverboard is before you set off on adventure. Anything over 3 hours counts as a decent amount of hoverboard battery life.

Range. How far your hoverboard can go on a single charge is another factor definitely worth considering. It’s basically a combination of your battery life and top speed, and a good hoverboard will be able to go 7 miles. Get a top hoverboard and you could be looking at a distance of up to 10 miles.

Any more questions on buying a hoverboard? With ShopLive, you can video call our experts for all the advice you need. Give it a go!

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