Riding the best hoverboard can be a whole lot of fun for kids and adults alike. However, if you are a beginner, you may wonder what these devices are, how they operate and what kind of motors they use. In general, hoverboard motors vary depending on make and model. Still, there are several types that make up the lion’s share of wheel-based hoverboard motors.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Hoverboards generally use motors that have been equipped with finely tuned motion sensors, otherwise known as gyroscopic sensors.
- Another common hoverboard motor type is called the electric direct-drive motor, which is usually built into the center of a hoverboard.
- Hoverboards that use brushless DC motors tend to be on the expensive side.
Understanding Hoverboard Motors
Hoverboard motors are located in the wheels of the self-balancing scooter and fall into a number of different types.
Types of Hoverboard Motors
Sensor-based Motors
All hoverboards include a sensor-based motor, no matter how different they may be in other aspects. These motors use connection tabs to accept information from the hoverboard’s gyroscopes in order to create momentum and thrust. The sensors deliver data via the rider’s body weight and stance. This is why hoverboards are sometimes referred to as self-balancing scooters.
Insider Tip
All hoverboards include a sensor-based motor, no matter how different they may be in other aspects.
Electric Direct-drive Motors
Nearly every top hoverboard on the market is equipped with a pair of electric direct-drive motors that are located in each wheel. Being as how the motor is built into the wheel’s design, hoverboards do not need transmission systems or gears. The fact that they use electricity to obtain power, however, does necessitate the need for a battery of some kind.
Lithium-free Designs
While the lion’s share of hoverboard motors receive via a lithium-ion battery pack, some models have eschewed that method of obtaining power. New designs occasionally allow the motor to function by receiving voltage from a lithium-free battery unit.
Brushless DC Motors
Hoverboard motors are typically manufactured in one of two general designs, brushless and brushed. On average, brushless direct current (DC) motors are 20 to 30 percent more efficient than brushed designs. This is due to the fact that they use magnets instead of brushes in order to achieve their desired results. While more efficient, brushless motors tend to be on the expensive side, which tends to raise the price of the hoverboard itself.
Brushed DC Motors
As previously stated, hoverboard motors tend to fall into two categories, those that feature brushed designs and those that include brushless designs. Brushed direct current (DC) motors use brushes and wound wire coils to direct current and send power to the wheels of the hoverboard. This type of motor tends to be cheaper to manufacture than brushless designs. They are, on average, less efficient than brushless motors, though they tend to maintain smooth operation in extreme temperature conditions.
Insider Tip
New designs occasionally allow the motor to function by receiving voltage from a lithium-free battery unit.
F.A.Q.S
How does a hoverboard work?
Simply put, the hoverboard’s motors are located in the wheelbases. When you adopt a balance that engages the internal sensors, or gyroscopes, this sends information to the motor, which reflects in how much power is directed to the wheels. To access the motor, it’s important to know how to take apart your self-balancing scooter’s wheels correctly.
What is the longest-lasting hoverboard?
There is one hoverboard that will outlast all of the competition. We would recommend purchasing a product made from high-quality components and performing due diligence to keep it maintained.
Do hoverboards still catch fire?
The issue of hoverboards inexplicably catching fire was the fault of less reputable manufacturers outfitting their hoverboards with cheap lithium battery packs. Most companies have begun to source their battery packs from more renowned sources.
Can hoverboards go off road?
This entirely depends on the power of the motor and the size of the wheels. We would not recommend a standard 6.5-inch wheel size to travel on rough terrain, though a hoverboard with a wheel size of 8.5-inches or above should do fine with some light off-roading.
STAT: In 2017, the global market value of hoverboards was estimated to be worth approximately 2.77 billion U.S. dollars. (source)
REFERENCES:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoverboard
- https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2295505
- https://docs.odriverobotics.com/hoverboardr
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3Rt_CJb4Ro
- https://www.motioncontrolonline.org/blog-article.cfm/Brushed-DC-Motors-Vs-Brushless-DC-Motors
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufwepwcDy_E
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311916.2018.1524537
