The Exploding Hoverboard Crisis

Evren Khan, ,

The Transportation Industry’s Flamingly Failed Innovation

From a life-altering travel method to a flaming pair of shoes, the hoverboard fell from a promising image of the future beneath our feet to the front of news headlines regarding its bans. The hoverboard was invented in 2014 by Shane Chen, but it foolishly was not patented. This decision caused a surge in the number of Chinese factories that manufactured hoverboards. Its fame heightened when celebrities such as Justin Beiber, Mike Tyson, and Cristiano Ronaldo were seen cruising around on the new gadgets (1). Hoverboards boast a simple design similar to a Segway. The board is stabilized by a gyroscope, a device used to maintain orientation, while the rider’s center of gravity also maintains stability. In terms of electrics, hoverboards contain microprocessors which are processors with only one given task, unlike the multitude of tasks of Central Processing Units. Microprocessors determine the amount of power going to both of the two wheels. (2) Unfortunately, the supply of electricity is the leading cause of the hoverboard’s downfall, most notably demonstrated by the batteries.

Hoverboards run on lithium-ion batteries, which cannot be overcharged. As with every consumer product, safeties are built into chargers to ensure the batteries do not become overcharged. Furthermore, the safeties are even on some boards along with chargers. The safeties only work with a specific board and charger, so this leads to why many companies use a proprietary charger on their hoverboards. (3) Even though the issue mainly emerged from charging, an explosion could occur anywhere. CNET reported, “According to owners and witnesses, some of the hoverboards exploded while charging, others while riding, and one while it was simply sitting near a kiosk in a Washington shopping mall” (4). Why were the batteries and chargers so low quality?

Exploding Hoverboard – https://www.thenationalherald.com/more-than-500000-hoverboards-recalled-after-fires/

The quality lies in poor manufacturing that cemented the fiery reputation of hoverboards. Knockoff hoverboards were sold at the lowest prices, which led to corners being cut, especially with the batteries. The explosions themselves are deadly, and the tragedies specifically followed the cheaper hoverboards. As of 2022, according to CBS, 20 people have died from hoverboard explosions or fires. CBS also reports that an eight-year-old died in New York due to a hoverboard explosion (5).  To address the issue and deaths they caused, 900,000 hoverboards have been banned since 2016. Additionally, multiple lawsuits have been filed against hoverboard distributors. 

People will always develop new methods to make life easier, especially when it comes to travel. However, it is most important to have a thorough quality control process to save lives.

People will always develop new methods to make life easier, especially when it comes to travel. However, it is most important to have a thorough quality control process to save lives.

Bibliography:

  1. Min, R. (2018, December 20). Birth of the Hoverboard.  Voltes.eu. Retrieved from https://www.voltes.eu/blogs/news/birth-of-the-hoverboard. 
  2. ‌ (2021). HOVERBOARDS®. Hoverboards.co.uk. Retrieved from https://www.hoverboards.co.uk/blog/read/how-does-a-hoverboard-work#:~:text=The%20hoverboard%20moves%20forward%20based,power%20supplied%20to%20the%20wheels.
  3. (2023, July 4). Hoverboard Explosions – The Weinberger Law Firm. The Weinberger Law Firm. Retrieved from https://www.weinbergerlaw.net/blog/hoverboard-explosions/#:~:text=Lithium%2Dion%20batteries%20cannot%20accept,overcharging%20and%20therefore%2C%20a%20fire. 
  4. (2016). ‌Here are the reasons why so many hoverboards are catching fire. CNET. Retrieved from https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/why-are-hoverboards-exploding-and-catching-fire/ 
  5. ‌Gibson, K. (2022, December 22). At least 19 killed this year in a hoverboard, e-scooter fires, feds say. Cbsnews.com; CBS News.  Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/e-scooter-hoverboard-fires-deaths-injuries-feds/ 
  6. McCallum, B. (2023, October 25). Hoverboard Recalls: From 2016 to 2023. Mom Loves Best. Retrieved from https://momlovesbest.com/hoverboard-recalls.