Column: The hoverboard - a means of transport of the future?

The hoverboard is, so to speak, a fiction come true. Such an electronic means of transport got its name from the cult films "Back to the Future II and III" from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Michael J. Fox once floated as Marty McFly on a self-floating skateboard a few centimeters above the surface of the earth. In real life, e-boards that ride on small rollers or wheels have been referred to as hoverboards since 2015.

Such two-lane roller boards are not completely free-floating, but they represent a small revolution for human locomotion. The so-called hoverboard is one of the means of locomotion of the futurethat will shape urban and rural life more and more in the future.

What exactly is a hoverboard?

In some metropolises you can already see people whizzing through the area with a hoverboard. A hoverboard is therefore an e-board, an electrically operated roller board without a handlebar, on which one can move while standing. With such a means of transport you are of course faster than on foot and save a lot of energy.

Other names for a hoverboard are self-balancing board and self-balancing scooter or even mini-Segway. A hoverboard usually consists of an axle with two wheels on which there is a two-part platform. The driver stands on it in an upright position. The first hoverboards appeared in China a few years ago. The original and practical boards became known mainly through US celebrities such as Jamie Foxx, Kendall Jenner, Soulja Boy, Chris Brow, Wiz Khalifa and Justin Bieber.

How is a hoverboard driven?

The hoverboard keeps itself in balance via an electronic drive control. It is controlled by the driver's weight shift and foot position. Some skill and practice are required when driving a hoverboard. Experienced skateboarders usually have no problem with a hoverboard. Who invented the hoverboard is controversial.

Due to the vague patent law in China, numerous e-boards are now being produced there, some of which are of poor quality and have faulty construction. American manufacturers in particular, on the other hand, place great value on good battery processing, firm screw connections and temperature monitoring. The motors and control boards in non-Chinese products are also generally more reliable and of better quality overall.

The legal situation in Germany

In Germany it is not allowed to drive with hoverboards on public roads. A hoverboard travels faster than six kilometers an hour. That is why car insurance is necessary for a hoverboard. Part of the safety standard for hoverboards is that the battery has been tested by TÜV and that the board has a UL 2272 certificate. You should also pay attention to the following during the hoverboard test.

An e-board should have a TÜV-tested battery and the UL 2272 certificate have 10 inch pneumatic tires. Also choose a German dealer who gives you a guarantee on your hoverboard. Spare parts should also be available for purchase directly from your dealer. Don't buy a cheap copy from China, because it's not worth it in the end and can be dangerous. Such products have already caused fires and battery explosions, or the wheels suddenly blocked in the middle of a ride.

A good hoverboard is easy to use

A hoverboard is steered by shifting your weight in the desired direction. It's a lot of fun when you master it and the driver doesn't lose his balance himself. The electronic drive supports the driver's balance. You just have to move very slightly in the direction you want to go. The movements are automated for experienced hoverboard drivers. Just the thought of wanting to roll forward leads to the weight being shifted forward. The more you lean, the faster it goes Hoverboard .

If you want to drive to the right or left, you intuitively lean your body in this direction and press your foot more strongly on this side. However, the weight shifts must not be carried out jerkily. With some boards you can drive up to 20 kilometers an hour. A fall is not entirely without risk. The same applies to the hoverboard: Practice makes perfect.

A not entirely harmless driving pleasure

When you try to drive the hoverboard for the first time, you should always have enough space, if only so as not to endanger other people. Protective clothing is also recommended. Elbows, knees and wrists in particular require special protection and a helmet should be worn anyway. The shape of the protective clothing is basically the same as for inline skating or skateboarding. Such protection is almost even more necessary for the hoverboard, because the drive can quickly make the board uncontrollable for the inexperienced. If you are a beginner, be patient. You will probably have to reckon with one or the other - hopefully harmless - fall. As already mentioned, it is important to purchase a safe e-board. To do this, you can find out more about certified hoverboards on the relevant online platforms. You can also find lists of dangerous e-boards. There have also been product recalls for one or the other E-Board in the USA.

Hoverboarding can be fun, but it's not entirely safe. (Photo: Marcel Knoblauch)

The technique of a hoverboard

In a hoverboard, position sensors detect whether the driver is leaning backwards, forwards, to the right or to the left. These sensors transmit this information to a motor as a command for control. This small hub motor under the step drives the two wheels. For example, if you want to go left, the right wheel must turn faster. The hoverboard also houses a powerful battery.

This lithium-ion battery is charged via an external power supply unit, which is usually included with a solid hoverboard. These batteries have already proven to be highly explosive on non-certified e-boards and have set entire houses up in flames. With certified boards, however, this risk should be excluded. Furthermore, a circuit board with the electronics for processing the sensor data is mounted under the step surface. It ensures the correct interaction between drive and control.

What else to consider?

Most of the hoverboards are designed for maximum body weight. If the driver's weight goes well beyond this maximum weight, precise steering is only possible to a very limited extent. The hoverboard can accelerate in an uncontrolled manner or lurch dangerously. In addition, the engine is overloaded and it can run hot. In addition, be warned against running the battery completely empty. If the battery is almost empty, the hoverboard switches off automatically and the wheels are suddenly blocked.

This can lead to a dangerous fall. If it's wet, you should leave your hoverboard at home, as most e-boards cannot handle extreme moisture and this can lead to short circuits. You'll have the most fun with your hoverboard on flat terrain and smooth paths. Bumpy slopes are only for professionals. There are now also hoverboards with built-in Bluetooth speakers for even more driving fun.

If you're looking for a good hoverboard, check out this one Test winner on hoverboard-test.net at. Here you will find a lot of hoverboard practical tests and tips on how to ride a hoverboard.