APRIL 15, 2022 BY MONICA GREEN

HOW DOES A HOVERBOARD WORK YOU MUST KNOW

Image Credits: canva

Have you ever paused to think: How a hoverboard works? Today we will take a deeper dive into the internal workings of a hoverboard. Although hoverboards cannot “hover” or levitate”, they are still a miracle of science and technology. It is also interesting to learn in depth about the combination of technologies.

Components of a Hoverboard

Image Credits : github

Hoverboards use a combination of various sensors and components to function. Before we talk about how hoverboards work, let us look into the different components of a hoverboard:

Gyroscope : The gyroscope is the most crucial component of a hoverboard. This component adjusts the tilt of the platform to keep the rider balanced.

Microprocessor : The microprocessor controls the amount of power going to the wheels.

Motor : It receives information from the logic board and powers the wheels.

Wheels : A hoverboard has two motors on each wheel, which allows the two wheels to accelerate and move independently at different speeds. Moreover, each wheel has sensors that read the speed and tilt at any time while riding.

Infrared sensors : Infrared sensors or IR measures an object’s presence and distance.

Battery : A lithium-ion battery stores the hoverboard’s electrical power and charges the device. The batteries are usually lightweight and have a high energy density, which gives you more mileage in a single charge.

Logic board : One of the essential components, the logic board processes the data from different sensors and transmits the information to the motors.

Pressure pads : The pressure pads let the logic board know you are riding and what direction you want to go. Each side of the board has a pressure pad with two switches- one in the front and one at the back.

Tilt or speed sensors : It controls the speed of the hoverboard by measuring how quickly the wheels are turning and communicating with the gyroscope and logic board.

Power switch : The power switch turns the board on and off.

Charging port : Most hoverboards come with a port for charging, but you can buy it separately.

How to Move Forward and Backward

Each hoverboard wheel has its gyroscope, tilt, and speed sensor. When you mount the board and tilt it forward or backward, the gyroscope indicates to the logic board which way to move. The logic board transmits that data to the motor, which rotates the wheels and generates power for movement. The more you tilt, the faster you move.

How to Stop Your Hoverboard

The IR sensors and pressure pads placed below the foot platform send data to the logic board when you are not tilting, telling the logic board not to run the motor. Hence, the board won’t move.

How to Turn

Image Credits : canva

Each wheel complies with its gyroscope to make turns. The rider needs to move the right leg ahead for a left turn, which will only move the right wheel. The motor of the left wheel will turn off, and you can turn left. Similarly, for a right turn, you should move your left foot ahead for the tilt.

Conclusion

We hope this article gives you an insight into the inner workings of a hoverboard. Also, we have discussed the major components of a hoverboard. So, now that you know the basics of a hoverboard, you can get one to go on your little adventure!

FAQs:

There is a motor inside the wheels of the hoverboard. The speed and tilt sensors in each wheel send data to the motors. When you stand on a hoverboard, it stays upright. However, when you shift your weight, the hoverboard starts moving. The more you lean, the faster you will go. Meanwhile, if you lean backward, the hoverboard stops.

When riding a hoverboard, you are standing on pressure-sensitive foot pads. Each foot pad has an infrared (IR) light and an IR sensor. As long as the sensor detects the IR light, the hoverboard’s logic board informs the motor to stay still. As a result, your hoverboard will not move unless you put pressure on the foot pad.