While we’re still a way’s away from there being any sort of legitimate hoverboard on the market, one company has given us a pretty good alternative to use in the meantime.
Below are Hammacher Schlemmer’s Sidewinding Circular Skates, a ‘post-modern’ skateboard, if you will, that even Marty McFly would be proud to ride.
The most noticeable thing about this skateboard — the fact that it has no board whatsoever. Instead, riders insert their feet on to its two mini platforms for stability, and then ride the device kind of like a waveboard.
Now, if your inner teenager is screaming that you need to try this out, but the adult side of you is countering that you’ll likely wind up spending more time in a hospital bed then actually riding this thing, it’s worth pointing out the “board” does come with an extendable rod that can be used to connect the two wheels.
This is to allow for a training period with the device prior to going “boardless”.
Getting into some of the technical specs for this post-modern skateboard (as it’s being marketed at the moment), the two rubber wheels are 10 inches round and described as “annular”, or ring-shaped. Forward movement is achieved simply by moving side to side, and the board can perform a 720-degrees spin on a dime. Stopping is achieved by placing ones toes on the ground. It can support up to 200lbs and ride on everything from asphalt to sidewalks to grassy lawns, and all without any change in performance quality.
The device is $99.95, and while impressive from a design aspect, one can’t help but wonder its potential if some sort of motor were applied to it — whether it be an electric motor for the purpose of propulsion, or piezoelectric for generating and storing power that the rider could use to charge his / her smartphone (once they’ve arrived at their destination).
That said, the Post-Modern Skateboard is certainly inspiring. Check it out in action in the video below:
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