While they're certainly not common, we have seen two-wheeled skateboards before. So, what does a company do if it wants its two-wheeler to stand out? Well, it could always add an electric motor, which is just what China's Yiimix has done with the Yiiboard.
First of all, you may wonder what the point behind a two-wheeled skateboard is – besides just looking weird, and requiring a steeper learning curve in order to ride it. Well, the big selling point is that it has a tighter turning radius than a regular four-wheeler, allowing riders to really carve into turns.
The 13-lb (6-kg) Yiiboard's front wheel swivels like that of a shopping cart, with the rear wheel being driven by a brushless 400W hub motor. Power comes from a Panasonic lithium-ion battery pack located in the aluminum alloy deck – one 3-4 hour charge should be good for a range of about 18 miles (29 km).
The board's top speed is 12 mph (19 km/h), and it can carry a payload of up to 331 lb (150 kg).
Riders control the motor using a wireless handheld remote, pushing its slider forward to go faster and pulling it back to stop. When stopping, the rear wheel's energy-recovery braking system helps charge the battery.
Oh yes, and the board also has lights. There are two LED headlights in the front, along with brake lights in the back.
Should you be interested in getting one, it's currently the subject of an Indiegogo campaign. A pledge of US$359 will get you a board, when and if they reach production. The planned retail price is $499.
You can see the Yiiboard in action, in the video below.
Source: Indiegogo
