Industry News: Future Motion Recalls 300,000 Onewheel Electric Skateboards in Cooperation with CPSC*
In a significant development within the electric skateboard industry, Future Motion, Inc., the renowned manufacturer of Onewheel electric skateboards, has initiated a voluntary recall of a staggering 300,000 skateboards in partnership with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This recall follows a series of accidents and, tragically, four reported fatalities.
The recall encompasses the entire range of Onewheel self-balancing electric skateboards, including the Onewheel (original), Onewheel+, Onewheel+ XR, Onewheel Pint, Onewheel Pint X, and Onewheel GT models. The reason behind this recall is a concerning issue related to the skateboards' balance, which could result in crashes if the board's operational limits are exceeded.
A joint notice released by Future Motion and the CPSC reveals that the manufacturer has been made aware of numerous incidents leading to severe injuries, including concussions, paralysis, upper-body fractures, lower-body fractures, ligament damage, and traumatic brain injuries. Most alarmingly, from 2019 to 2021, the use of these recalled skateboards was associated with four tragic deaths, all stemming from head trauma. Disturbingly, three of these fatalities occurred when riders were not wearing helmets.
The recalled products were retailed online at onewheel.com, various other websites, and independent shops across the nation. This spanned from January 2014 through September 2023, with prices ranging between $1,050 and $2,200. Consumers can identify the affected models by checking for the model names printed on the sides of the skateboards.
Owners of Onewheel self-balancing electric skateboards are strongly advised to discontinue their use immediately. In a bid to enhance safety, some models, such as the Onewheel GT, Onewheel Pint X, Onewheel Pint, and Onewheel+ XR, can be updated using their associated mobile applications to incorporate "haptic Buzz alert functionality." This innovative system is designed to issue warnings to riders when the board nears its operational limits, experiences low battery levels, or encounters an error.
The firmware update for the Onewheel GT will be available within one week, while the Pint X, Pint, and XR updates will take approximately six weeks to roll out. For additional information regarding this recall and the update process, please visit [insert link to official recall website].
This recall serves as a critical step in prioritizing the safety of electric skateboard enthusiasts and the broader community, underlining the industry's commitment to ensuring the well-being of riders.
Author:
The founder of FITQS/FQC
The columnist of magzine <China Fitness Equipment>
20 years in fitness/sporting equipment OEM/ODM technical, quality con
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