These machines mounted on a wheel proved too dangerous, and its manufacturer had to redouble its ingenuity to avoid disaster.
For some time now, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has been sounding the alarm about safety issues with Onewheel devices. It took four deaths between 2019 and 2021, as well as multiple cases of injuries, for the Californian company to take action and propose a solution to avoid a formal recall of more than 300,000 skateboards.
A simple software update
When you see Onewheels on the street or on videos, do you ever think that they must not be very safe? Well, it turns out that’s the case, or at least that some users’ overconfidence leads to some pretty dramatic accidents. At least, compared to other devices equipped with several wheels, which are also not without danger. A real problem for the CPSC, which has been asking Onewheel since last year to act as quickly as possible. She then contested this appeal, calling it “ unjustified and alarmist “.
However, the story is no longer quite the same in 2023. In recent days, more than 300,000 of the brand’s devices have been recalled, or at least considered no longer safe enough to use. To resolve the problem, and in collaboration with the CPSC, Onewheel has developed a software update that provides haptic feedback to its skateboards.
Using the devices’ motor, the company is able to trigger high-pitched sounds and vibrations in specific situations. Users will be notified when their machine reaches its maximum speed or acceleration, when the battery is too low or when a malfunction occurs. These alerts should therefore encourage users to slow down or end their journey on foot.
A half-hearted solution
This approach seems to suit both Onewheel and the American regulator. Although its effectiveness depends on the will of users, who can deactivate it, this functionality should help reduce the number of unpleasant surprises. However, there is no guarantee that the CPSC will not reverse its decision if the results are not satisfactory.
The update will be rolled out worldwide, and affects the Onewheel GT, Onewheel Pint X, Onewheel Pint and Onewheel+ XR. The company has also added a dedicated recall page to its website, which lets you know which devices are affected and which are not.
Indeed, some skateboards will be left on the side of the road. The brand’s older models, namely the Onewheel Original and the Onewheel +, are advised to be discarded (yes, you read that correctly). Their owners will, however, be entitled to “ a prorated $100 discount on the purchase of a new Onewheel “. However, it is not specified whether users outside the United States will be entitled to the same compensation. It also remains to be seen whether French and European regulators will look into the company’s case in the coming months.
Source : The Verge
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