The Marbel Board (via Kickstarter)
The most lightweight electric skateboard in the world is here. The Marbel Board is making its splash in the market, weighing in at a record-breaking 9.9lbs with enough power to reach 20mph and with a range of 10 miles per charge. The Kickstarter campaign is nearly done and having met its goal this puppy is expected to come to market between this fall and next winter.
The Marbel Board is kicking tail and taking names. Not only is it the lightest electric vehicle (Does a skateboard qualify as a vehicle?) in the world, but it is also one of the most powerful. With almost three horsepower, this board can hit speeds of 20mph uphill. All electronics and the batteries are housed into the body of the board, making it entirely waterproof and best of all, it’s customizable right through an app on your phone.
The board was intended to provide people with a lightweight, user-friendly electric vehicle for short distance trips that doesn’t require serious exercise (because who really wants to show up at work drenched in sweat from a long bike ride?). That’s why the board was made to look sleek, but packs a powerful punch and can get you to your destination promptly.
The deck is made with a combination of Carbon Fiber and Kevlar to be durable and strong, yet lightweight. The nose and tail of the board are made from Urethane rubber to protect the board from damage and the sides and bottom of the deck are coated with Kevlar composite to protect it from impact. The entire board is waterproof and runs on a Lithium-Ion battery that charges via wall outlet in 90 minutes. Once charged, the board can sustain for 10 miles on a single charge.
Probably the coolest feature of all is the smartphone app, which not only allows for customization but can also lock your board to disable usage (and discourage theft). The DashBoard App enables four different riding modes, customizable to the user’s preferences. Starter Mode caps out at 6mph and 25% acceleration to give users time to get used to the board. Eco Mode observes the user’s riding style and configures itself to waste less power based on those preferences. Sport Mode is meant for speed and Custom Mode gives users full control to set their preferred acceleration and top speed.
DashBoard App interface (via Kickstarter)
The App also allows users to set low battery notifications, map a route to determine if there is enough battery life for the trip and also features a Marbel riders community and tech support. The app is available for both iOS and Android, but those who prefer to kick it old school can use the included wireless controller to control the acceleration and top speed of the board in real-time.
DashBoard App interface (via Kickstarter)
Users ride the Marbel Board just like any other skateboard, minus the kicking. The riding style is similar to that of a longboard, as riders are cruising most of the time.
The Marbel Board is showing high demand already and has nearly tripled its Kickstarter goal of $90,000, with 10 days left to go. The board is expected to retail at a jaw-dropping $1,199, unless you got the early bird special. If you want one you’d better act now, or pay the price, literally.
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