Motorized wheel-on-a-pole sticks it to electric skateboards

If you sometimes want an electric boost while skateboarding, but don't want an electric skateboard, then you might like REM. It's essentially a handheld "power stick" that works completely independent of the user's board.

26 comments

They look like witches on their way to snatch up human children.
- ...to run over children and old people.
  With a speed up to 40 km/h they definitely need to stay away from the sidewalks.
  
  ...Which is the only place where they can legally ride.
  
  Imagine launching up a half pipe at 40kph though. Gnarly air!
If there's a way to attach a lacrosse stick to the other end, I think I have friends that would buy this. This could also propel -- pun intended -- a new sport into existence: power lacrosse, where everyone is on a skateboard. Think hockey, but with lacrosse, but with kick flips.
In all seriousness, I'm going to have to check how/if this is even regulated under local laws here. I'm not even sure the California Vehicle Code even handles a ~~one~~ zero? wheeled device that only periodically contacts the ground.
- power lacrosse, where everyone is on a skateboard. Think hockey, but with lacrosse, but with kick flips.
  Sounds like a sport designed to injure people.
  
  So it will be wildly popular in the US?
- Let me update my health insurance and sign me up
- But what about full contact tennis? The game is played as usual, but if the opponent gets close to the net and the other player is also near, they can reach over the net with a swing of their racket to try to sun their opponent. Fists are also permitted. Doubles is like tag-team... Only one can be violent at a time. Knock out is added as a method of victory.
  
  At some point, we'll have just reinvented wrestling, but with more implements.
1200€? That is one expensive motor on a stick.
- Seriously. I'm pretty sure I can build one for under 100 with an old drill.
This would be way better if it were ridden like a broom while wearing rollerblades.
- I eagerly await your video!
The setup has a top speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) along with a complete lack of brakes – the onus is upon users to stop themselves as they normally would, without a motor.
Haha, what?? Going 25mph on my bike is scary and it has brakes and giant wheels. The people in the picture aren't even wearing helmets. Have they not seen the videos of people turning their faces into wailing pulp after much slower than 25mph crashes? Does look fun though, would pair really well with a shopping cart
- *street gondola
  
  That was my first thought too! Also reminded me of bodega not on mastodon: "This ex-skateboarder wants to replace long boards with electric street gondolas."
- 25 mph on a bike doesn't scare me, but I've gone down hills hitting 40mph getting the speed wobbles and that is downright terrifying.
  But i agree, 25mph on a skateboard is scary. And apparently speedwobbles can happen on skateboards too. Nope nope nope
Looks interesting, but I think regenerative brakes would help slow down riders without destroying the roller. Would be nice in a v2.
Looks like it's barely an idea now. I can think of several design improvements that are immediately obvious already. This shouldn't have a price tag yet.
I wonder how the REM is weighted. If it were balanced at both ends, I bet people could do cool tricks with it.
Row, row, row your skateboard; swiftly down the sidewalk.