Final Project Report - Motorized Hover Board
Final Project Report - Motorized Hover Board
by
Gabriele Pregadio
College of Engineering
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo
2016
List of Figures
Figure 1. Glide 65 Vecaro Hoverboard 10
Figure 2. Segway 11
Figure 3. Heelys 12
Figure 4. Pyramid-shaped “Box” design concept for each foot 12
Figure 5. “Box” design cut-out 13
Figure 6. Early Platform design concept 14
Figure 7. Original Platform design concept 16
Figure 8. Modified Platform design concept. This is the underside of the device. 17
Figure 9. 15”x12” Plywood Platform 19
Figure 9. Aluminum Channel 19
Figure 10. 4” Diameter Motorized Wheel 20
Figure 11. 3” Diameter Swivel Caster 20
Figure 12. Selected Switch 21
Figure 13. Channel Attachment with 90° Brackets 23
Figure 14. Channel Attachments (1) 24
Figure 15. Channel Attachments (2) 24
Figure 16. Circuit Schematic 25
Figure 17. Underside of Device 25
Figure 18. Top View 26
Figure 19. Side View 26
Spring 2016’s RSVP production was a modern ballet based on Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow’s epic poem Evangeline, a story of separation from homeland and love. The
production also encompasses the themes of the battle of good and evil, imperialist
control, and the strength and strain of religious ardor. It is set in Israel and tells a story of
a Jew (Evangeline) and a Muslim (Gabriel) falling in love shortly before being separated by
imperialist powers. The production tells the story of Evangeline’s lifelong search for
Gabriel.
One of the production’s main characters is Jibril, the great angel-herald. He moves eerily,
almost floating, very slowly across the floor. His gestures are stayed, beautiful, elegant. He
wears great angel wings and a loose, majestic costume. Three weeks into the course it was
decided that I would perform as Jibril in the performance.
The most important consideration for the device is balance. It is important that the
performer will not fall off from the device. The impact of such a blunder during the
performance would not only harm the scene in which the angel is present. The entire
show’s integrity would be compromised and harshly received by the audience, potentially
as a comedic act, which would seriously damage the performance’s reputation.
1.3 Objectives
The device’s width and length could not exceed shoulder length as it could not be
concealed beneath the costume otherwise. Its height from the ground could not be more
than a few inches for the same reason. It was important for the user to have good balance
while standing on the device.
The device was to move using motorized wheels and would be able to turn using swivel
caster wheels. The batteries were to be mounted on the device underneath the device next
to the wheels and off the ground, or otherwise concealed from the audience. The device
was to be controlled via either remote control by another person or via switches by the
user.
The device must allow the user to move forward and turn in both directions all while
balancing. It is not necessary for it to go backwards. It must also be considerably quiet, as
the audience is only a few feet away from the performers and loud motor noise would give
away the “magic” of the angel’s smooth and eery movement.
The device that could most accurately perform the required movements is the Vecaro
Hoverboard. It is a self balancing motorized two-wheeled balance scooter that uses
innovative gyroscopic technology. With some modifications to prevent the costume from
getting stuck under the wheels, the Hoverboard would likely accomplish the task
successfully, but the price is out of the show’s budget. The entry level model Glide 65
Vecaro Hoverboard is priced at $599, and more powerful and precise versions reach the
$799 range.
Perhaps the most well-known similar product is the Segway, a popular personal
transportation device. The Segway successfully moves a person without the use of their
legs, but it would to be appropriate for the purposes of the performance due to its bulky
frame and the required use of hands for balance.
Heelys are shoes that have at least one wheel embedded in each sole, allowing the user to
walk by shifting their weight to their heels and roll across the floor. It is a simple device
which does not require a motor for movement, although it is necessary for the user to
initially move their legs to spin the wheel. This movement broke the main requirement of
the device and was therefore not considered for the design. However, it inspired a design
concept which was ultimately not selected for implementation1.
Figure 3. Heelys
1 See section 3.1.1 Structure
3.1.1 Structure
One design concept involved two separate motorized devices, one for each foot. This
design was inspired by Heelys2. Each device would be similar to a box, with the electrical
components (battery, motor, wiring) inside. A wheel would be embedded on the underside
of the pyramid-shaped “box”, and the user would rest their feet on the top, with the
forefoot poking past the front of the device, resting on the floor while standing still. The
devices would be separate, with each motor and battery having its own circuit (left and
right feet independent of each other). Each device would be controlled via a momentary
switch in the user’s hand, with wiring up each leg and arm, concealed by the costume.
The primary advantage of this design is that it allowed the user to change directions
easily and intuitively by lifting their heel (which is attached to the device) and pivoting
with their forefoot. With practice, the user turn smoothly and be barely noticeable in the
loose costume. Balancing issues may arise as the user would be The design would also
allow the user to correct their posture easily and quickly in case they were losing balance
simply by placing their forefoot down and turning the switches off. However, it was
unclear whether there was enough room in the “box” to store the battery and motor.
There was also a concern during movement when the forefoot is lifted from the ground,
as the pressure exerted by the heel of the foot on the device could be too great to bear,
and catastrophic failure may result.
A simpler design concept was also considered. The design incorporated all of the
components into one structure, requiring the performer to stand on one platform with
both feet. The platform would be attached to two motorized wheels on its underside and
one caster wheel to allow for turns. All electrical components including wiring would be
attached to the underside of the platform, next to the wheels.
3.1.2 Electrical
It was important to determine whether each motor would have its own circuit (and
battery), or whether one circuit would include both motors and one or more batteries
would power the motors.
With two separate circuits, each motor would require its own battery to run, allowing for
the user to control each motor independently. This simplifies turning, as it would require
the controller of the device to simply close one circuit and short the other. However, two
batteries would be required as opposed to one. This further increases the weight of the
device and the load supported by the wheels, as well as the total cost of the device.
Having one circuit for the device restricts it to one component, eliminating a previous
structural concept3. Having one battery as opposed to two would reduce the total weight
and cost of the device. The motors would be configured in parallel with each other in
order to retain the voltage output of the battery. Controlling the device would also be
more complicated, especially when turning.
Switches controlled by the user would give them complete control of the device. The
benefit of this is that it gives the performer a degree of freedom and correction in case
they unintentionally move to a wrong location on the stage. The downside is that it gives
the performer an additional thing to think about on top of their scripted gestures and
locations based on lighting and timing of the music. This further complicates things for
the user and divides their attention further, likely resulting in suboptimal theatrical
performance.
A remote-controlled device would allow the performer to further focus their attention on
the hand gestures. However, it would cause complications with balancing by the user.
Giving control of the device to a different person means the performer may move
unexpectedly, without having their feet set and body weight balanced appropriately for
the transmitted movement. Another issue is that the assistant controlling the device would
need a good view of the stage. It is important that the stage managers for the production
are out of of the audience’s sight. Additionally, seeing the assistant remote controlling the
device with a controller would “ruin the magic” of the angel’s eery movement and detract
from the show.
3.2 Selection
As previously stated, the most important aspect of the design is the balancing. The “Box”
design concept would allow the user to correct their balancing issues, but it is desirable to
eliminate those issues altogether. For this reason, the Platform design concept was chosen
and altered by introducing a second swivel caster wheel for easier balancing. Both motors
are to have their own circuits and powered by two separate batteries which would be
attached to the underside of the platform.
Early in the design process, it was not clear whether the angel’s hands were bare and used
for theatrical gestures and motions. Therefore, the idea of controlling the device via
switches in the angel’s hands was acceptable. Later in the design process, it was revealed
to me that the angel would in fact need to utilize its hands. This rendered the hand-
controlled switch idea unacceptable and a separate way of controlling the device was
required. The remote-controlled idea was also discarded as it would increase the cost of
the device and it was decided that the benefits of giving full control to the user as opposed
to an assistant outweighed the drawbacks. Two momentary SPST switches were selected
to control each of the two motors.
A few weeks into the quarter, it was also decided that I would be the one performing as
Jibril in the show. This further solidified the selection of the switches over the remote-
control, as I would clearly be the one with the most control of the device seeing as I
would build it.
It was decided that in order to control the device in a concealed way, the switches will be
placed on the platform itself and controlled with the toes. It is extremely important that
the toe barely move in order to activate the corresponding switch and motor so that
balance is not lost during control. The height of the exposed switch should not exceed
half an inch.
The selected parts are detailed in Table 1 below. Further explanations and reasoning is
explained in the subsequent sections.
Component Selection
Platform 23/32”x15”x12” Plywood
Motors 437 RPM HD Precision Planetary Gear Motor
Motorized Wheels 4” Diameter Heavy Duty Wheel
Casters 3” Diameter Swivel Plate Caster
Batteries 3700 mAh 12V NiMH Battery Pack
Switches Single-Pole Momentary Contact Push-Button
Switch
The device components are broken down and detailed in three categories: platform,
structural, and electrical.
As for the material, simple plywood was selected due to its high strength and resistance to
cracking and bending. Its light weight was also a positive factor as it helped exert a lower
load on the wheels. A 23/32” plywood height was selected.
The total height of the device had to be considered. It should be kept as low as possible
due to costume concerns. Increasing the height would make it more difficult to conceal
the device using the angelic cloth costume. 4” diameter wheels were selected for the
Figure 10. 4” Diameter Motorized Wheel Figure 11. 3” Diameter Swivel Caster
A 437 RPM brush motor was selected with a maximum torque of 305.5 oz-in at a rated
voltage of 12 VDC.
The selected motor’s rated voltage was 12VDC, so a battery capable of producing 12V
was required. The scenes in which Jibril appeared did not require him to move too often,
so a 3700 mAh battery pack was selected as the motor did not have to run for too long. A
NiMH type battery was deemed to be appropriate for the device seeing as the motor did
The electrical components were connected with 14 AWG wires taped on the underside of
the platform. The wiring formed two circuits, one for each motor (left and right).
5.1 Construction
Once the plywood was acquired, the 15”x12” platform was created using a table saw. The
edges were sanded in order to prevent wood splinters, as the device was to be picked up
from its sides and moved during blackout scenes in the production. In order to find the
best placement of the switches, I stood on the platform with my feet slightly pointed
outwards. I marked the location of my big toes on the platform. A rotary tool was used to
drill a half inch hole through the wood on the marked locations. The switches were then
fitted through the holes, with the button poking out of the surface and the terminals on
the underside of the platform. The switches were then attached to the platform with
super glue.
The channel was attached by connecting it with three 90° brackets which were then
screwed onto the underside of the platform on the opposite edge of the casters. The
casters were attached to the device by screwing the attached metal plate onto the
underside of the platform, half an inch from the edges.
I was to appear in five scenes in the show. The first introduced Jibril to the audience and
required me to move in a circle two times around the stage before finally coming to the
center. The second scene saw Jibril walking off to the side of the stage, then coming back
to the center. The scene ended in a blackout, where I would pick up the device and place
it in another location on stage where the third scene took place. I was not to move at all
during this scene. The fourth scene saw me entering from the side and slowly make my
way to the center. This scene also ended in a blackout, where I would pick up the device
and quickly walk off stage. In the final scene, I would make my way slowly to the center
of the stage and the show would end with me moving in a tight circle near the center.
The device performed worse than expected. With a little practice, I was able to move
smoothly for a short while after the device had been inactive. However, the device started
It was difficult for me to concentrate on both the movement of the device and my scripted
gestures and spots based on musical cues. This led to decreased performance, which was
noticeable by the stage managers and ultimately led to the decision that the device would
not be used in the show.
The device was fairly quiet during movement, but it would have been noticeable to any
attentive audience member sitting in the closest row to the stage. Jibril’s movement was
close to the edge of the stage, near some audience members on a few occasions.
The project began with exploring ideas for the design inspired by similar devices in the
market. Ultimately, a rectangular platform with two motor-powered wheels and two
casters was chosen. Parts were purchased and connected, and the device was built and
tested.
During testing, it was found that the device did not perform as well as expected. A motor
would frequently stall and cause me to become immobile or move in a jittery fashion,
which was not desired. The project was eventually chosen to not be included in the show,
and I would go on to successfully perform in the show without the need of a device.
Recommendations for the product can be found in Section 5.2 Recommendations for
Future Manufacturing.
Dr. Antonio Barata of the Cal Poly Music Department for his leadership and support.
Dr. James Widmann of the Cal Poly General Engineering Department for his help and
support.
Ms. Kate Hepworth for her cooperativeness and creation of Jibril’s costume.