Discover how an electric unicycle works

What does it take for an EUC to work?

The basic concept

The electric unicycle is simply put an electric engine with 2 pedals that stays upright thanks to a gyroscope (this is a very 'clever' electronic component which makes sure your wheel is not falling forward).
The EUC goes forward when you add your weight at the front of the pedals, and breaks or goes backward when you add your weight at the back on the pedals. This is usally done by leaning forward (you shift your weight and center of mass).The engine is inside the wheel and works thanks to a set of magnets and electronic components. There is no other device uses to move with the wheel. You only need to shift the center of mass of your body

How it stays upright

The wheel contains a very important component called a Gyroscope. It makes sure the wheel is always standing up right no matter how much you lean forward or backwards. This amazing piece of electronic makes thousands of calculations per seconds to ensure you can ride the wheel. Without the invention of the Gyroscope, there wouldn't be an electric unicycle.

How it knows the wheel speed

The EUC is equipped with a speedometer, this is to know at what speed the wheel travels. By having the speed, the wheel can do a lot of calculation and work out: the actual speed, the electricity consumption and remaining range, but most importantly, if the wheel goes to fast for the max speed of the engine. An electric engine can only sustain a certain maximum speed, above that threshold it will 'cut-off' to safeguard the engine. (this means you will fall from the wheel! Not a pleasant experience)

What makes the wheel move

The electric engine inside the wheel. Simply put it is a set of magnets powered by electricity. The batteries are powering the engine and output a certain voltage to get the wheel to go faster (or slower).

Does it have breaks?

Yes and No. It doesn't have break as such (like you would find it in a car or a bike) but the engine is the breaking system.
By learning backwards the engine triggers a mecanism which slows down the rotation of the wheel (thanks to the magnet). We could say that the breaking system is magnetic.

Why the advertised range varies so much?

The are so many factors that can influence you range, and having a 'true' range for every single person is near imposible.
Indeed the wheel being so 'small' compared to a car or a motorbike, it is greatly influenced by the weight of the rider. The heavier you are, the more energy you will need to move the wheel (and your range will go down).
How fast you ride influence drasctically the range. Riding fast and breaking fast chews a lot more battery than being very conservative and gentle (however this is not as fun riding like this right?)