The Rise and Fall of Hoverboards and Segways: A Tale of Viral Products and Safety Concerns

Viral products can experience meteoric rises and equally dramatic falls from grace, often due to a combination of consumer excitement and regulatory scrutiny. Two such products, hoverboards and Segways, showcase this phenomenon starkly. The government is currently blocking the sale of hoverboards in the US until they can meet newly created safety standards, reflecting a broader trend of ensuring consumer safety amidst rapid technological innovation.

The Hoverboard Saga: From Viral Novelty to Regulatory Scrutiny

Hoverboards, the self-balancing scooters that became one of the hottest gadgets of 2015, are now facing stringent safety regulations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have issued a joint letter stating that hoverboards can only be sold if they can be proven to meet the newly created safety standards. These standards were developed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a company that certifies the safety of consumer products, but they only came into effect about two weeks before the letter was issued.

The dynamics behind the hoverboard boom and bust are complex. Hoverboards quickly became a cult favorite, driving sales in excess of $400 million in the US during the holiday season. However, their popularity was marred by numerous fires and malfunctions, leading to bans by major airlines and recommendations from retailers to discard or return the products.

Major retailers, such as Amazon in the UK, provided strong discouragement to consumers who had already purchased hoverboards. The letter from the agencies spells out the exact conditions that will need to be met for hoverboards to be sold again, emphasizing the importance of safety. This includes requirements for thermal management and design, which are crucial for preventing the hazardous circumstances that led to the product's decline.

Why Did Hoverboards Become a Safety Hazard?

Hoverboards began to catch fire due to several factors. Many models were produced using low-quality batteries, which could overheat or explode under certain conditions. Additionally, some manufacturers prioritized cost-cutting measures at the expense of safety. These shortcuts led to a serious consumer safety issue, triggering a global recall of the products.

The UL safety standards aim to address these issues by mandating rigorous testing and certification processes. These standards ensure that all components of the hoverboard, from the battery to the electronics, are designed to operate safely and reliably. Achieving these standards will require manufacturers to redesign and retest their products, which is likely to lead to higher costs and potentially fewer hoverboards hitting store shelves.

Segways: A Neat Gadget with Limited Practicality

Segways, while technologically interesting, have not achieved the same level of success as hoverboards. These self-balancing scooters, invented by inventor Dean Kamen, provided a futuristic solution to urban mobility problems. However, they have failed to gain widespread acceptance for several reasons.

Compared to walking, the only difference a Segway offers is the ability to move your feet. Other practical aspects, such as weather protection, speed, and cargo-carrying capacity, remain lacking. Segways also present additional challenges in terms of storage and parking, making them inconvenient for many users.

Another factor is the perception of coolness. Segways are not typically seen as the most fashionable or desirable mode of transportation, especially compared to alternatives like skateboards or electric scooters. Their use is often restricted to specific environments, such as malls or golf courses, where they may not fit in with the overall aesthetic of the setting.

Conclusion

The hoverboard and Segway cases highlight the challenges and risks of bringing new products to market. While innovative and exciting, products must also meet safety standards and be practically useful. The regulatory push to ensure consumer safety is a crucial step in addressing the safety issues that led to the hoverboard's setbacks. For Segways, the struggle to find a niche and gain widespread acceptance continues. Both products serve as cautionary tales for manufacturers and consumers alike, emphasizing the importance of thorough testing, safety, and practicality in consumer products.

Keywords: hoverboards, Segways, safety standards