With their futuristic design, eco-friendliness, and unique functionality, electric unicycles are revolutionizing how people get around.
But what exactly is an electric unicycle, and is riding one of these one-wheeled wonders actually safe for regular folks?
How Do Electric Unicycles Work?
An electric unicycle is a personal electric vehicle (PEV) meant to be used by a single rider. It’s also called an electric monowheel because of its single-wheeled design. An electric motor powers the electric unicycle, so you don’t need to pedal. Although pedals are available on the sides of the wheel, they are used for the rider to stand on. The rider can then control the vehicle’s movement, trajectory, and balance using their body movements.
The main difference between an electric unicycle and a conventional one is that electric unicycles are powered by an electric motor and a battery instead of your muscles. This means you don’t need to strain your muscles pedaling around. While this may be considered a con by fitness enthusiasts, it does ease up the task of people who want to travel short distances without putting in the extra effort.
The electric unicycle relies on a built-in motherboard equipped with gyroscopes to measure and regulate various angles such as front, back, left, and right. The gyroscopes play a crucial role in maintaining balance by increasing or decreasing the speed of the motor to compensate for any shifts in angle and prevent the unicycle from tripping over while riding. This method of self-balancing is called gyro-stabilization.
An electric unicycle is pretty smart and senses movements to function. If you want to stop the unicycle, you can do so by simply leaning backward, which will change your angle in a way that the gyroscope detects and tells the motor to slow down and halt.
Even the wheels of the unicycle are rugged by design, which means they can be used in various terrains like snowy tracks, wet roads due to rain, or even slightly bumpy streets. While battery life depends on many factors, a unicycle generally lasts several hours on a single charge. When the battery’s drained, you may plug it in overnight, and it will be fully charged in the morning.
For example,our review of the InMotion V12HTfound that the EUC takes around nine hours to charge, whereas the InMotion v13 Challenger charges from 0 to 100% in about six hours if you use a single 5A charger and half that time if you use two chargers. While this may seem like a lot, it’s relatively fast compared to other unicycle models.
While there is a slight learning curve to its operation, once you master it, the unicycle becomes easy to maneuver and allows for a fun riding experience.
Who Can Use Electric Unicycles?
EUCs can come in handy for a lot of practical reasons. They are mostly used for traveling short distances in an urban or suburban setting. They can also be used by people with parking issues, as they can be easily carried and stored away in a closet or locker. Eco-conscious people who want their carbon footprints to be as minimal as possible will also find EUCs an enticing prospect. While electric cars and bikes also fulfill this particular requirement, eventhe cheapest electric vehiclescan be very expensive compared to a unicycle.
Additionally, people living in rugged terrain find EUCs useful for climbing hills and riding on rough roads. Of course, the unicycle will be your best companion if you love adventures and fun rides!
EUCs are legal in most states in the US, and residents of these states can use them freely. Some states, like Alaska or Alabama, require a special riding license to use these vehicles. Hawaii requires you to register your EUC at the local city hall.
However, there are a few places where EUCs are illegal, including New York City and California, among others. This is because riding a PEV with a motor exceeding 1,000 watts is considered a safety risk in these places, and EUC motors can go up to 2,000 watts.
Electric Unicycle Features
An EUC has many features that make it a practical vehicle for riders:
These general features make EUCs a smart choice for practical and economic reasons. Different models of EUCs have additional features that make them better and smarter than the last model. For example, the InMotion V11 EUC has a 2,200W sustained motor. In ourInMotion V11 EUC review, we found that its battery lasts all day, plus it comes with a dual charging port, a built-in cooling system, and a spin kill button to kill the motor temporarily.
How Much Does an EUC Cost?
The cost of an electric unicycle can vary widely depending on factors such as brand, features, and specifications. Entry-level models may start around $500, while high-end or specialized electric unicycles with advanced features can range from $1,000 to over $2,000. It’s essential to consider factors like battery life, motor power, build quality, and additional features when determining which electric unicycle to choose. Prices may also change over time as new models are released and technology advances.
Electric Unicycles are the Future of Commute
Electric unicycles are a versatile and economical investment. If you are someone who only commutes short distances and is on a budget, electric unicycles should be your vehicle of choice. They have many features that make them a practical and highly adaptable vehicle.
While it does require some practice to get the hang of things, the self-stabilizing features of the vehicle ensure you will master riding it in no time. The rechargeable batteries are long-lasting, and the speeds are also enviable for a personal class vehicle.
