Study: Balance Scooters, Are They Illegal?

LModernPowerSolutions on 03/10/2015 - 17:08

Hi Ozbargainers,

This post is to bring forth the truth behind the balance scooter, are they illegal to use in public spaces in Australia?

The company that I work for recently started importing and reselling motorised balance scooters, as they are becoming popular around the world.

I am not here to sell, advertise this product for this company, so I will not disclose any information about it.

Google image link of a similar one: http://g03.a.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1e_U2HFXXXXb8XFXXq6xXFXXXZ/2-W…

As part of my role, it was my job to investigate, test, and study this product thoroughly, so we could create documentation [instructions, website info etc…] on this product, and seem knowledgable to our customers.

One of the things we determined from this, was the power of each of the electric motors in the balance scooter. The results we found differed from what we previously thought, and from what we found on the web - advertised from sellers.

These scooters use DC high-torque brushless servo motors that are build solid into each of the wheels. There is therefore no transmission, gears or shaft - it is a complete direct drive system.

In Australia, the laws simply say: any electric scooter with a combined motor power output that exceeds 250w, or can self accelerate faster than 25km/h require registration.

As advertised online, these motors claim to range in power between 300-350 watts each. Bringing a combined output power between 600-700 watts.

Some boring background information on how they work:
These scooters inside have a motor controller, which is essentially a computer which controls the rotational speed of each the 2x motors.

After our internal electrical tests, we found this information on the motor system:
We measured the potential difference across each motor, and found it to be within 10% of 36v - constant on all motor speeds, dependable on battery life.

This therefore meant the current was the dependant factor on controlling the speed of each motor [expected]
We measured the current at roughly 3 different speeds on each motor;
Slow [~2km/h), 0.81A ~ 30watts
Medium [6km/h], 1.43A ~ 50watts
Max speed [~14-15km/h] 2.68A ~ 95watts

Verification of results:
After further theoretical calculations, we found our results to be accurate:

The capacity of the battery in these balance scooters is 157Wh [Watt Hours]. This essentially means the motor can provide ~150watts of power for an hour, before it will die.

When testing the scooters battery life, we found that at a constant speed of 6km/h, the scooter would last ~81minutes.

Conclusion:
Despite each motor being rated/designed to draw up to 300-350watts, the motor controller only allows only a maximum power draw of 95watts.
This essentially means, the power of these balance scooters combined is only ~180watts, maximum

I would like to know people's thoughts on this information?

And if anyone can confirm my calculations?

Thanks,
Seb

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • botftw on 03/10/2015 - 17:59

    I'd like to know too. Really interested in these scooters, but am worried about the legal implications of using one in public.

    • Randxyz123 on 03/10/2015 - 19:10
      +4

      Saw someone going up Franklin st towards Lygon on one. Also every single YouTuber/Vlogger I watch has one.

      I think it takes a bit of practice but they look so cool!!

      Probably illegal in Australia because we are completely backward with every single piece of technology ever invented (Drones for example)

      I was gonna order one in the next couple of weeks from Amazon but if your company is importing them but if you can(or could in the future) get any deals going for OzBargain that would be pretty awesome!

  • Mad Max on 03/10/2015 - 18:23
    +1

    The importer would need to have it approved and labeled as max 200 watts. I knew 200 watts to be the maximum allowed for unregistered electric scooters or bicycles (in QLD)

  • oscargamer on 03/10/2015 - 18:40

    each state/terr has different rules

    why don't you talk to the roads authority of the state you are looking to sell in?

  • RockyRaccoon on 03/10/2015 - 21:13

    In NSW they are illegal on public road/area (Your profile says you are from Sydney)

    Just look at the RMS website its all there.

    http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/registration/unregistered.ht…

    They say

    In NSW, any device with a motor must be registered for use on a road or road-related area, unless it’s specifically exempt from registration. This section provides information on exempt vehicles.

    Note "specifically exempt" meaning its not legal unless they specifically say its is legal, so in other words its got to be ruled in by RMS to be legal rather than they having to rule it out.

    Its like a segway and that is also specifically covered, like motorised scooters, skateboards etc, to assist understanding further.

    Motorised human transporters such as the WheelMan or SEGWAY

    Key thing here is "such as" which as a Segway is a balanced scooter, one with a stalk vs the one you describe above which doesnt have a stalk but still is "balanced". and these devices are often sold as a Segway type or "improved" Segway etc

    However given that you should just contact the RMS for a ruling

    • Randxyz123 on 03/10/2015 - 23:04
      +1

      Yep just as I thought illegal for no good reason if they don't meet Australian standards then why don't they work out why and have them modified here to meet Australian standards.

      • RockyRaccoon on 04/10/2015 - 06:56

        What is the Australian Standard for these things? Given they are not legal, then I doubt if they have made a "standard"

        Also it's not just the technology that needs to be considered when making things legal,

        We cant even have dedicated bicycle lanes in many parts of the city, plus the furour with motorists vs bicycles with different speeds. Even where I ride my Bicycle on a legally shared path with pedestrians, its hard when 3 people want to walk together and bicycles want to pass, so image where everyone had Segways or similar which are at least 2 bicycles width.

        And then legal for what ages, and do people need formal training on how to use? even on shared pathways some pedestrians/ Cyclists dont stay to the left when passing. There is even talk now to license cyclists and these are human powered devices.

        Not saying it cant be done, but while one or two units of these would be ok, when a lot of people have them, then issues will arise which need to be thought out beforehand.

  • noyesmaybeok on 03/10/2015 - 21:56

    For what it's worth from memory there's a 10/kmh max speed limit on Segways, scooters etc in QLD. Also can't ride them on a road (in theory that would mean need to dismount every intersection?)

    Some of these things are just over-lawed and really not thought out.

  • OBEY YOUR MASTERS on 04/10/2015 - 12:24

    They might be illegal but they are sooooo much fun!

  • razorack999 on 04/10/2015 - 16:39

    are they basically smaller segways without the handle bars?

  • kmwa on 04/10/2015 - 17:41
    +1

    Oh my goodness! They look scarey!
    Your measurements and your calculations at the three different speeds seem correct, but how did you measure them?
    Was the current measured with zero load (with the wheels just spinning in air, or just running along on the flat)?
    Because if you measure it again under load (i.e. with a heavy guy standing on it, going uphill), the current and the power will increase.
    As you are already at 190 watts, it will only take a small increase in power due to the heavy guy/uphill situation to put you over the street-legal 250 watts (probably different in different states). I suspect that you will actually measure total currents/powers approaching 600-700 watts at full speed uphill with a heavy guy.
    And this could have a crippling effect on the battery life. With a battery capacity of 157Wh, going uphill at full speed with a heavy guy may deplete the battery in less than 20 minutes. Yes, I know that's not average usage, I'm just saying. You're more likely to get the 81 minutes that you calculated with average usage.
    Thanks for all the "boring background information on how they work", Seb, I enjoyed reading it.
    Good luck with this venture.

  • Speckled Jim on 08/10/2015 - 10:08

    Unrelated, but interesting I think. From an email received today:
    Self balancing electric unicycle!

  • mel82 on 04/11/2015 - 00:13

    SebNet how has your study and investigations gone into your product? I'm after 1 for a Xmas present but not interested in paying big $$ if I can get 1 that does similar for ALOT less. Your advice and knowledge would be much appreciated

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