Embodiments are directed to a support apparatus. The support apparatus might comprise a body configured to support an entity. The body might comprise a material that has a physical property. The support apparatus might further comprise a coupler system configured to couple electric current from a power source to the material. The material is arranged such that coupling an electric current to the material changes the physical property of the material. Embodiments are further directed to a method. The method might comprise forming one or more cavities in a support apparatus. The method might further comprise providing one or more couplers in electrical contact with each of the one or more channels. The method further comprises filling each of the one or more cavities with a fluid that has electrically changeable rigidity. Finally, the method might comprise connecting a power source to each of the one or more couplers.

Skating device (1) provided with a plurality of wheels (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), comprising: an electric motor (3) operatively coupled with at least one wheel (2a) of said plurality of wheels; at least one acceleration sensor (4) operatively coupled with at least one wheel (2a) of said plurality of wheels (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d); at least one speed sensor operatively coupled with at least one wheel (2a) of said plurality of wheels (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d); and at least one control unity adapted to actuate the operations of said electric motor (3) at least when said acceleration sensor (4) detects positive acceleration of said at least one wheel (2a), wherein the amount of electric power supplied by said electric motor to said at least one wheel (2a) is calculated according to the speed measured by said at least one speed sensor (5), at least when said acceleration sensor (4) detects said positive acceleration.

A method of controlling a four-wheel skateboard, the method comprising: applying a load on an induction switch of the four-wheel skateboard, the induction switch starting a power switch of the four-wheel skateboard; driving the four-wheel skateboard to slide by the assistance of the load; controlling and starting a motor, by a controller of the four-wheel skateboard, to drive the four-wheel skateboard to slide; and taking the load off from the induction switch of the four-wheel skateboard and the induction switch shutting down the power switch of the four-wheel skateboard. The four-wheel skateboard relies on the load-assisted driving, not entirely on the driving force of the motor, so that the four-wheel skateboard consumes less electricity for sliding the same distance as conventional skateboards, requires relatively small amounts of lithium-ion batteries, and requires not too large battery capacity and not too high voltage, thus reducing the manufacturing cost of the four-wheel skateboard.

A system for analysis of user gait and foot disorder intended to minimize risks ulceration and limb amputation associated with the uncontrolled increase of the foot temperature in persons with diabetes. This system comprises a motion, force and temperature sensors and a processing element configured to process motion algorithms, measure ground reaction force (GRF) and changes in foot temperature embedded in the footwear insoles in communication with a smartphone based analysis application using wireless radio interface. The analysis application processes data received from the footwear sensors, compares the results with set of criteria and rules, and if any of the predefined criteria is exceeded, provides alerts to the user and the remote medical supervisor. Additionally, the insoles may be equipped with a haptic actuators configured to determine the level of the user neuropathy by measuring vibration perception threshold (VPT) level.

A flyboard comprising a base element and an upper element in communication with each other by magnetic fields having the same polarity and magnetic fields having opposite polarities to permit floatation of the upper element over the lower element while a user is standing on the upper element.

A ski or snowboard edge sharpener may include an abrasive grinding wheel, a belt-driven drive train or direct drive system that connects a motor and grinding wheel drive mechanism and decreases the grinding wheel's speed of rotation relative to the speed of the motor, a grinding wheel mount allowing selection and use grinding wheels of different grits and materials and grinding wheel controls allowing the control of the cut depth and the grinding wheel angles relative to the longitudinal and transverse planes of the ski edge surface to be sharpened. The sharpener may alternatively include a grinding wheel and motor that drives the grinding wheel drive mechanism. Such configurations may allow repeated sharpening of a ski edge at specific/chosen angles with a specific/chosen surface finish. A position lockdown device that is part of each of the control mechanisms and a vacuum system to capture grinding residue may be included.

The subject of the invention is an in-line skate braking system designed to brake in-line skate wheels. This is achieved by an electric motor controlling the action of the brake segment on in-line skate wheels.

A stand-up wheeled vehicle may include an electrically powered wheel and a deck configured to limit a maximum value of an angle of declination of the deck in a forward direction of travel, for example, to less than about 20 degrees, 15 degrees, 10 degrees, or 8 degrees. The deck may be asymmetric, such that a length of a first portion of the deck between the wheel and a first end of the deck is greater than a length of a second portion of the deck between the wheel and a second end of the deck. The deck may include a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a chassis disposed in the second surface. The chassis may have a cavity formed therein configured to receive a stand-up wheeled vehicle. A coupling mechanism may be utilized to removably retain the stand-up wheeled vehicle in the cavity of the chassis.

A modular robotic vehicle (MRV) having a modular chassis configured for a vehicle utilizing two-wheel steering, four-wheel steering, six-wheel steering, eight-wheel steering controlled by a semiautonomous system or an autonomous driving system, either system is associated with operating modes which may include a two-wheel steering mode, an all-wheel steering mode, a traverse steering mode, a park mode, or an omni-directional mode utilized for steering sideways, driving diagonally or move crab like. Accordingly, during semiautonomous control a driver of the modular robotic vehicle may utilize smart I/O devices including a smartphone, tablet like devices, or a control panel to select a preferred driving mode. The driver may communicate navigation instructions via smart I/O devices to control steering, speed and placement of the MRV in respect to the operating mode. Accordingly, GPS and a wireless network provides navigation instructions during an autonomous operation involving driving, parking, docking or connecting to another MRV.

The present invention relates to motorized platforms wearable by a user, for enhancing the speed of walking while maintaining stability and reducing overall weight, due to a simplified structure and relatively modest number of components.