A device with rotatable footpads for locomotion simulation in a virtual reality environment and method for same are disclosed. The apparatus comprises; a stanchion for supporting two footpads, wherein the two footpads rotate on an axis passing through the stanchion; a plurality of sensors that detect the rotation of each footpad; and a controller transmitting signals from the plurality of sensors representing the rotation of each footpad to a virtual reality system. The method for using the apparatus comprises: stabilizing footpads of a virtual reality locomotion apparatus using motors controlled by a locomotion controller; detecting the rotation of the footpads on an axis passing through the footpads via sensors of the footpads that detect rotation of the footpads; and transmitting a digital representation of the rotation of the footpads to a virtual reality system.

A controller for an electric skateboard is provided. The controller includes a pistol-grip housing configured to fit in a palm of a hand of a user of the electric skateboard; an accelerator trigger positioned on an upper front portion of the pistol-grip housing, and configured to be actuated by a first finger of the hand when the pistol-grip housing is gripped; a brake trigger positioned on an upper rear portion of the pistol-grip housing, and configured to be actuated by a thumb of the hand when the pistol-grip housing is gripped; and a display screen positioned on a front upper portion of the pistol-grip housing above the accelerator trigger and forwardly of the brake trigger, and configured to be viewed by the user when the pistol-grip housing is gripped.

Method for coupling a sensor to a piece of equipment, such as a golf club, baseball bat, or tennis racket, that ensures that the sensor is in a known position and orientation relative to the equipment. Compensates and calibrates for degrees of freedom introduced in manufacturing and installation. The method may include manufacturing a sensor receiver that aligns with equipment in a fixed orientation, and that holds a sensor housing in a fixed orientation relative to the receiver. Remaining uncertainties in sensor position and orientation may be addressed using post-installation calibration. Calibration may include performing specific calibration movements with the equipment and analyzing the sensor data collected during these calibration movements.

A backpack is disclosed for a personal transport vehicle including, in some embodiments, a back piece including a molded front panel, a securing device, a padded back panel, and a shoulder strap system. The molded front panel includes at least two ridges configured for placement of at least a portion of a body of the personal transport vehicle between the ridges. The securing device, which is attached to a first ridge of the ridges, is configured to cross over the molded front panel to a second ridge of the ridges to secure the body of the personal transport vehicle between the ridges when present. The padded back panel is configured to rest against a backpack wearer's back. The shoulder strap system includes a pair of shoulder straps extending from a top portion of the back piece, across the back panel, and to a medial portion of the back panel.

Methods and apparatus are discussed for an electric-powered personal transportation vehicle with a composite board to support a weight of a user, one or more wheels driven by one or more electric motors, where the electric motors are powered by one or more batteries. The composite board includes a heterogeneous mix of individual components making up the composite board. The composite board includes i) a spine of the composite board made of a hardwood material connected to ii) sides of the composite board made of a vibration-dampening, high-density, foam.

Methods and apparatus are discussed for an electric powered personal transportation vehicle with electric motors powered by one or more batteries. A battery pack storage enclosure i) contains a set of pocket cores. The first battery pack storage enclosure has a rigid internal structure that has a set of pocket cores that hold the battery cells in place and ii) contains a metal mid-plate that functionally transfers thermal heat rapidly through a metal mass of the metal mid-plate to smooth out spikes of local temperatures when an initial battery cell overheats and fails in order to minimize the heat from the initial battery cell failure from propagating and causing a neighboring battery cell to also fail from the heat.

Methods and apparatus are discussed for an electric powered personal transportation vehicle with electric motors powered by one or more batteries. A set of universal battery mounting hole locations and a reserved space for one or more battery housings exist on a board for the personal transportation vehicle. The reserved space on the board for the one or more battery housings that house one or more battery packs is set to not interfere with an operation of the motors or the wheels. A first battery pack containing the one or more batteries differs in at least one of i) a different amp-hour capacity, ii) a different length, width, or height, and iii) a different shape than another battery pack designed to be physically contained in the one or more battery housings and electrically connect with corresponding electrical connections in the one or more battery housings.

A personal transport system is provided including, in an embodiment, an electrically powered vehicle, a companion remote control, and a companion mobile phone application. The vehicle includes an operator-supporting deck, one or more deck-mounted trucks, one or more axle-mounted wheels on each of the one or more trucks, one or more batteries, and a deck lighting system. The one or more batteries power a motor configured to drive the wheels by way of a pulley system, at least one battery of which is disposed under a battery enclosure. The battery enclosure has a first light indicator system, and the companion remote control has a second light indicator system, each of which is configured for communicating with the operator. The deck lighting system includes a light strip of light-emitting diodes disposed in a groove of the deck configured to change state to communicate with the operator or others sharing a road.

A system for control of a mobility device comprising a controller for analyzing data from at least one sensor on the mobility device, wherein the data is used to determine the gait trajectory of a user. The gait data is then used to provide motion command to an electric motor on the mobility device.

A powered board vehicle can include a deck having a support surface, a rear wheel assembly, and a front wheel assembly. The support surface can include a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a neck that connects the forward portion with the rearward portion. The forward portion, the rearward portion, and the neck can be integrally formed. The rear wheel assembly can include a powered rear wheel. The front wheel assembly can include at least one front wheel configured to swivel about a first axis and rotate about a second axis.