Single-wheeled GeoBlade electric skateboard is straight out of a sci-fi movie
LAS VEGAS -- Last year, Hoverboard Technologies' Robert Bigler came by Mashable HQ in New York to show me the Hoverboard, a skateboard deck with a disc-shaped wheel at its center.
As futuristic as the Hoverboard was, it was just too expensive at $4,000 for the fully-loaded model. With the product's failed Kickstarter under his belt, Bigler returned to CES 2017 to show a cheaper version called the GeoBlade.
The GeoBlade doesn't stray from the Hoverboard design. It still looks like a personal transporter straight out of a sci-fi movie, it's still tricked out with LED lights and has built-in Bluetooth speakers to blast your tunes. The overall design has been cleaned up to look sleeker, too.
But now you'll actually be able to afford one. Bigler said they're aiming to sell the GeoBlade for no more than $1,500, less than half the cost of the most expensive Hoverboard model.
To shave the price down, Bigler had to give up on manufacturing the personal electric vehicle in the U.S. The GeoBlade, like so many technology products, will instead be produced in China.
Shifting production to China doesn't mean Bigler has lost sight of building a quality rideable. In fact, Bigler and Hoverboard Technologies are doubling down on safety on the GeoBlade by making its batteries removable.
Instead of using a built-in rechargeable battery like the Hoverboard had, the GeoBlade has slots for two removable batteries, each capable of providing up to 10 to 20 miles of range in total. Bigler pointed to the exploding Galaxy Note7 smartphones as one reason why he decided to go with removable batteries.
The GeoBlade also comes with an upgraded wheel -- it's now a pneumatic tire that's better for "land surfing" up hills and on city streets.
"It's real transportation. It's not a toy," said Bigler.
The cheaper GeoBlade doesn't mean compromises on speed, either. The rideable still travels at up to 16 miles per hour.
Unfortunately, Hoverboard Technologies couldn't figure a way to make the GeoBlade lighter. It still weighs 25 pounds -- the same as the Hoverboard. And there's still a steep learning curve before you can start shredding the concrete streets.
Who knows if the GeoBlade will ever be a hit with consumers, but at least the company is finally making it affordable for more than just the rich when it comes out in March.
Topics CES
Raymond Wong is Mashable's Senior Tech Correspondent. He reviews gadgets and tech toys and analyzes the tech industry. Raymond's also a bit of a camera geek, gamer, and fine chocolate lover. Before arriving at Mashable, he was the Deputy Editor of NBC Universal's tech publication DVICE. His writing has appeared on G4TV, BGR, Yahoo and Ubergizmo, to name a few. You can follow Raymond on Twitter @raywongy or Instagram @sourlemons.
