ENGS 89/90 Reports

Year of Graduation

2023

Project Advisor

Minh Phan

Instructor

Chris Magoon

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2023

Abstract

To address the inherent instability of skateboards, our team collaborated with Lean Steer Difference LLC. to develop their concept of a dynamically actuated skateboard. The board considers both speed and the rider’s tilt angle to determine the optimal turning radius, balancing centripetal acceleration with the force of gravity on the rider. To achieve this, the board incorporates three major design innovations that depart from a standard skateboard. First, it breaks away from the typical design of skateboard kingpin trucks—the parts that connect the wheels to the board—to create a new design that decouples leaning and steering. Second, it utilizes a combination of sensors and software to determine the speed and tilt angle of the board, which it uses to calculate the optimal turning radius. Finally, the board uses this turning radius to steer the trucks with motors to the necessary turning angles. Our team integrated these innovations into an initial prototype, and we also developed a testing rig that can be attached to any skateboard. This testing rig allows us to simulate a rider on the board safely while collecting data on the dynamics and operation of the board. With this setup, we could quantify the behavior of standard trucks and compare it to our new trucks. Additionally, our sponsor can continue testing using the test rig after we conclude our portion of the project. Finally, all our work includes the necessary documentation for the continued development of the technology by a new team.

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