Despite initial fanfare, the Segway never really got a lot of love. It’s far too big, too awkward, and too goofy-looking to ever really catch on. What if someone took the best parts of that design and made it a whole lot more compact? That seems to be what they did here with the Oxboard.
Like the Segway, it has a footboard propped up on two wheels, riding passengers face-forward across sidewalks, walkways, and similar paved paths. Unlike it, both the footboard and the wheels are way more compact, with the large steering column completely eliminated. It is, basically, a motorized skateboard that rides face-forward instead of sideways.
The Oxboard is an electric-powered personal transporter that measures 24.6 x 9.6 x 9.8 inches and weighs around 20 pounds, making it as convenient to carry as a regular skateboard. It can handle riders up to 240 pounds, ferrying them to distances of up to 12 miles on a single charge. Since it doesn’t have handlebars, there’s a small learning curve when it comes to getting a handle on balance and control, which the company claims you should be able to master within half an hour of use.
With its smaller wheels, the device isn’t equipped to ride over surfaces that aren’t flat and dry, so commuting to work on one will depend on individual situations.  It does look like a lot of fun, though, so it might still see a lot of adoption for recreational, short-distance travel.
Available now, the Oxboard retails for €800.