Urban Transport

Caseboard electric skateboard knows when to fold 'em

Caseboard electric skateboard knows when to fold 'em
The Caseboard is an electric skateboard that folds in half for carrying like a briefcase when not rolling about
The Caseboard is an electric skateboard that folds in half for carrying like a briefcase when not rolling about
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Epic anticipates the Caseboard to be ready for sale this November, with a price tag around the US$1,199 mark
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Epic anticipates the Caseboard to be ready for sale this November, with a price tag around the US$1,199 mark
The folding board brings with it a speed of 21.5 mph (35 km/h) and a range of 18.5 miles (30 km)
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The folding board brings with it a speed of 21.5 mph (35 km/h) and a range of 18.5 miles (30 km)
The Caseboard looks like a cross between an auto-mechanic's creeper and half a plastic guitar case
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The Caseboard looks like a cross between an auto-mechanic's creeper and half a plastic guitar case
Its creator claims a recharge time of three to five hours for the electric skateboard
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Its creator claims a recharge time of three to five hours for the electric skateboard
The board is controlled by a rechargeable wireless hand controller
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The board is controlled by a rechargeable wireless hand controller
The board’s underside plays host to a 36 V, 7 Ah lithium battery that provides power to a 500 watt brushless motor
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The board’s underside plays host to a 36 V, 7 Ah lithium battery that provides power to a 500 watt brushless motor
The Caseboard is an electric skateboard that folds in half for carrying like a briefcase when not rolling about
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The Caseboard is an electric skateboard that folds in half for carrying like a briefcase when not rolling about
The electric Caseboard is a tad hefty at 25.4 lb (11.5 kg)
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The electric Caseboard is a tad hefty at 25.4 lb (11.5 kg)
The Caseboard’s underside plays host to a 36 V, 7 Ah lithium battery that provides power to a 500 watt brushless motor
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The Caseboard’s underside plays host to a 36 V, 7 Ah lithium battery that provides power to a 500 watt brushless motor
The Caseboard's wireless remote control
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The Caseboard's wireless remote control
The Caseboard is an electric skateboard that folds in half for carrying like a briefcase when not rolling about
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The Caseboard is an electric skateboard that folds in half for carrying like a briefcase when not rolling about
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View gallery - 12 images

Electric skateboards can be a great way to get around town, but it's a different story when it's time to get off the board. The battery and motor that make things so cruisy when the board is underfoot have the opposite effect when its tucked under your arm. And it's not just the weight, with electric skateboards generally featuring a longboard form factor that can be unwieldy to carry. That's why Adam Riley of Epic Skateboards has developed the Caseboard, an electric skateboard that folds in half for carrying like a briefcase when not getting users from A to B.

Unlike like the Fiik, ZBoard, Boosted Board and Evolve electric skateboards that essentially strap a motor, battery and necessary electrics to a wooden longboard, the Caseboard packs everything under a high grade ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) thermoplastic shell and looks like a cross between an auto-mechanic's creeper and half a plastic guitar case. The board will come with grips and, although Riley says the board will be "almost perfectly sealed" and should be able to deal with the odd puddle or two, he recommends steering clear of water.

The Caseboard is an electric skateboard that folds in half for carrying like a briefcase when not rolling about
The Caseboard is an electric skateboard that folds in half for carrying like a briefcase when not rolling about

According to Riley, the folding board can reach speeds of 21.5 mph (35 km/h). The board’s underside playing host to a 36 V, 7 Ah LiFePO4 battery that provides power to a 500 watt brushless motor that drives the 78a wheels, mounted on longboard trucks. Riley claims a recharge time of three to five hours for the battery, which should provide a range of around 18.5 miles (30 km) depending on terrain. The board also features regenerative braking to feed some power back to the battery when slowing down or going down steep hills.

The board is controlled by a rechargeable wireless (2.4 GHz) hand controller that features a five-bar battery indicator to advise riders of how fast they’re going, when the board needs a recharge and when the regenerative braking is engaged. The indicator also informs riders whether they’re in forward or reverse mode and using fast or slow speed settings. And in case you fall off the board, the designer has built in an automatic braking function that will brake the board if it gets more than 15 - 20 ft (4.5 - 6 m) away from the controller.

Epic anticipates the Caseboard to be ready for sale this November, with a price tag around the US$1,199 mark
Epic anticipates the Caseboard to be ready for sale this November, with a price tag around the US$1,199 mark

Weighing in at 25.4 lb (11.5 kg) the board is no lightweight, and heavier than the competitor electric skateboards mentioned above. However, when folded the center section becomes a handle to aid in lugging the board about the train station or up the stairs. Lengthwise, the Caseboard falls into the "longboard norm" at 41 in (104 cm), but with a width of 13.5 in (34 cm) it definitely isn't a slim ride, which may appeal to novice riders. The board stands 5.5 in (14 cm) tall with a wheelbase of 2.1 in (5.5 cm). In "case" mode, it measures 22.4 x 13.4 x 5.9 in (57 x 34 x 15 cm).

Riley has taken to Kickstarter to raise funds for tooling and manufacture to produce the first run of Caseboards. If all goes well, Riley is aiming to begin deliveries from November of this year. Early birds can claim a board for 999 AUD ($US940), with those outside Australia and the continental US required to shell out an additional 200 AUD (US$190) for delivery. The board is set to retail for 1,199 AUD (US$1,130).

The Kickstarter video pitch can be viewed below.

Source: Epic Skateboards

View gallery - 12 images
4 comments
4 comments
The Skud
A clever solution, but a little pricy for the (young?) novice rider. Older prospective riders may prefer one of the many other versions around.
LordInsidious
How does the controller not fit into the case when it's folded up?
Bob Flint
Might also need a sleeve to keep you self clean on those wet & dirty days from standing on the board, and then rubbing against you as it's carried once closed. Maybe spray the deck with everdry?
Michael Crumpton
Great idea, but it looks so ugly that few people will want to buy it. Wouldn't a smaller board with a separate case or bag be better, so you don't have the surface you were just standing on rubbing against your side when you are carrying it?