SANTA CRUZ, California – All models of Onewheel electric skateboards are being recalled by maker Future Motion after reports of four deaths and multiple serious injuries. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall notice for 300,000 self-balancing skateboards, warning people to immediately stop using the skateboards due to the potential for serious injury or death. The deaths resulted from head trauma, with at least three of the riders not wearing helmets. Injuries linked to the skateboards include traumatic brain injury, concussion, paralysis, body fractures, and ligament damage.
Initially, Santa Cruz-based Future Motion refused to agree to a recall when the Consumer Product Safety Commission first warned customers to stop using the skateboards in November. However, they are now cooperating with the recall and are rolling out a firmware update to address the safety issues, utilizing what they call “haptic buzz,” an alert that riders can hear and feel in certain situations that can result in a crash. The firmware update will only be available for select Onewheel products. The company and the Consumer Product Safety Commission are encouraging riders to wear personal safety equipment.
The recall comes after reports of four deaths of users between 2019 and 2021, as well as multiple reports of serious injuries. The skateboards can stop balancing the rider if the boards’ limits are exceeded, posing a crash hazard that can result in serious injury or death. Future Motion is now cooperating with the recall, and the company is taking steps to address the safety concerns, including the development of a firmware update. CNN has reached out to Future Motion for comment.
These safety concerns highlight the importance of ensuring that personal safety equipment is worn when using recreational products, and the cooperation between companies and regulatory agencies to address potential hazards and protect consumers. With the rollout of the firmware update in the coming weeks, Future Motion is taking steps to mitigate the risk of injury for Onewheel users.