BoardUp is the first patented self-folding longboard, requiring no hands to fold. It's easy to fit in your backpack or locker, by your desk, or even in an airplane compartment. The board is a suitable solution for commuters taking bus/train often, college students struggling with their stuff among classrooms and vacationers.
Bin Lu, Founder, inventor and patent owner. He was a senior engineering VP of public trading company Spreadtrum, and a serial entrepreneur.
CJ Terral, Co-founder, working on marketing, public relationship, ect. was a VP of marketing for a few startup.
Many people struggle with their longboards in airports, on the bus, and at coffee shops. Longboards were used on the daily—whether commuting or traveling. However, as soon as people arrived to where they were going, there were no places to store it!
BoardUp's design team wanted to make a board that wouldn't pinch fingers, fold while doing tricks, or sacrifice the familiar longboard feel. After 18 months of trial and error, testing and improving, a few dozens BoardUp pilot run samples were made, and the design team is now working on mass production.
BoardUp's unique design allows easy folding when not in use, but not when riding, so it is safe and very convenient. The specially designed aluminum alloy made hinge has a locking mechanism embedded—it works with the kick pad on the nose to achieve its design goal.
The BoardUp team launched a Kickstarter campaign and has reached their goal by thousands of dollars. If you would like to contribute or preorder, there's still a few days left in their campaign. Check it out here.
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Comments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y91kuGd7y5Y This is a really informational video on the structural integrity of the design. The group that makes these videos do not get to the point fast and are not concise, but the way they treat it testing is like a traditional, freestyle, kicktail oriented (real skateboard) and i think it adds to the article if you have the time to skip through the small talk. This is a really well thought out design that needs more input from skateboarders, longboarders and city commuters to benefit its ease of use in tight maneuverability environments like sidewalks .
The Video is a bit slow. I am the inventor, we get the patent granted. Any thoughts about how to improve it to be better? and where I can find those people online who might be interested? thanks.
Seems to me it would be better to show this product stored somewhere, like in the backpack he's carrying. The way they show it, it's like the kid still has to use an extra hand to hold it; where's the space savings in that? Kids strap their boards to their backpacks, then it's a 'look ma no hands' solution.
Very good point. Thanks.