Forget the fires: Hoverboards just want a second chance

Don’t look now, but hoverboards are angling for a comeback.

Months ago, the powered scooters – which balance themselves but don’t actually “hover” – largely vanished after they exhibited a distressing tendency to burst into flames.

Now, though, Segway and other manufacturers want consumers to give hoverboards a second chance.

READ MORE:
* Why hoverboards were the ultimate Christmas fail
* Hoverboards are catching on fire
* Boy knocked unconscious after falling off hoverboard

Segway – which also makes the eponymous upright scooter beloved by mall cops and airport security –  has started taking Amazon pre-orders for a new hoverboard, the MiniPro.

Although the boards won’t actually ship until July, it’s a significant step, given that Amazon, Walmart and other retailers dumped the products months ago after videos of burning hoverboards went viral.

The MiniPro and other new scooters have passed new safety standards designed to prevent fires. But that doesn’t mean they’re completely safe – nor that manufacturers like Segway can overcome their enormous image problems.

from Eve’s Feed http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/80657785/Forget-the-fires-Hoverboards-just-want-a-second-chance

from
https://evewilki1971.wordpress.com/2016/06/02/forget-the-fires-hoverboards-just-want-a-second-chance/