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Future Motion Onewheel skateboard; design defects, repair restrictions, litigation against 3rd parties

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Revision as of 11:47, 18 January 2025 by InTransparencyWeTrust (talk | contribs) (merge category for Anti-consumer behavior)
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Future Motion's Anti-Consumer Practices

Background

Future Motion, founded in 2013, manufacturers the Onewheel self-balancing electric skateboard. Development of the product was funded via Kickstarter in 2014[1]; and Future Motion have since implemented a number of practices which have been accused of being anti-consumer [citation needed ] .

Anti-Repair Measures

Hardware Restrictions

Future Motion has implemented several hardware-based repair restrictions:

  • The Onewheel GT features a "bricking" mechanism that disables the device if the battery is disconnected[2]
  • Custom fasteners designed that make repair more difficult:
    • Bespoke bolts on the Pint model prone to stripping[3]
    • Custom 5-point security pentalobe enclosure screws
    • Proprietary Ribe 8/Torx Plus 45 hub bolts on GT models

Software Restrictions

  • Removed diagnostic capabilities from official app:
    • Battery cell voltage readings removed in v2.0.18[4]
    • Encrypted diagnostic data to prevent third-party apps from accessing information
    • Removed battery capacity and regeneration data
    • Eliminated board orientation angle readings

Service Restrictions

  • Refuses to service boards with any missing internal components, even if unrelated to repair need[5]
  • No longer services older models like V1 or Plus, contrary to public claims[6]
  • Documented cases of removing third-party accessories during service without permission[7]

Legal Actions Against Third Parties

Lawsuits & Cease & Desist Orders

Future Motion has taken aggressive legal action against:

  • JW Batteries - Sued over battery modification solutions[8]
  • The Float Life - Cease & desist over fender design
  • Land-Surf - Cease & desist regarding bumper designs
  • OneWave App - DMCA takedown of third-party diagnostic app[9]

Retailer Restrictions

Future Motion imposes strict controls on authorized retailers:

  • Prohibited from selling non-FM accessories
  • Cannot perform any board service[10]
  • Must cover costs of OEM repairs for factory-defective inventory
  • Banned from online sales

Quality Control Issues

Battery Concerns

  • Used lower quality Samsung 30Q cells in 2018 4208 XR models
  • Reintroduced these less reliable cells in 2021 Black Friday models[11]
  • Removed ability to monitor individual cell voltages, making montioring battery health impossible
  • Covered battery packs in foam to prevent visual inspection[12]

Pint X Battery Design Flaw

Overview

In 2022, a dangerous design flaw was found in the Onewheel Pint X model affecting all units produced before June 2023. The flaw involves an improper battery box design that causes wiring to chafe against the battery balancing & thermistor wiring[13]. Over time & depending on riding conditions, this can lead to:

  • Shredded wire insulation
  • Flattened wires
  • Complete wire breaking
  • Risk of fire hazard
  • Sudden board shutdown while riding

The issue affects the XT60 power feed's negative wire, which can break & cause loss of power while riding.

Safety Implications

Future Motion claimed their Battery Management System (BMS) could detect these errors & initiate "extreme pushback" as a safety measure. However, this claim is technically impossible when wires are physically disconnected or shorting[14]. A device cannot stay powered on to do anything - including extreme pushback - when the positive and negative terminals of its main power source are shorted together

Future Motion's Response

  • Future Motion email to customer about Onewheel Pint X Battery issue, part 1
    Future Motion email to customer about Onewheel Pint X Battery issue, part 1
  • Future Motion email to customer about Onewheel Pint X Battery issue, part 2
    Future Motion email to customer about Onewheel Pint X Battery issue, part 2

The company's handling of this problem shows several concerning practices:

  • Initially offered to repair affected boards under warranty (June 2023)
  • Later reversed position, requiring customers to pay full replacement costs (October 2024)
  • Refused warranty coverage if customers had inspected their boards
  • Failed to issue a recall for pre-June 2023 boards despite ongoing issues
  • Used warranty void stickers to discourage inspection, potentially violating the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act[15]

How this affects customers

This issue further exemplified Future Motion's commitment to anti-consumer practices:

  • Denying warranty coverage for user inspection of safety issues
  • Lack of transparency about known defects
  • Shifting repair costs to consumers for manufacturer defects
  • Using warranty terms to discourage safety inspections
  • Failing to take proactive safety measures

Legal Implications

The company's warranty practices potentially violate the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which stipulates that a warranty cannot be voided by consumer actions unrelated to the product fault. Simply inspecting the battery does not cause wire chafing or damage[16].

This situation represents an example of a manufacturer:

  • Prioritizing liability protection over consumer safety
  • Using warranty terms to discourage safety inspections
  • Failing to properly address known design defects
  • Shifting costs of manufacturer defects to consumers

JW Batteries Lawsuit

Background

In 2021, Future Motion filed a lawsuit against JW Batteries LLC, a small business offering aftermarket battery options for Onewheel products. This case represents an example of Future Motion's legal tactics against third-party repair & modification services[17].

Legal Claims

Future Motion's lawsuit focused on three main claims:

  • Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) violations regarding circumvention of board software
  • Computer Fraud & Abuse allegations related to "protected systems"
  • Trademark infringement regarding the use of "XR" branding on aftermarket products

The lawsuit specifically targeted JW Batteries' JWFFM chip, which allowed users to bypass Future Motion's software restrictions on battery modifications.

Effects on Customers

This legal action had several effects on the Onewheel community:

  • Reduced availability of third-party repair options
  • Increased consumer costs for repairs & modifications
  • Created a chilling effect on other aftermarket manufacturers that they too could be subject to expensive legal proceedings
  • Generated community backlash against Future Motion's practices & products

Legal Implications

This case highlights aspects of modern consumer rights:

  • Use of DMCA to prevent physical product modifications
  • Assertion of continued control over sold products through software locks; you bought it, but Future Motion dictates how you can use it.
  • Legal pressure against small businesses providing alternative repair methods

Response

JW Batteries issued a public statement defending consumer rights:

  • JW emphasized consumers' right to modify items they bought & paid for
  • Refused to be "bullied into submission" by Future Motion
  • Intended to find legal counsel to fight the claims
  • Received lots of community support[18]

This lawsuit follows a theme of manufacturers using legal action to assert control over products after the sale, & prevent third-party repairs or modifications, even when such modifications may benefit consumers. The case shows the modern trend of using software-based restrictions & intellectual property law to limit consumer rights that traditionally existed for physical products.

Negative Impacts on customers

Lack of Documentation

  • No release notes for firmware updates
  • No technical documentation beyond basic user manual
  • No communication about known issues or safety concerns
  • Forces community to rely on trial & error for troubleshooting

Customer Choice Limitations

  • Can't repair boards independently for many issues
  • Forced dependency on manufacturer for basic maintenance
  • Risk of permanent device disablement from basic repairs
  • International customers face high shipping costs & delays for repairs that could be performed locally

References

  1. ↑ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/4422853/onewheel-the-self-balancing-electric-skateboard
  2. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/groups/900823147225858/posts/978467216128117
  3. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/groups/onewheelownersgroup/posts/2981015408853676/
  4. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/groups/537477343058935/posts/1080100488796615/
  5. ↑ https://i.imgur.com/LtnuP3D.png
  6. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/groups/537477343058935/posts/2034357400037581/
  7. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/groups/537477343058935/posts/1943847089088613
  8. ↑ https://fallman.tech/jw-batteries-sued-by-future-motion/
  9. ↑ https://github.com/ponewheel/android-ponewheel/issues/86#issuecomment-459901546
  10. ↑ https://imgur.com/AmAGu6k
  11. ↑ https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pnx9ACQ4fUvMoxl50AGAwsqAA-tIwwCq/view
  12. ↑ https://drive.google.com/file/d/19vcdlJElyif1Z_W55xWMeV68mavA3Wtn/view
  13. ↑ https://www.pintxflaw.com/
  14. ↑ https://www.pintxflaw.com/
  15. ↑ https://www.pintxflaw.com/
  16. ↑ https://www.pintxflaw.com/
  17. ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/onewheel/comments/pyxob7/a_word_from_our_friends_at_jw_batteries_in/
  18. ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/onewheel/comments/pyxob7/a_word_from_our_friends_at_jw_batteries_in/
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