SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – All OneWheel electronic skateboards are being recalled following reported injuries and deaths. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall notice for 300,000 self-balancing skateboards, warning people to immediately stop using them due to a crash hazard that can result in serious injury or death. The recall comes after the maker, Future Motion, received reports of four deaths of users between 2019 and 2021 as well as multiple reports of serious injuries.
The deaths resulted from head trauma, and in at least three of those cases, the rider was not wearing a helmet, the agency said. The injuries linked to the skateboards included traumatic brain injury, concussion, paralysis, body fractures, and ligament damage. Future Motion initially refused to agree to a recall in November when the Consumer Product Safety Commission first warned customers to stop using the skateboards. However, the company is now cooperating with the recall and rolling out a firmware update to address the safety issues.
The firmware update will roll out in a few weeks and is only available for Onewheel GT, Pint X, Pint, and XR products, not the original Onewheel and Onewheel+ skateboards. Future Motion and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission have encouraged riders to wear personal safety equipment. CNN has reached out to Future Motion for comment.
In light of this recall, riders should take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety while using electronic skateboards. All riders are encouraged to adhere to safety guidelines and use personal safety equipment while riding. The firmware update will be available for select Onewheel products and should be implemented as soon as possible to address the identified safety issues. It is important for riders to prioritize their safety and take the necessary steps to prevent potential injuries while using electronic skateboards.