2 wheel electric scooter

Recent buzz has been created with an expensive device that will "transform the world". You can support changing the world or at least that company by coughing up 5 grand, or build a better version yourself.

Gravity helps a lot. So does high school physics. To balance, all you really need is for the center of gravity to be below the center of the wheels. The lower the better.

Take 2 wheels, say 16" diameter. Mount a wide U shaped chassis I-\______/-I The platform of the chassis should be as low as you can get, but about 3” off the ground.

2 Electric motors will drive each wheel. You can use automotive motors such as a windshield wiper motor, which is geared already, but make sure you have a reversible motor. That will make maneuvering in low speeds better as you can turn in place. Use a joystick to control a high amp dual H bridge connected to both motors.

I think that thing will stand on it’s own and not fall over. Reason is that the center of gravity is below the pivot. It will be like the blow up toy that you can punch down and it stands right back up. Once you stand on it, you may think that you immediately fall, but not so. If you stand above the center of gravity, you in fact contribute to the weight below the center pivot. Leaning forward or backwards will exert vertical force, which would have toppled you down, but humans have a natural self-correcting gravity defeating devices called feet. Your natural instincts will keep you standing upright. Make sure you start the motors slowly and slow down gradually and you will maintain balance. If you must, you can paint it gray, add a supercomputer, a T bar for your paws and a “mind reading” gravity sensor (or surplus gyro from avionics of an Cessna). I say keep it simple.