SBU Design

SBU (Self Balancing Unicycle) Design

The SBU is a revolutionary gyro stabilized, accelerometer driven, battery powered, clean “green” vehicle.  This cutting edge transportation vehicle is affordable, reliable, environmentally clean, and totally fun.  The SBU is easy to ride, it takes the average rider about an hour to learn.  The SBU controls the forward and backward balance while the rider balances left and right.  It’s a unique blend of machine and human balancing.  The rider controls the speed by leaning forward or backward to speed up or stop.  There is no need to pedal, in fact there are no crank arms, just foot rests. The SBU stays upright by utilizing advanced electronics including accelerometers and gyroscopes with sophisticated balancing algorithms.  It’s truly an experience like no other.

The Process in Pictures
Lots of great ideas start as sketches on napkins.  The SBU is one of them.  Long before its body took shape in aluminum, its every detail was rendered in computerized 3d graphics.  Want to see how it evolved along the way?  Ya, we would to, but those napkins… well, they probably were used to clean up some spill or dirty mouth.  But, not to worry, we are searching the archives to find some of the early prototype drawings.
Under the Skin
The highly purposeful design of the SBU shows up in its many multi-use components.  There’s a battery bag that’s both functional and structural, the soft materials of the bag double as energy-absorbing zones, and a high-performance DC motor that can run forward and backward.  The SBU control module performs several critical functions, including motor speed control, motor torque control, and regenerative braking control.  Of course the most notable thing inside the SBU is the battery itself, our LiFePO4 lithium-ion nano-phosphate battery is safe, lightweight, and able to take you more than 10 miles between charges.
Beauty in Color
The SBU is available in a color that goes with everything, black.  Black is the new red, as they say, and the black SBU is no exception.  Black metallic frame, black seat, black chain guard, black tire tube filler on a black wheel.  This baby is hot, black hot.

One Outstanding Safety Feature:  The Wheel
The contact patch created by the tire is crucial to safety.  The SBU starts with a superior rubber knobby tread tire fitted onto a 20″ alloy wheel supported by precision bearings attached to a rugged chromoly steel frame.  Our fully independent suspension, your butt, ensures that the wheel works independently to hold optimal tire-to-ground contact for active safety through rider control.  Our wheel is constructed from an alloy for low mass and high strength.  The unique design of this wheel has double the spokes of a standard unicycle wheel, 48 spokes baby.
The Most Crucial Few Seconds
No self balancing unicycle manufacturer can prevent accidents, but we’ve done everything in our power to minimize the likelihood of one occurring and maximizing safety in case one ever does.  A rider wears shoes on his or her feet which can be quickly dropped from the support pedals resulting in shorter stopping distances and helps maintain unicyle control even under emergency braking conditions.  The chromoly steel frame and deluxe imitation leather seat envelops the rider in a protective cocoon of safety.  The SBU features rider head protection when the rider wears the proper helmet or head protection gear.  The SBU also features front, rear and side energy absorbing zones, these are commonly refered to as your knees, elbows, face and butt.

Safety testing in Vancouver, Washington, United States of America
In August 2008 our engineer / inventor / janitor traveled with one of the prototype SBUs to Vancouver, Washington, United States of America, to perform safety testing. Located approx 1 mile from the local bubble tea provider and vehicle refueling station, Vancouver is one of the US’s most extreme locations favored by self balancing unicycle manufacturers worldwide for testing.  We used local sidewalks and skate parks in the area to put the SBU through its paces.  For a sample of some of the tests we performed, take a look at the videos in our media section.
Accelerator
We take another high-speed drive with the SBU, this time in a circular pattern in a specialized vehicle testing area (a local grocery store parking lot) that demonstrates fine turning of the SBU’s accelerator control.
With Charging, It’s Safety First
We’re committed to making sure the charging process and the battery won’t pose a safety issue to you, your butt (since the battery is right below it), or anyone stumbling around your personal transportation device.  For starters, the plug on the High Power Connector unit is very low power, 36VDC to be exact, the name High Power Connector is probably a little misleading for the low power charging connector – we may change the name, stay tuned.  The battery pack is also protected with a MAXI fuse which should provide protection in all over-current situations.
Fall Detection and Protection
The SBU is equipped with fall detection which disables the SBU’s motor if a fall is detected.  The SBU is also equipped with a safety disable switch which has a 50″ lanyard attached.  The lanyard is designed to be attached to the rider’s clothing, if the rider and the SBU become separated the SBU will shut down and patiently wait for the rider to return to it’s seat.

Power is All About Safety
Focus Design’s engineer selected cells from a reputable battery supplier that has produced a whole bunch of safe, reliable cells.  We combined this basic proven cell technology with our own unique battery architecture to provide multiple layers of protection.  Focus Design’s SBU uses a safe and efficient battery that propels the SBU over 10 miles on a single charge.

Security Measures
An open cockpit self balancing unicycle as beautiful and desirable as the SBU demands the highest level of security against theft or unauthorized use.  We’ve built in a host of safeguards that combine proven theft prevention technology with innovative features.
Alarm System
The SBU is not equipped with an alarm system as standard equipment, in fact it’s not even an option.  But that’s ok – really.  We recommend chaining a guard dog of some sort to the SBU for the ultimate protection (guard dog not included with the SBU.)
Key
A comprehensive security feature of the SBU is the personal pocket sized unique metal security device, a key.  Amazing!

Valet Mode
Peace of mind while enjoying a dinner or event with valet parking is at your fingertips.  While in Valet Mode, which is the same as “on”, the SBU runs, drives and handles the same as it normally would.  In fact there really is no Valet Mode, but you can tell the valet that it logs his or her every move and they will probably be much easier on the SBU while finding a parking space for it.

The SBU, where beauty, functionality, safety and security converge.