The preliminary design ideas came from other self balancing scooters (such as hoverboards) currently on the market and from requests made by people. When looking at other self balancing scooters, we wanted to take the best components of the designs and combine them to make the ideal self balancing scooter. In addition to this we wanted to take suggestions from people that have rode on segways before and add or change what they did not like. These included lights on the front and back, an adjustable handle, and blinkers.

The final design was chosen because it incorporated everything that we thought should be included on a self balancing scooter without it being excessive. One of our preliminary designs included a handle that could be lowered and able to be used as a seat. This design would not of been able to work because the way the handle moved to become a seat would make it difficult for the user to place his/her feet on the base while sitting. Another design that was discussed early on was the shape of the original base. It consisted of a “bat-like” design that consisted of a fender that overhung past the wheel. This was not included in the final design because it was unnecessary for this piece to stick out and make the self balancing scooter wider than it had to be. The design we ended up with has the fender covering the wheel, so the user does not touch the spinning tire, while not sticking out and being a hazard.