CPSC Recall & Firmware Update

What does this recall actually mean? Our Founder and CEO, Kyle Doerksen, breaks it down:

"The requirement to use the term "recall" for this type of announcement with the CPSC has caused some public confusion. Most riders think of it as a “firmware update” rather than a recall where you send the product back to the manufacturer. The fact is, overnight, the vast majority of Onewheels in circulation just got better. We are proud to have innovated an exciting new safety feature. That is the core of last week’s recall and has allowed us to turn the page on this chapter.

I think points of comparison are important. New technologies are often subject to much more scrutiny than products that people are already familiar with. If you look at actual safety per mile traveled or per user, Onewheels are comparable to bicycles and much safer than motorcycles. Of course, there is always risk when moving through the world at speed which is why wearing a helmet is so important with a product like ours."

Kyle then explains, "As we said in response to the CPSC’s statement last year, Onewheels do not have faulty components and they do not suddenly shut-off. We’ve always taken the position that Onewheels are as safe as any other board sport. Nevertheless, over the last year, we have continued to work with the CPSC on ways to enhance safety and the overall experience for Onewheel riders.

The haptic buzz safety feature took a huge amount of work and ingenuity to develop. It uses the motor to create feedback the rider can both feel and hear in addition to the Pushback warning. We are really excited to outfit our riders with another valuable safety feature. Every new board will now ship from the factory with haptic buzz installed."