Securing OW from powering on

[schreda]

This would be a killer feature, if it would be possible to protect the OW from powering on with a password or even better by fingerprint with the OW App.

[skyman88]

@schreda

I wouldn't want it... too much risk of falling and cracking your phone or something going wrong. This request has come up in the past but folks were definitely not all on board.

[OneDan+]

@skyman88 agree, it would open up another potential point of failure
@schreda perhaps a physical power on "key" that only allows the board to operate when inserted, rather than a button.

The stories I've seen where someone just powers on the board and rides away could be solved by something like this. It would be much easier to catch someone lugging away a OneWheel than watching them ride away on your expensive toy!

[schreda]

@OneDan That sounds like a good idea. A physical security lock like we have it in our cars would be a good solution! Sometimes i need to leave the onewheel outside of a building and then i secure it with a robust bike lock chain around the metal frame next to the wheel. But i always have to carry that heavy lock chain..

[skyman88]

@schreda

So you’d leave your board outside without a physical lock on it? I’d strongly recommend always securing it if you do need to leave it out of sight. Too easy to pick up and run/walk away with.

The only people that would know your OW wasn’t rideable would be another OW owner. Likewise, how many people have been able to jump on your board and starting riding well enough to flee a crime scene? If someone is riding off with your board it sounds like another OW owner

[MANthrax]

This security weakness needs to be addressed. People car jack and steal sneakers from people. As these become more and more popular theft will become a bigger problem. I would not buy these for kids for that very reason. These boards need an EIN type number making them useless to a thief to prevent theft. All it will take is a rash of thefts or OW jackings to hamper sales. Please make this a priority.

[wheelrich]

In theory I like the idea. But considering how flakey the iPhone app is, going off and on all the time, I wouldn't trust it for keeping my board powered on.

[MANthrax]

@OneDan - I'm afraid of a car pulling up or bumping me, or pointing a gun at me then throwing it in their car and driving off.

[OneDan+]

@MANthrax Well, I'd be afraid of that too, but if someone pulls a gun on me for my OneWheel, they can have it. Life's too short.

[readysetawesome]

I want to incorporate this somehow:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B88DI98/ref=s9_acsd_topr_hd_bw_b6GQDIR_cr_x__w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-3&pf_rd_r=ST8WM32BNVFDN3EW072B&pf_rd_r=ST8WM32BNVFDN3EW072B&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=87ece8a5-4ef6-5807-a1a8-245acf00d6a0&pf_rd_p=87ece8a5-4ef6-5807-a1a8-245acf00d6a0&pf_rd_i=5739466011

[skyman88]

@readysetawesome

It's been done once... but the board needed work at some point and I don't know what happened from there.

[tomfoolery]

@readysetawesome I like the idea but what happens when you’re riding and that keys sticking out and snags on something and breaks off in the lock?

[readysetawesome]

@tomfoolery Different switch locks work differently but you can get one that is removable in both on and off positions. That's necessary for Option A - it works as an interrupt-style switch that just enables or disables the existing power button. Option B is to replace the original power switch completely with the locking switch mechanism and just turn it to "on" briefly in order to simulate the power button push, immediately back to off, then remove the key. So with Option B you need the key to power off as well.

[Coeurmasque]

Why not keep it simple? A lockable cover over the power button? That way the internals stay the same.
Although, I do not know why you would not just carry the board wherever you are going. Even if it were some sort of secured building, I'm sure there are trustworthy personnel whose reception area will hold it.

[tomfoolery]

I wonder if there is a design for a “boot” like lock similar to ones they put on cars that is small and portable or that possibly shows attached to the board.

[PKinthewater]

I was thinking about getting this bike lock with built in audible alarm. They advertise you carrying your surfboard down to the beach, but I wouldn't leave that OW laying around while I was out there catching some waves unlocked.

[tomfoolery]

@PKinthewater not a bad idea. Running down the street with a board that was beeping would certainly draw attention to it. Wonder what kind of “lo jack” system you could use to track it after that though.

[quickroll]

@schreda I would want the feature to prevent my teen kids (or anyone else without my express permission) from riding the board when I'm away. We lock our phones with a PIN or pattern, lock our houses with keys and our cars with fobs. I even prevent inadvertent app purchases with some secondary security. Why not for the OW too?

[Maverick]

I know it's a stretch, but I'd love to see provision for using an NFC key, like a yubikey or one of the NFC rings, to lock/unlock the Onewheel.

[causticgrip]

I addressed this directly with FM a month ago with this suggestion:

To prevent unwanted access, use/theft of ones OW, why not have the unit ping the mobile device that is synced with, to be active.

Use finger prints/facial recognition to “unlock” the OW for use? Also, for potential hijacks, have the OW cut out when out of range of the mobile device and have the app contain a “kill switch”.

Should be an easy code.

This was their response:

Thank you for the note. We are highly appreciative when riders like you send in suggestions. I think that is an awesome idea and I will pass this email on to the proper department.

Thanks again for reaching out and most importantly, have fun shredding!

All the best,
Maddi

I expect some form of my suggestion to be implemented into the app in the future by the sounds of it.