Future Motion: Difference between revisions
Added archive URLs for 11 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot |
mNo edit summary |
||
| (4 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Cleanup}} | |||
{{CompanyCargo | {{CompanyCargo | ||
|Founded=2013 | |Founded=2013 | ||
|Industry=Electric vehicles, Skateboards | |Industry=Electric vehicles, Skateboards | ||
|Logo= | |Logo=Future Motion Inc logo.png | ||
|ParentCompany= | |ParentCompany= | ||
|Type=Private | |Type=Private | ||
|Website=https://futuremotion.com/ | |Website=https://futuremotion.com/ | ||
|Description= | |||
}} | }} | ||
==Consumer | '''Future Motion Inc.''' is a self-balancing electric skateboard manufacturer founded in 2013 by Kyle Doerksen.<ref name="about">https://onewheel.com/pages/about-us ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260101052007/https://onewheel.com/pages/about-us Archived])</ref> Future Motion has implemented a number of practices which have been accused of being anti-consumer.{{Citation needed}} | ||
==Consumer impact summary== | |||
{{Incomplete section}} | {{Incomplete section}} | ||
===Freedom=== | |||
===Privacy=== | |||
In 2021, Future Motion accidentally shared a list of customer information with a customer, which included full names and home addresses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/onewheel-sent-thousands-of-customers-private-data-to-random-customer/|title=Onewheel Sent Thousands of Customers’ Private Data to Random Customer|first=Lorenzo|last=Franceschi-Bicchierai|work=Vice|date=2021-06-10|access-date=2025-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320200937/https://www.vice.com/en/article/onewheel-sent-thousands-of-customers-private-data-to-random-customer/|archive-date=2025-03-20|url-status=live}}</ref> | In 2021, Future Motion accidentally shared a list of customer information with a customer, which included full names and home addresses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/onewheel-sent-thousands-of-customers-private-data-to-random-customer/|title=Onewheel Sent Thousands of Customers’ Private Data to Random Customer|first=Lorenzo|last=Franceschi-Bicchierai|work=Vice|date=2021-06-10|access-date=2025-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320200937/https://www.vice.com/en/article/onewheel-sent-thousands-of-customers-private-data-to-random-customer/|archive-date=2025-03-20|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===Business model=== | |||
===Market control=== | |||
==Incidents== | ==Incidents== | ||
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]]. | |||
===Restrictions=== | ===Restrictions=== | ||
| Line 39: | Line 42: | ||
====Service restrictions==== | ====Service restrictions==== | ||
[[File:FutureMotion | [[File:FutureMotion lost motor email 2022.png|right|thumb|Service restrictions point #1 example]] | ||
*Refuses to service boards with any missing internal components, even if unrelated to repair need<ref>https://i.imgur.com/LtnuP3D.png</ref> | *Refuses to service boards with any missing internal components, even if unrelated to repair need<ref>https://i.imgur.com/LtnuP3D.png</ref> | ||
*No longer services older models like V1 or Plus, contrary to public claims<ref>https://www.facebook.com/groups/537477343058935/posts/2034357400037581/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708192831/https://www.facebook.com/groups/537477343058935/posts/2034357400037581/ Archived])</ref> | *No longer services older models like V1 or Plus, contrary to public claims<ref>https://www.facebook.com/groups/537477343058935/posts/2034357400037581/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708192831/https://www.facebook.com/groups/537477343058935/posts/2034357400037581/ Archived])</ref> | ||
| Line 45: | Line 48: | ||
====Retailer restrictions==== | ====Retailer restrictions==== | ||
[[File:FutureMotion | [[File:FutureMotion service center email 2017.png|right|thumb|Retailer restrictions point #2 example]] | ||
Future Motion imposes strict controls on authorized retailers: | Future Motion imposes strict controls on authorized retailers: | ||
| Line 70: | Line 73: | ||
*Reintroduced these less reliable cells in 2021 Black Friday models<ref>https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pnx9ACQ4fUvMoxl50AGAwsqAA-tIwwCq/view ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251231100203/https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pnx9ACQ4fUvMoxl50AGAwsqAA-tIwwCq/view Archived])</ref> | *Reintroduced these less reliable cells in 2021 Black Friday models<ref>https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pnx9ACQ4fUvMoxl50AGAwsqAA-tIwwCq/view ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251231100203/https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pnx9ACQ4fUvMoxl50AGAwsqAA-tIwwCq/view Archived])</ref> | ||
*Removed ability to monitor individual cell voltages, making montioring battery health impossible | *Removed ability to monitor individual cell voltages, making montioring battery health impossible | ||
*Covered battery packs in foam to prevent visual inspection<ref>https://drive.google.com/file/d/19vcdlJElyif1Z_W55xWMeV68mavA3Wtn/view</ref> | *Covered battery packs in foam to prevent visual inspection<ref>https://drive.google.com/file/d/19vcdlJElyif1Z_W55xWMeV68mavA3Wtn/view ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708192811/https://drive.google.com/file/d/19vcdlJElyif1Z_W55xWMeV68mavA3Wtn/view Archived])</ref> | ||
===Pint X's battery design flaw=== | ===Pint X's battery design flaw=== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File: | File:Onewheel Pint X battery design flaw 6.jpg|Onewheel Pint X battery issue, customer photo, credit https://www.pintxflaw.com/ | ||
File: | File:Onewheel Pint X battery design flaw 5.jpg|Onewheel Pint X battery issue, customer photo, credit https://www.pintxflaw.com/ | ||
File: | File:Onewheel Pint X battery design flaw 4.jpg|Onewheel Pint X battery issue, customer photo, credit https://www.pintxflaw.com/ | ||
File: | File:Onewheel Pint X battery design flaw 3.jpg | ||
File: | File:Onewheel Pint X battery design flaw 2.jpg|Onewheel Pint X battery issue, customer photo, credit https://www.pintxflaw.com/ | ||
File: | File:Onewheel Pint X battery design flaw.jpg|Onewheel Pint X battery issue, customer photo, credit https://www.pintxflaw.com/ | ||
</gallery>In 2022, a dangerous design flaw was found in the Onewheel Pint X model, affecting all units produced before June 2023. The flaw involves an improper battery-box design that causes wiring to chafe against the battery-balancing and thermistor wiring<ref name="PXF">https://www.pintxflaw.com/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251110124450/https://www.pintxflaw.com/ Archived])</ref>. Over time and depending on riding conditions, this can lead to: | </gallery>In 2022, a dangerous design flaw was found in the Onewheel Pint X model, affecting all units produced before June 2023. The flaw involves an improper battery-box design that causes wiring to chafe against the battery-balancing and thermistor wiring<ref name="PXF">https://www.pintxflaw.com/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251110124450/https://www.pintxflaw.com/ Archived])</ref>. Over time and depending on riding conditions, this can lead to: | ||
| Line 95: | Line 98: | ||
====Future Motion's response==== | ====Future Motion's response==== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File: | File:Future Motion response to customer 1.webp|Future Motion email to customer about Onewheel Pint X battery issue, part 1 | ||
File: | File:Future Motion response to customer 2.webp|Future Motion email to customer about Onewheel Pint X battery issue, part 2 | ||
</gallery>The company's handling of this problem shows several concerning practices: | </gallery>The company's handling of this problem shows several concerning practices: | ||
| Line 114: | Line 117: | ||
====Legal implications==== | ====Legal implications==== | ||
The company's warranty practices potentially violate the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which stipulates that a warranty cannot be voided by consumer actions unrelated to the product fault. Simply inspecting the battery does not cause wire chafing or damage<ref name="PXF" /> | The company's warranty practices potentially violate the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which stipulates that a warranty cannot be voided by consumer actions unrelated to the product fault. Simply inspecting the battery does not cause wire chafing or damage.<ref name="PXF" /> | ||
This situation represents an example of a manufacturer: | This situation represents an example of a manufacturer: | ||
| Line 123: | Line 126: | ||
===Lawsuit against JW Batteries=== | ===Lawsuit against JW Batteries=== | ||
In 2021, Future Motion filed a lawsuit against JW Batteries LLC, a small business offering aftermarket battery options for Onewheel products. This case represents an example of Future Motion's legal tactics against third-party repair and modification services<ref>https:// | In 2021, Future Motion filed a lawsuit against JW Batteries LLC, a small business offering aftermarket battery options for Onewheel products. This case represents an example of Future Motion's legal tactics against third-party repair and modification services.<ref>https://old.reddit.com/r/onewheel/comments/pyxob7/a_word_from_our_friends_at_jw_batteries_in/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20211001014250/https://old.reddit.com/r/onewheel/comments/pyxob7/a_word_from_our_friends_at_jw_batteries_in/ Archived])</ref> | ||
====Legal Claims==== | ====Legal Claims==== | ||
| Line 154: | Line 157: | ||
*Refused to be "bullied into submission" by Future Motion | *Refused to be "bullied into submission" by Future Motion | ||
*Intended to find legal counsel to fight the claims | *Intended to find legal counsel to fight the claims | ||
*Received lots of community support<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/onewheel/comments/pyxob7/a_word_from_our_friends_at_jw_batteries_in/</ref> | *Received lots of community support<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/onewheel/comments/pyxob7/a_word_from_our_friends_at_jw_batteries_in/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20211001014250/https://old.reddit.com/r/onewheel/comments/pyxob7/a_word_from_our_friends_at_jw_batteries_in/ Archived])</ref> | ||
This lawsuit follows a theme of manufacturers using legal action to assert control over products after the sale, and prevent third-party repairs or modifications, even when such modifications may benefit consumers. The case shows the modern trend of using software-based restrictions and [[Intellectual property|intellectual-property]] law to limit consumer rights that traditionally existed for physical products. | This lawsuit follows a theme of manufacturers using legal action to assert control over products after the sale, and prevent third-party repairs or modifications, even when such modifications may benefit consumers. The case shows the modern trend of using software-based restrictions and [[Intellectual property|intellectual-property]] law to limit consumer rights that traditionally existed for physical products. | ||
| Line 183: | Line 186: | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | |||
[[Category: | [[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Companies]] | ||