Consumer_Action_Taskforce

Future Motion: Difference between revisions

← Older edit
VisualWikitext
Copy editing
Mr Pollo (talk | contribs)
596 edits
mNo edit summary
 
(12 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Future Motion]], founded in 2013, manufacturers the [[Onewheel]], a self-balancing electric skateboard. Development of the product was funded through Kickstarter in 2014,<ref>https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/4422853/onewheel-the-self-balancing-electric-skateboard</ref> and Future Motion has since implemented a number of practices which have been accused of being anti-consumer.{{Citation needed}}
{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Future Motion Inc.
| Type = Private
| Founded = 2013
| Industry = Electric vehicle
| Official Website = https://futuremotion.com/
| Logo = FutureMotionInc.png
}}
[[Future Motion|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</ref> Development of the [[wikipedia:Onewheel|Onewheel]] was funded through Kickstarter in 2014,<ref>https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/4422853/onewheel-the-self-balancing-electric-skateboard</ref> and Future Motion has since implemented a number of practices which have been accused of being anti-consumer.{{Citation needed}}


==Anti-repair measures==
==Consumer-impact summary==
====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>


===Hardware restrictions===
====Business model====
====Market control====
 
==Incidents==
 
===Restrictions===
====Hardware restrictions====
Future Motion has implemented several hardware-based repair restrictions:
Future Motion has implemented several hardware-based repair restrictions:


Line 12: Line 29:
**Proprietary Ribe 8/Torx Plus 45 hub bolts on GT models
**Proprietary Ribe 8/Torx Plus 45 hub bolts on GT models


===Software restrictions===
====Software restrictions====
*Removed diagnostic capabilities from official app:
*Removed diagnostic capabilities from official app:
**Battery cell voltage readings removed in v2.0.18<ref>https://www.facebook.com/groups/537477343058935/posts/1080100488796615/</ref>
**Battery cell voltage readings removed in v2.0.18<ref>https://www.facebook.com/groups/537477343058935/posts/1080100488796615/</ref>
Line 19: Line 36:
**Eliminated board orientation angle readings
**Eliminated board orientation angle readings


===Service restrictions===
====Service restrictions====
[[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/</ref>
*No longer services older models like V1 or Plus, contrary to public claims<ref>https://www.facebook.com/groups/537477343058935/posts/2034357400037581/</ref>
*Documented cases of removing third-party accessories during service without permission<ref>https://www.facebook.com/groups/537477343058935/posts/1943847089088613</ref>
*Documented cases of removing third-party accessories during service without permission<ref>https://www.facebook.com/groups/537477343058935/posts/1943847089088613</ref>


==Legal actions against third parties==
====Retailer restrictions====
[[File:FutureMotion Service Center Email 2017.png|right|thumb|Retailer restrictions point #2 example]]
Future Motion imposes strict controls on authorized retailers:
 
*Prohibited from selling non-FM accessories
*Cannot perform any board service<ref>https://imgur.com/AmAGu6k</ref>
*Must cover costs of OEM repairs for factory-defective inventory
*Banned from online sales
 
===Legal actions against third parties===


===Lawsuits and cease-and-desist orders===
====Lawsuits and cease-and-desist orders====
Future Motion has taken aggressive legal action against:
Future Motion has taken aggressive legal action against:


Line 34: Line 61:
*OneWave App: [[DMCA]] takedown of third-party diagnostic app<ref>https://github.com/ponewheel/android-ponewheel/issues/86#issuecomment-459901546</ref>
*OneWave App: [[DMCA]] takedown of third-party diagnostic app<ref>https://github.com/ponewheel/android-ponewheel/issues/86#issuecomment-459901546</ref>


===Retailer restrictions===
Future Motion imposes strict controls on authorized retailers:


*Prohibited from selling non-FM accessories
===Quality-control issues===
*Cannot perform any board service<ref>https://imgur.com/AmAGu6k</ref>
*Must cover costs of OEM repairs for factory-defective inventory
*Banned from online sales


==Quality-control issues==
====Battery concerns====
 
===Battery concerns===
*Used lower-quality Samsung 30Q cells in 2018 4208 XR models
*Used lower-quality Samsung 30Q cells in 2018 4208 XR models
*Reintroduced these less reliable cells in 2021 Black Friday models<ref>https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pnx9ACQ4fUvMoxl50AGAwsqAA-tIwwCq/view</ref>
*Reintroduced these less reliable cells in 2021 Black Friday models<ref>https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pnx9ACQ4fUvMoxl50AGAwsqAA-tIwwCq/view</ref>
Line 50: Line 70:
*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</ref>


==Pint X's battery design flaw==
===Pint X's battery design flaw===
 
===Overview===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Screenshot 20230701-012831 Firefox.jpg|Onewheel Pint X battery issue, customer photo, credit https://www.pintxflaw.com/
File:Screenshot 20230701-012831 Firefox.jpg|Onewheel Pint X battery issue, customer photo, credit https://www.pintxflaw.com/
Line 60: Line 78:
File:20230622 133030.jpg|Onewheel Pint X battery issue, customer photo, credit https://www.pintxflaw.com/
File:20230622 133030.jpg|Onewheel Pint X battery issue, customer photo, credit https://www.pintxflaw.com/
File:Screenshot 20230622-125623 Discord-498x1024.jpg|Onewheel Pint X battery issue, customer photo, credit https://www.pintxflaw.com/
File:Screenshot 20230622-125623 Discord-498x1024.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>https://www.pintxflaw.com/</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/</ref>. Over time and depending on riding conditions, this can lead to:


*Shredded wire insulation
*Shredded wire insulation
Line 70: Line 88:
The issue affects the XT60 power feed's negative wire, which can break and cause loss of power while riding.
The issue affects the XT60 power feed's negative wire, which can break and cause loss of power while riding.


===Safety implications===
====Safety implications====
Future Motion claimed its Battery Management System (BMS) could detect these errors and initiate "extreme pushback" as a safety measure. This claim, however, is technically impossible when wires are physically disconnected or shorting.<ref>https://www.pintxflaw.com/</ref> A device cannot stay powered on to do anything, including extreme pushback, when the positive and negative terminals of its main power source are shorted together.  
Future Motion claimed its Battery Management System (BMS) could detect these errors and initiate "extreme pushback" as a safety measure. This claim, however, is technically impossible when wires are physically disconnected or shorting.<ref name="PXF" /> A device cannot stay powered on to do anything, including extreme pushback, when the positive and negative terminals of its main power source are shorted together.  


===Future Motion's response===
====Future Motion's response====
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Update-2024-pint-x-battery-balance-leads-pinched-fm-denies-v0-68bx09ah37wd1-709x1536.webp|Future Motion email to customer about Onewheel Pint X battery issue, part 1
File:Update-2024-pint-x-battery-balance-leads-pinched-fm-denies-v0-68bx09ah37wd1-709x1536.webp|Future Motion email to customer about Onewheel Pint X battery issue, part 1
Line 83: Line 101:
*Refused warranty coverage if customers had inspected their boards
*Refused warranty coverage if customers had inspected their boards
*Failed to issue a recall for pre-June 2023 boards despite ongoing issues
*Failed to issue a recall for pre-June 2023 boards despite ongoing issues
*Used warranty void stickers to discourage inspection, potentially violating the [[Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act]]<ref>https://www.pintxflaw.com/</ref>
*Used warranty void stickers to discourage inspection, potentially violating the [[Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act]]<ref name="PXF" />


===Effect on customers===
====Effect on customers====
This issue further exemplified Future Motion's commitment to anti-consumer practices:
This issue further exemplified Future Motion's commitment to anti-consumer practices:
*Denying warranty coverage for user inspection of safety issues
*Denying warranty coverage for user inspection of safety issues
Line 93: Line 111:
*Failing to take proactive safety measures
*Failing to take proactive safety measures


===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>https://www.pintxflaw.com/</ref>.
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 102: Line 120:
*Shifting costs of manufacturer defects to consumers
*Shifting costs of manufacturer defects to consumers


==Lawsuit against JW Batteries==
===Lawsuit against JW Batteries===
 
===Background===
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://www.reddit.com/r/onewheel/comments/pyxob7/a_word_from_our_friends_at_jw_batteries_in/</ref>.
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://www.reddit.com/r/onewheel/comments/pyxob7/a_word_from_our_friends_at_jw_batteries_in/</ref>.


===Legal Claims===
====Legal Claims====
Future Motion's lawsuit focused on three main claims:
Future Motion's lawsuit focused on three main claims:


Line 116: Line 132:
The lawsuit specifically targeted JW Batteries' JWFFM chip, which allowed users to bypass Future Motion's software restrictions on battery modifications.
The lawsuit specifically targeted JW Batteries' JWFFM chip, which allowed users to bypass Future Motion's software restrictions on battery modifications.


===Effects on Customers===
====Effects on Customers====
This legal action has had several effects on the Onewheel community:
This legal action has had several effects on the Onewheel community:


Line 124: Line 140:
*Generated community backlash against Future Motion's practices and products
*Generated community backlash against Future Motion's practices and products


===Legal implications===
====Legal implications====
This case highlights aspects of modern consumer rights:
This case highlights aspects of modern consumer rights:


Line 131: Line 147:
*Legal pressure against small businesses providing alternative repair methods
*Legal pressure against small businesses providing alternative repair methods


===Response===
====Response====
JW Batteries issued a public statement defending consumer rights:
JW Batteries issued a public statement defending consumer rights:
*JW emphasized consumers' right to modify items they bought and paid for
*JW emphasized consumers' right to modify items they bought and paid for
Line 140: Line 156:
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.


==Negative impacts on customers==
===Negative impacts on customers===
===Lack of documentation===
====Lack of documentation====
*No release notes for firmware updates
*No release notes for firmware updates
*No technical documentation beyond basic user manual
*No technical documentation beyond basic user manual
Line 147: Line 163:
*Forces community to rely on trial and error for troubleshooting
*Forces community to rely on trial and error for troubleshooting


===Limitations on customer choice===
====Limitations on customer choice====
*Cannot repair boards independently for many issues
*Cannot repair boards independently for many issues
*Forced dependency on manufacturer for basic maintenance
*Forced dependency on manufacturer for basic maintenance
*Risk of permanent device disablement from basic repairs
*Risk of permanent device disablement from basic repairs
*International customers face high shipping costs and delays for repairs that could be performed locally
*International customers face high shipping costs and delays for repairs that could be performed locally
==Products==
*Onewheel
*Onewheel+
*Onewheel+ XR (2018)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/review/review-onewheel-xr/|first=Adrienne|last=So|title=Review: Onewheel+ XR|work=Wired|date=2018-10-05|access-date=2025-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005144521/https://www.wired.com/review/review-onewheel-xr/|archive-date=2018-10-05|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Onewheel Pint (2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://onewheel.com/pages/pint|title=Onewheel Pint|work=Onewheel.com|access-date=2025-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216194121/https://onewheel.com/pages/pint|archive-date=2023-12-16|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Onewheel Pint X (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://onewheel.com/pages/onewheel-pint-x|title=Onewheel Pint X|work=Onewheel.com|access-date=2025-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216194334/https://onewheel.com/pages/onewheel-pint-x|archive-date=2023-12-16|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Onewheel GT (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://onewheel.com/pages/onewheel-gt|title=Onewheel GT|work=Onewheel.com|access-date=2025-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216194121/https://onewheel.com/pages/onewheel-gt|archive-date=2023-12-16|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Onewheel GT S-Series (2023)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://onewheel.com/pages/onewheel-gt-s-series|title=Onewheel GT S-Series|work=Onewheel.com|access-date=2025-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027190434/https://onewheel.com/pages/onewheel-gt-s-series|archive-date=2023-10-27|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Onewheel Pint S (2024)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://onewheel.com/pages/onewheel-pint-s|title=Onewheel Pint S|work=Onewheel.com|access-date=2025-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906205015/https://onewheel.com/pages/onewheel-pint-s|archive-date=2024-09-06|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Onewheel XR Classic (2024)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://onewheel.com/pages/onewheel-xr-classic|title=Onewheel XR Classic|work=Onewheel.com|access-date=2025-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108034423/https://onewheel.com/pages/onewheel-xr-classic|archive-date=2024-11-08|url-status=live}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 157: Line 184:


[[Category:Right to repair]]
[[Category:Right to repair]]
[[Category:Future Motion]]
Retrieved from "https://consumerrights.wiki/wiki/Future_Motion"