Future Motion: Difference between revisions
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[[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}} | |||
== | ==Anti-repair measures== | ||
===Hardware restrictions=== | |||
=== Hardware | |||
Future Motion has implemented several hardware-based repair restrictions: | Future Motion has implemented several hardware-based repair restrictions: | ||
* The Onewheel GT features a "bricking" mechanism that disables the device if the battery is disconnected<ref>https://www.facebook.com/groups/900823147225858/posts/978467216128117</ref> | *The Onewheel GT features a "bricking" mechanism that disables the device if the battery is disconnected<ref>https://www.facebook.com/groups/900823147225858/posts/978467216128117</ref> | ||
* Custom fasteners designed that make repair more difficult: | *Custom fasteners designed that make repair more difficult: | ||
** Bespoke bolts on the Pint model prone to stripping<ref>https://www.facebook.com/groups/onewheelownersgroup/posts/2981015408853676/</ref> | **Bespoke bolts on the Pint model prone to stripping<ref>https://www.facebook.com/groups/onewheelownersgroup/posts/2981015408853676/</ref> | ||
** Custom 5-point security pentalobe enclosure screws | **Custom 5-point security pentalobe enclosure screws | ||
** Proprietary Ribe 8/Torx Plus 45 hub bolts on GT models | **Proprietary Ribe 8/Torx Plus 45 hub bolts on GT models | ||
=== Software | ===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> | ||
** Encrypted diagnostic data to prevent third-party apps from accessing information | **Encrypted diagnostic data to prevent third-party apps from accessing information | ||
** Removed battery capacity and regeneration data | **Removed battery capacity and regeneration data | ||
** Eliminated board orientation angle readings | **Eliminated board orientation angle readings | ||
=== Service | ===Service restrictions=== | ||
* 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 | ==Legal actions against third parties== | ||
=== Lawsuits | ===Lawsuits and cease-and-desist orders=== | ||
Future Motion has taken aggressive legal action against: | Future Motion has taken aggressive legal action against: | ||
* JW Batteries | *JW Batteries: Sued over battery modification solutions<ref>https://fallman.tech/jw-batteries-sued-by-future-motion/</ref> | ||
* The Float Life - | *The Float Life: Cease-and-desist over fender design | ||
* Land-Surf - | *Land-Surf: Cease-and-desist regarding bumper designs | ||
* OneWave App | *OneWave App: [[DMCA]] takedown of third-party diagnostic app<ref>https://github.com/ponewheel/android-ponewheel/issues/86#issuecomment-459901546</ref> | ||
=== Retailer | ===Retailer restrictions=== | ||
Future Motion imposes strict controls on authorized retailers: | Future Motion imposes strict controls on authorized retailers: | ||
* Prohibited from selling non-FM accessories | *Prohibited from selling non-FM accessories | ||
* Cannot perform any board service<ref>https://imgur.com/AmAGu6k</ref> | *Cannot perform any board service<ref>https://imgur.com/AmAGu6k</ref> | ||
* Must cover costs of OEM repairs for factory-defective inventory | *Must cover costs of OEM repairs for factory-defective inventory | ||
* Banned from online sales | *Banned from online sales | ||
== Quality | ==Quality-control issues== | ||
=== Battery | ===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> | ||
* 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</ref> | ||
== Pint X | ==Pint X's battery design flaw== | ||
=== Overview === | ===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 63: | Line 60: | ||
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 | </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: | ||
* Shredded wire insulation | *Shredded wire insulation | ||
* Flattened wires | *Flattened wires | ||
* Complete wire breaking | *Complete wire breaking | ||
* Risk of fire hazard | *Risk of fire hazard | ||
* Sudden board shutdown while riding | *Sudden board shutdown while riding | ||
The issue affects the XT60 power feed's negative wire, which can break | The issue affects the XT60 power feed's negative wire, which can break and cause loss of power while riding. | ||
=== Safety | ===Safety implications=== | ||
Future Motion claimed | 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's | ===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 | 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-r8wbovi9j7wd1-691x1536.webp|Future Motion email to customer about Onewheel Pint X | File:Update-2024-pint-x-battery-balance-leads-pinched-fm-denies-v0-r8wbovi9j7wd1-691x1536.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: | ||
* Initially offered to repair affected boards under warranty (June 2023) | *Initially offered to repair affected boards under warranty (June 2023) | ||
* Later reversed position, requiring customers to pay full replacement costs (October 2024) | *Later reversed position, requiring customers to pay full replacement costs (October 2024) | ||
* 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 | *Used warranty void stickers to discourage inspection, potentially violating the [[Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act]]<ref>https://www.pintxflaw.com/</ref> | ||
=== | ===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 | ||
* Lack of transparency about known defects | *Lack of transparency about known defects | ||
* Shifting repair costs to consumers for manufacturer defects | *Shifting repair costs to consumers for manufacturer defects | ||
* Using warranty terms to discourage safety inspections | *Using warranty terms to discourage safety inspections | ||
* Failing to take proactive safety measures | *Failing to take proactive safety measures | ||
=== Legal | ===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>https://www.pintxflaw.com/</ref>. | ||
This situation represents an example of a manufacturer: | This situation represents an example of a manufacturer: | ||
* Prioritizing liability protection over consumer safety | *Prioritizing liability protection over consumer safety | ||
* Using warranty terms to discourage safety inspections | *Using warranty terms to discourage safety inspections | ||
* Failing to properly address known design defects | *Failing to properly address known design defects | ||
* Shifting costs of manufacturer defects to consumers | *Shifting costs of manufacturer defects to consumers | ||
== JW Batteries | ==Lawsuit against JW Batteries== | ||
=== Background === | ===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 | 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: | ||
* Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) violations regarding circumvention of board software | *[[Digital Millennium Copyright Act]] (DMCA) violations regarding circumvention of board software | ||
* Computer Fraud | *[[Computer Fraud and Abuse Act]] (CFAA) allegations related to "protected systems" | ||
* Trademark infringement regarding the use of "XR" branding on aftermarket products | *Trademark infringement regarding the use of "XR" branding on aftermarket products | ||
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 had several effects on the Onewheel community: | This legal action has had several effects on the Onewheel community: | ||
* Reduced availability of third-party repair options | *Reduced availability of third-party repair options | ||
* Increased consumer costs for repairs | *Increased consumer costs for repairs and modifications | ||
* Created a chilling effect on other aftermarket manufacturers that they too could be subject to expensive legal proceedings | *Created a [[chilling effect]] on other aftermarket manufacturers that they too could be subject to expensive legal proceedings | ||
* Generated community backlash against Future Motion's practices | *Generated community backlash against Future Motion's practices and products | ||
=== Legal | ===Legal implications=== | ||
This case highlights aspects of modern consumer rights: | This case highlights aspects of modern consumer rights: | ||
* Use of DMCA to prevent physical product modifications | *Use of DMCA to prevent physical product modifications | ||
* Assertion of continued control over sold products through software locks | *Assertion of continued control over sold products through software locks: you bought it, but Future Motion dictates how you can use it. | ||
* 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 | *JW emphasized consumers' right to modify items they bought and paid for | ||
* 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/</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. | |||
=== Lack of | ==Negative impacts on customers== | ||
* No release notes for firmware updates | ===Lack of documentation=== | ||
* No technical documentation beyond basic user manual | *No release notes for firmware updates | ||
* No communication about known issues or safety concerns | *No technical documentation beyond basic user manual | ||
* Forces community to rely on trial | *No communication about known issues or safety concerns | ||
*Forces community to rely on trial and error for troubleshooting | |||
=== | ===Limitations on customer choice=== | ||
* | *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 | *International customers face high shipping costs and delays for repairs that could be performed locally | ||
== References == | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Right to repair]] | [[Category:Right to repair]] | ||