RocketSkates let you zip along the sidewalk at a top speed of 12MPH

[Dietrichw]

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Let's nip your enthusiasm right in the bud: No, these motorized skates you see above aren't actually powered by rockets. Now hold on, don't close the browser tab just yet. Just launched on Kickstarter, Acton's RocketSkates do have a rather misleading name. But they're actually quite the improvement over the Spnkix, the company's previous effort at a pair of motorized skates (which, incidentally, unceremoniously crashed our podcast stage during CES 2013). Unlike the Spnkix, the RocketSkates are about six pounds lighter, have four hub motors instead of two, are 15 percent smaller and can zoom up to 12 miles per hour. Oh, and most notably, the RocketSkates don't require a remote to operate. That's right; just like regular skates, these motorized puppies can let you zip around the sidewalk completely hands-free.

 

 It comes with either a large or small foot plate depending on the size of your feet. You'll also have to decide which foot you want to be your lead skate; the lead tells the other skate what to do. To accelerate, simply tilt forward, and to slow down, just tilt back on your heels. Think of them as mini Segways for your feet. Peter Treadway, Acton's co-founder and CTO, says they take a little while to get used to, though he says those new to skating could find it pretty easy to learn. There's an onboard microprocessor in each one and both are powered by a lithium-ion battery pack.

 

The RocketSkates comes in three models -- the R-6 lasts for 45 minutes or 6 miles and comes in "Rocket Red"; the R-8 lasts for 70 minutes or 8 miles and has a "Titanium Chrome" color; while the R-10 lasts for 90 minutes or 10 miles and is available in "Deep Space Black." A pair of skates takes about 90 or so minutes to charge. Acton's transportation designer, Jennifer Choy, gave us a bit of insight behind the RocketSkates unusual design. "The hexagon is represented in our brand, from our logo to our products ... The 'throttle'-like shape of a rocket converges to the logo. The button lighting up is meant to serve as an 'electric' flame." She adds, "the RocketSkates is meant to invoke the feeling of a futuristic, industrial vehicle."

 

If that sounds like an enticing proposition, you'll have to pay a pretty penny for it. The regular retail prices for these skates are $499 for the R-6, $599 for the R-8 and $699 for the R-10. Still, it appears several people do find it appealing enough to shell out a few bucks. A few hours into the 45-day Kickstarter and Acton has already sold out of its "Rocket Deal" where you could get a pair of the R-6 skates for $199 each. If you hurry, you can still snag a pair for around $100 to $200 off the retail price, and developers can grab the $499 pack if they want a chance to dig around the SDK. If the skates do reach their goal of $50,000, you can expect the first units to ship starting this September.

[Misanthrope]

Motorized skates....I'm pretty sure this are actually designed by a traumatologist looking to get a few more rolled ankles and broken bones into his practice when it gets slow.

[Oshino Shinobu]

This will spawn a new surge of Youtube videos with kids faceplanting into the pavement. 

[Hidden Orange]

Cool. Now if only we could streamline this. Yes, Shadow's the first thing that came to mind when I saw the RocketSkates.

[onionring]

This will spawn a new surge of Youtube videos with kids faceplanting into the pavement.

i don t see the problem...

natural selection at its best...

jk

[The_Strict_Nein]

You also get the look like the world lowest budget Transformer

[Thorium19]

i don t see the problem...

natural selection at its best...

jk

Now now, don't go all Darwin awards on us

[Wauthar]

It is a pretty cool idea, but these are the ugliest thing you could strap to your feet. You'd be better off with a pair of "cement shoes".

Also, 45 min isn't very long, is it?

[onionring]

It is a pretty cool idea, but these are the ugliest thing you could strap to your feet. You'd be better off with a pair of "cement shoes".

Also, 45 min isn't very long, is it?

 

you could get the 90 min version... and if you use it in your commute (you could instead of walking) you could charge it at work, etc...