This weekly series finds the L.A. residents, businesses and organizations dedicated to living greener, cleaner and more sustainable lifestyles. These local movers and shakers show us that living a “greener” lifestyle may be the first step we need to take in order to solve our environmental woes.

Week Seven

Z Board co-creator Ben Forman cruises down a beach boardwalk on a Z Board. (Courtesy of Intuitive Motion)

Two former USC engineering students took on the task of coming up with a mode of transportation for the distances that are too far to walk, but too short to drive.

Neon Tommy sits down with USC alum Ben Forman (riding a Z Board in the picture on the right) and Geoff Larson, inventors of the Intuitive Motion Z Board, the first truly hands-free electric skateboard. Their eco-friendly board uses rechargeable, removable and replaceable battery power.

NT: How did you come up with idea for the Z Board?

BF: We came up with the idea for a class we took during the winter of 2009. We were given a proposal to create a "smart skateboard." It was left open-ended for us to take it any direction we wanted.

To us, a smart skateboard meant functionality, something that was easier to ride and minimized challenges. We began with a one-wheeled board that eventually turned into a motorized skateboard. 

NT: How is your product eco-friendly?

GL: The Z Board is eco-friendly in many different aspects. In L.A., many people will drive short distances because those distances are a little too far to walk. Our board is beneficial to those who have a commute between one-half and two miles. Use of the Z Board reduces a person's carbon footprint and also takes more cars off the road.

The use of a rechargeable battery also cuts down on the emission of fossil fuels, so we embrace the idea of the California movement (Assembly Bill 32) to develop emissions standards and reduce car pollution.

Rendering of the Z Board. (Courtesy of Intuitive Motion)

NT: How exactly does the Z Board work?

BF: Our product is a mix between a segway and a skateboard. The more you lean forward on the board, the faster you go. The speed ranges from three to 15 miles per hour. The more you lean back, the faster you break. There are specially designed foot pads and sense weight distribution to determine your speed.

NT: Can anyone ride the Z Board?

GL: If you understand the basic concept of how to ride a skateboard, you don't need much experience to ride the Z Board. If you've never ridden a skateboard, it might take up to an hour at most to develop a proficiency. It's a relatively short period of time compared to learning how to ride a regular skateboard.

If you do have experience, it's an instantaneous learning curve.

NT: Where can you get one?

BF: You can buy one directly from us by going to our website, www.intuitivemotion.com. 

NT: Why is it called the Z Board?

GL: We brainstormed for a while to come up with a name, and ended on the Z Board because it's catchy, and it signifies zero pushing - anyone who rides our board does not have to propel with their feet. The board is also zero emission and has zero direct impact on the environment.

To reach reporter Amanda Tran, click here.
Follow her on Twitter: @amandajtran.

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