<P> A self - balancing scooter (also "hoverboard", self - balancing board) is a self - balancing personal transporter consisting of two motorized wheels connected to a pair of articulated pads on which the rider places their feet . The rider controls the speed by leaning forwards or backwards, and direction of travel by twisting the pads . </P> <P> Invented in its current form in early 2013, the device is the subject of complex patent disputes . Volume manufacture started in China in 2014 and early units were prone to catch fire due to an overheating battery which resulted in product recalls in 2016, including one of 500,000 units sold in the United States from 8 manufacturers . </P> <P> Shane Chen, an American businessman and founder of Inventist filed a patent for a device of this type in February 2013 and launched a Kickstarter fund - raising campaign in May 2013 . </P>

When did the self balancing scooter come out