Completed
BrooksBoard
An electric longboard rebuilt for travel, night rides, and the small conversations that happen when people ask what I am riding.
Quick overview In plain language
What it does
My electric longboard, rebuilt for travel and night rides. It has custom lighting and contact tags people can tap with their phones.
My contribution
I integrated the motors, battery, electronics, and enclosure, then revisited the wiring and added the lighting and contact-sharing features.
Where it stands
The build and rebuild are completed. It’s a personal transport project that I’ve continued to refine.
Overview
BrooksBoard started as my first electric transport build. The early version was mostly about getting motors, batteries, drivetrain, and basic packaging to work together. The newer version is more personal: cleaner electronics, better wiring, under-deck LEDs, and a way to share my contact info when I am carrying bags, wearing gloves, or already halfway into a conversation.
NFC Tags
The board carries NFC tags for contact sharing. When I meet people on trips, at events, or around town, they can tap and get my info without me digging for a phone or card while I am geared up. It fits how I use the board as transportation, yes, but also as a little moving conversation starter.
Lighting
The LEDs underneath are controlled by an ESP32, giving the board a visible night-riding signature and a platform for experimenting with patterns, modes, and future ride-reactive behavior. It is the kind of detail that makes the build feel more finished without turning the electronics into a fragile showpiece.
What Changed
MK2 was a chance to go back with more experience and clean up the things I understood only after building the first version. The work shifted from proving the drivetrain could move me around to making the board easier to live with: tidier electronics, clearer service points, better integration, and a stronger reason for every extra feature on the deck.
How it works
System overviewBlock diagram
The drivetrain and lighting are shown as separate systems. These are functional relationships, not a wiring diagram.
Electric drive
- BatteryStored energy
- Drive electronicsManage power to the drivetrain
- Motors + drivetrainMove the board
Lighting
- ESP32Lighting control
- Under-deck LEDsDisplay patterns and modes
- Visible signatureA personal detail for night rides
Contact sharing with a tapFlow chart
- 01Tap an NFC tag
- 02Open the link on a phone
- 03View my contact information
Explore another build
Moji