Daniel Wood is an American inventor and entrepreneur, best known for creating the first commercially available self-balancing unicycle.[1] He is currently the founder and CEO of Focus Designs. He is also the Director of Control Systems at Future Motion as well as an advisory council member at RYNO Motors.[2]
Daniel Wood | |
|---|---|
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| Occupation(s) | Inventor, Entrepreneur |
| Employer(s) | CEO, Focus Designs |
| Known for | Inventor of self-balancing unicycle |
Career
editWood's early career began with U.S. Digital, a manufacturer of optical encoders based in Washington. He dropped out of high school and became a self-taught engineer, leading to his job at U.S. Digital.[1] After a layoff from the company, it was difficult for him to find work due to not having a degree which most engineering jobs required.[3] Competing in a difficult job market without a degree caused Wood to pursue his hobby which led to the creation of the self-balancing unicycle.[3] Wood had previously invented a device called the Gimpy, a Segway-like device that was remote controlled. Wood used parts of this invention to help create the self-balancing unicycle.[4] Despite there being self-balancing unicycles and concept vehicles built by hobbyists prior to Wood's invention, he is attributed as the first to make one available commercially.
Wood is the founder of Focus Designs, a company that distributes the self-balancing unicycle that Wood invented.[1] He spent more than two years developing the technology. Despite electric unicycles being produced before Wood's product, his vehicle was attributed as the first to combine a gyroscope with a one wheeled vehicle to assist with rider's forward and reverse balance.[1] In 2012, Wood appeared on an episode of the Shark Tank where he pitched his idea to potential investors. He was offered $300,000 for a 30% stake in the company, an offer that he eventually turned down.[5][6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Brettman, Allan (25 May 2009). "Vancouver engineer invents self-balancing unicycle". Oregon Live. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- ^ "Onewheel Alpha Build, Improving the Ride Experience and Maker Faire". Kickstarter. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
- ^ a b Lochrie, Christy. "Wheel of fortune?". Vancouver Business Journal. Archived from the original on 30 September 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- ^ Manus, Jonathan (2 February 2010). "Local shop first in nation to sell Self-Balancing Unicycle". Bike Portland. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- ^ Williams, Christina (20 November 2012). "Focus Designs selling one-wheeled EV for commuter's last mile". Portland Business Journals. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- ^ Vogt, Tom (7 September 2013). "Peddling with the Sharks". The Columbian. Retrieved 25 September 2014.