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TILTO was an experimental, home-built electric self-balancing vehicle designed by Argentine inventor Marcelo Fornaso. A 2011 report described its defining twist on the Segway idea: instead of using handlebars to steer, the rider leaned sideways as the platform and wheels tilted. The report gave it a maximum range of 15 km (9.32 miles) and a top speed of 20 kph (12 mph), but those figures were not independently verified.
What was TILTO?
New Atlas reported on June 20, 2011, that Fornaso and friends built TILTO from scratch in Buenos Aires. It was a one-person electric vehicle intended to balance while moving forward, moving backward, or standing still. The project was an experimental prototype, not a commercial Segway model.
The 2011 article situated TILTO among other self-balancing, single-seat electric concepts, including the Solowheel and Honda U3-X. Those vehicles provide context, but the report does not suggest they shared TILTO’s engineering.
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Leaning to turn
Rather than turning a handlebar or steering wheel, a rider steered by leaning to one side. The report says TILTO’s platform and wheels tilted with the rider. Fornaso described the wheel response this way: “It produces the left wheel to accelerate and the right wheel to decelerate proportionally,” he said.
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Electronic balancing
The report says TILTO used multiple accelerometers and gyro sensors, together with a microprocessor and control software, to manage balance. It does not identify the sensor models, motors, battery chemistry, or a complete parts list, so those details cannot be inferred from the description.
What speed and range did the 2011 report give?
| Reported measure | Figure in New Atlas’s June 20, 2011 report | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum range | 15 km (9.32 miles) | Reported prototype specification; not independently verified in the available sources. |
| Top speed | 20 kph (12 mph) | Reported prototype specification; not independently verified in the available sources. |
These are historical figures attributed to the 2011 report, not results from an independent test or confirmed specifications for a product available to buy.
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- Unlike traditional electric unicycles, which typically have one wheel and one tire, the INMOTION E20 features a single wheel with dual tires. This innovative design enables lateral self-balancing, allowing users to learn to ride in just 3 minutes, making it the simplest and most beginner-friendly EUC available
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Was leaning to steer safer than a Segway?
Fornaso reportedly considered leaning to steer safer than turning a Segway. That is the inventor’s view, not an independently demonstrated safety finding: the report does not provide comparative testing or evidence that establishes one design as safer.
What happened to TILTO after its first street test?
New Atlas said the experimental prototype had its first street test on June 12, 2011, and linked a video titled “Tilto – First Real Test.” The available account does not establish whether development continued, whether the vehicle was later revised, or whether it ever became commercially available.
Rank #3
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- Bluetooth speaker & app integration: Kids can play music through the built-in speaker. Parents can use the Segway app to easily adjust speed limits, change modes, and access remote control.
What TILTO does—and does not—tell DIY builders
TILTO’s reported sensors and control system illustrate the broad tasks involved in a self-balancing vehicle: sensing motion, processing those readings, and controlling the wheels. The report does not provide enough detail to reproduce TILTO or identify its specific components.
A separate example is Ian Johnston’s Project 012, a different home-built Segway project. Its page documents Jazzy wheelchair DC motors, two 12 V 20 Ah sealed lead-acid batteries connected for 24 V, a Sabertooth 2×60 amp motor driver, an Arduino Nano, accelerometer/gyro IMU options, and an LCD. It also describes Kalman filtering and PID control, and records setup problems including a motor-driver startup issue and a broken steering potentiometer. Those parts and lessons belong to Project 012, not TILTO.
Rank #4
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- MUSIC SPEAKER INCLUDED – For the music lovers, we have added a Built-in branded music speaker to allow you play your music when riding the self balancing scooter. No ride will be more fun than this.
- SELF BALANCING BOARD – The Self balancing technology used for this scooter makes it easier and safe for new riders. Master the art of balancing in minutes.
- OUR SAFETY PROMISE – This self balancing scooter has been safety tested to UL 2272 standards and has passed strict electrical and safety testing to help ensure safe charging and riding. It also features intelligent safety alerts: a beep during riding signals an over-speed warning, while beeping when stationary serves as a low battery reminder.
For readers exploring inertial sensing, a six-axis IMU is a general component category worth learning about; there is no evidence that TILTO used a particular module.
Quick Recap
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- 【EFFICIENT POWER SYSTEM】Designed for extended outdoor rides, the G13 delivers up to 8 miles of range per charge with speeds up to 7.75 mph. The reinforced frame supports up to 176 lbs, providing reliable performance for kids and adults.
- 【GO-KART CONVERSION & CUSTOMER SUPPORT】 Fully compatible with the Gyroor K2 hoverboard seat attachment (sold separately), allowing an easy conversion into an exciting electric go-kart. Our professional customer support team is available by phone and online during U.S. business hours to assist with any questions and help ensure a smooth and enjoyable riding experience.
Sources
- New Atlas, “TILTO is a home-built attempt at reinventing the Segway,” June 20, 2011.
- IanJohnston.com, “Project 012 – Home Built Segway,” published December 5, 2015; page marked updated 03/04/12. This is a separate project.
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