During his internship at Tesla in 2022, Mike Elrod, a fifth-year mechanical engineering student, was prompted by his passion for robotics and the fact that he didn’t own a car to build his own electric skateboard using a 3D printer.
“I’ve always wanted to use engineering-grade materials and filaments to make functional parts for 3D printing,” Elrod said. “It’s not always interesting to make little trinkets; I want to use it for engineering.”
The skateboard’s deck, axles and electric housing were 3D printed by Elrod using carbon fiber reinforced filaments to provide the necessary stability and material quality for a person to carry. Another 3D-printed component was also manufactured to give the skateboard the correct steerability. The vehicle, which is powered by a 36-volt battery, reaches a top speed of 20 miles per hour and is equipped with 6.5-inch pneumatic tires for rough terrain. The skateboard’s electrical components are controlled wirelessly via a hand-held remote control.
In addition to the skateboard, Elrod developed other vehicles, including an electric scooter and an electric go-kart, while also utilizing support from online forums and the industry community.
“I knew the community, the industry, and the forums. There have been a lot of companies that have popped up over the last 10 years that make motors and motor controllers, which are the brain, battery packs, and all the little electronics,” Elrod explained.
Elrod, who comes from Colchester, Connecticut, already had the desire to become an engineer as a child. He pursued this dream after participating in FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics competitions. His decision to attend RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) was made after visiting the university because of the co-op program, the Engineering House, the size of the university and the engineering resources available on campus. The only drawback for Elrod? The distance from Florida’s space coast. His interest in space also led him to RIT’s Launch Initiative, where he worked with a team of students to develop a Level 2 rocket.
After his time at Tesla, Elrod landed an internship at his dream company, SpaceX, in 2023 and will begin a full-time position there in June.
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