Valdosta man balances technology

Published 6:30 am Sunday, March 22, 2015

VALDOSTA – Age is merely a state of mind and few personify that idea as well as Hoot Gibson.

In June, Gibson will celebrate his 79th birthday.

An almost retired real estate agent and business owner, Gibson gets to the gym multiple times a week.

However, driving a car would just be too tame.

Although he loves his snazzy Cadillac, Gibson has taken to recent, head-turning technology to get around.

Thanks to a company known as Inventist, Gibson owns a Solowheel and Hovertrax. Both of these products were purchased to help Gibson maintain balance and add to convenience to his life.

The Hovertrax is similar to a Segway, yet does not have the center post with a handle. Hovertrax is simply an electric board with wheels that uses gyroscope technology to help the user balance and swiftly get from one place to the next.

For Gibson, who has heel spurs, the Hovertrax makes it possible for him to shop with ease at stores without the pain of walking. He is able to use this device while pushing a shopping cart and is always sure to turn heads.

On the more recreational side, Gibson has a Solowheel, which is essentially an electric unicycle.

As Gibson explains, the Solowheel has gyroscope technology and is computer assisted. This technology keeps the device from tilting forward or backward. Leaning forward makes it go forward and leaning backward makes it go in reverse.

On a full charge, he’s been able to ride nine and a half miles without stopping. He rides it around Valdosta or around his condo area in Florida.

Gibson also learned first hand how important safety equipment is on devices like the Solowheel.

“When I first got it, I didn’t wear any safety equipment. One night I went to the gym to work out and on the way back home I hit a manhole cover without slowing down. The visibility was poor and it was dark outside. The manhole was sunk down more than I realized. EMTs were called out and I was sent to the emergency room because my blood pressure had gone up.”

Since that experience, Gibson makes sure to wear a helmet, knee pads and wrist guards.

Formerly having ridden a normal unicycle, he explained that the Solowheel is much easier and one can learn to ride it in about an hour.

The device not only helps his balance, but it is a great workout for the legs and abs.

“There are so many things out there and new technologies that are coming. I embrace technology,” he said.