Footpads are one of the parts of the onewheel anatomy that is central to running the board. The footpads contain the footpad itself, the sensor that detects when a rider steps onto the board, and finally the griptape itself. We will be focusing on the sensor itself in this document.
The Basics of a footpad
The onewheel footpad is a specialty-made PCB that runs off of 3.3V. The PCB has two layers, one layer that supplies 3.3V and a second layer split in a right and left side with their own respective wire. The footpad sensor is one giant button, effectively. When you step onto the footpad, your weight pushes down on the footpad, connecting the second and first layer, and tells the controller that there is someone on the board itself.
Stock XR/Pint/GT
Image Credit: Future Motion
The footpads used by Future Motion are compatible with the VESC hardware. The stock footpads can be purchased from Future Motion, however are quite expensive. Future Motion footpads use Switchcraft-type connectors, however XR uses a basic Switscraft connector. The Pint and GT use their own proprietary connector.
Stoked Stock Sensor
Image Credit: Stoked Stock
The Stoked Stock Sensor has a V2, V3 and V4 that each represent a different sensitivity. They terminate in a 3-pin dunpout connector, and are meant to be an aftermarket replacement for the stock Futuremotion sensor. You will need to take the sensor and apply it to your own compatible footpad and grip tape as well.
Stompies
Image Credit: Fungineers
Stompies are XR compatible footpads for the onewheel. They use the same connector as the XR, and are basically drop-in replacements. They are considered to be ok footpads, though not many people in the VESC community use this footpad.
Floatwheel footpads
Image Credit: Floatwheel
These footpads are meant to be used with the Floathweel ADV boards, and aren’t really considered compatible with the XR, Pint or GT. It uses a concave setup, and does not use a cable to connect the controller, instead using PCB-contacts to connect with the controller instead.
Not reccomended for vesc if you are not trying to vesc a Floatwheel.