Self-balancing, electronically-assisted, rideable devices

A self-balancing, electronically-assisted, rideable device comprising:

• a central longitudinal axis;
• a front, the front oriented in the forward direction when the device is traveling forward;
• a back, the back oriented in a rearward direction when the device is traveling forward;
• two wheels, each of the wheels rotating about a single, shared, rotational axis, said rotational axis being orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis;
• a self-balancing module for balancing the device on the two wheels relative to a surface upon which the device is traveling;
• an electronic-assist mechanism comprising an electronic motor, said electronic motor being powered by electrical energy, said electronic motor for providing electro-motive force to the electronic-assist mechanism, said electronic-assist mechanism configured to assist a user operating the device;
• and
• a manually-actuated control mechanism for controlling a travelling direction of the device, wherein:
• the control mechanism is disposed laterally away from the central longitudinal axis;
• and
• the control mechanism is independent of a direct mechanical attachment to the central longitudinal axis.