Are there advantages to sticking with such small wheels on a powered board like this? I'd think that something like this [1] but with a motor would be way more usable on real-world streets.

In general though, I really do think that these kinds of "personal transportation" devices are the way of the future. I ride my self-balancing electric unicycle [2] from the light-rail to the office any time it's nice out and I'm not hauling anything in. It's the best way to get around in the city as far as I'm concerned.

I feel like it's a better solution because of the big, pneumatic tire. I can ride it up a bump of about an inch without even thinking. I feel like it'd be quite a challenge to ride something with wheels that small on the roads/sidewalks/trails around here (Minnesota).

[1] http://imgur.com/jm5NoCJ.jpg

[2] http://i.imgur.com/lHoVGQ3.jpg

Edit: I will say, the one thing I'm really jealous at with the boosted board is that it's half the weight of my wheel and apparently has the same range. Carrying this thing around for extended periods of time can get tiring.