► Lexus hoverboard takes flight
► Levitates across water
► Slide film shows off hoverboard
Lexus has teamed up with a group of scientists from IFW Dresden and Evico GmbH over the past 18 months to create a hoverboard. Yes, you read that right. Lexus has built something you might expect to find in Back To The Future or the walls of Hogwarts witchcraft and wizardry… did someone say Wingardium Leviosa?
Professional skateboarder Ross McGouran piloted the Lexus hoverboard in a new short film, Slide, which showcases the levitating board making its way around a purpose-built magnetic hoverpark near Barcelona. Watch the video at the foot of this page.
What kind of tomfoolery is the Lexus hoverboard? How does it work?
The art of hovering is achieved by using two cryostats within the board itself. Reservoirs, which contain superconducting material, are kept at -197C through immersion in liquid nitrogen, Lexus says. The hoverpark near Barcelona was purpose-built for this exercise using around 200 metres of magnetic track beneath the ground, plenty of water features and hidden permanent magnetic tracks the board tracks.
Dr Oliver de Hass, CEO of Evico, explains how the magic works. ‘The magnetic field is effectively “frozen” into the superconductors in the board, maintaining the distance between the board and track – essentially keeping the board in a hover.’
I want a go!
Not so fast. Lexus says that this was a demonstration of its philosophy to create ‘amazing in motion’. So you won’t be able to get your hands on one any time soon, and we’re not so sure you’ll want to after watching the video. Professional skateboarder Ross McGouran took a number of tumbles on his attempts to ride the hoverboard.
‘I’ve spent 20 years skateboarding, but without friction it feels like I’ve had to learn a whole new skill, particularly in the stance and balance you need to ride the hoverboard,’ said McGouran. We’ll take your word for it, Ross.