Posted on 06/24/2015 2:21:57 PM PDT by Red Badger
Yes, we know - it's 2015, the year Marty jumped to in Back to the Future 2 and you still don't have a hoverboard. Right on time, Lexus has presented the latest example from its "Amazing in Motion" series of video spectacles: the Lexus Hoverboard. As you can see in the video after the break, it certainly appears to hover, and smoke, but no one actually hops on the magnetically-levitating device for a ride. Gizmodo heard from the carmaker that this project has been in development over the last 18 months, but couldn't get more specific info on how it works.
The website explains that it's magnetic, with liquid nitrogen-cooled superconductors and permanent magnets, made with a Lexus grille and natural bamboo -- but stops there. We've seen a $10,000 magnetic hoverboard before, but it required a special metal track to ride on, and this teaser appears to show the board on regular ground (Update: We got in touch with Lexus, and confirmed that like the other examples we've seen, there is a metal surface underneath the skate park shown here -- it's real, but you won't be riding this thing just anywhere). That seems rather unlikely, but we'll have to wait to find out more. Lexus says it will bring regular updates in the coming weeks about its "real, rideable hoverboard" but for now all we have is a teaser video to watch and speculate about.
Tech Ping?................
Shoot we got something at Area 51 we found down in Roswell, New Mexico that does that.
Area 51 is in Nevada..................
Yes, but we FOUND it in Roswell, New Mexico.
Beware of zee eels
But the crash of the aliens’ spaceship was in 1947. You must be very old....................
Don’t try it over water...........................
Well, you know, taking Ageless Male, drinking Gatorade.
Does it land or blow up when the fuse burns out.
The problem with all these boards is how to control it. There’s no traction to use for turning, you can’t exactly use fins like on a surfboard.
Well this makes sense. According to Back to the Future II by this October we should have flying cars.
When you biff that metal’s gonna feel so good.
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