Lexus has made a hoverboard. We'll repeat that, just to be sure: Lexus has made a hoverboard. A functioning, hovering hoverboard. There's
a video
and everything. And we thought the GS F was as exciting as Lexus would get this year.
Seriously, what is going on here?
The hoverboard has been in development for 18 months as part of Lexus's 'Amazing in Motion' campaign; the video here comes from a 'hoverpark' near Barcelona, where it has been tested by pro-skateboarder Ross McGouran over the past few weeks.
So how does it work? Magnets. The board has been designed with magnetic levitation specialists in Germany, the hoverpark built using 200 metres of magnetic track beneath the surface. Inside the hoverboard there are two cryostats, the reservoirs with superconducting material. Yes, superconducting material, that's the real name. The cryostats are kept at -197 degrees in liquid nitrogen, allowing the board to achieve magnetic levitation when placed above a magnetic track.
Obviously you must hoverboard in Vans too
This is probably best explained by a professional. Dr Oliver de Hass is CEO of evico, one of the companies behind the Lexus hoverboard: "The magnetic field from the track is effectively 'frozen' into the superconductors in the board, maintaining the distance between the board and track - essentially keeping the board in a hover." Apparently the rider can even jump on the board...
From the rider's perspective, McGouran said: "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." No kidding!
So that's the latest Lexus prototype. A friggin hoverboard. Apparently it's not due for sale anytime soon. What will be on sale soon is the Lexus GS F, which features in this video. Somehow a V8 supersaloon seems a bit less exciting now, doesn't it?
here.