Lexus Hoverboard is a hoverboard that appears to not just live up to our Back to the Future II dreams but, at least stylistically, improve on them. Better yet, it's more science than science fiction. Called "Slide," it is a skateboard-like device that floats a few inches above the ground, promising the ultimate in futuristic, personal travel. To pull off this seemingly impossible feat, the thing contains a series of magnets and superconductors cooled by liquid nitrogen. The board is real, and it exists exclusively for the purpose of elevating the Lexus brand image.Here's how it works—and why you won't find one at Toys'R'Us any time soon.
How It Works
Magnets. That's the short version. The long version means steeling yourself for a light dose of physics.
According to Lexus, its hoverboard relies on superconductors and magnets, which combine to repel the force of gravity and lift an object—like, say, a fancy skateboard and its rider—above the ground.
The levitation effect of supercooled superconductors has been known for ages now, but deploying it on such a scale requires some serious effort. Namely: lots and lots and lots of magnets built into the ground. The company has built a custom skate park in Barcelona, Spain, upon which its prototype hoverboard can be used.
In fact, this board works only at that custom-crafted park, built at an undisclosed but surely huge expense. Still, it seems to have some limitations, with pro skateboarder Ross McGouran struggling to keep the thing from dragging on the ground at times. That's despite liquid nitrogen refills every 10 minutes or so.
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