Most of us geeks grew up with fantasies about Hoverboards from the Back to the Future series of movies. We never thought that the device would actually hit reality one day. Well, Lexus has proved us wrong and they have introduced a Hoverboard that actually works. Take that Sci-Fi and fantasy movies haters.
Before we tell you more about this nifty little device, watch the video of the Lexus Hoverboard below.
A month or so ago the global car maker had starting sending teasers of what is to come. A mysterious device came into the picture that seemed like a Hoverboard, but we were still sceptical at the time about the gimmick. Now looking at this video where skateboarders are using the Lexux Hoverboard to skate around the park and on water, yes you read that right – on water!, this contraption which once felt like a fantasy is now a reality.
The Wired.co.uk reports that the board measures 92x22x9cm and can carry weights of up to 200 Kg. The The Lexus Hoverboard levitates thanks to superconductors made from the catchily named compound Yttrium barium copper oxide that are fitted within the body. Sitting in two cryostats (or reservoirs), the superconductors need to be cooled to below -181C in liquid nitrogen to work. Therefore, you see vapours coming out of the board.
Well, we quite like the whole spectacle of the vapours from the Lexus Hoverboard. It just adds to the show, unless they pollute the environment in some way (then that is not cool). Once the compound has reached the -181C cooled state it can store a magnetic field. In this case the 200 meter magnetic track under skatepark helps the board levitate. That is why you see the skateboarder swiftly moving over water as well.
However, there are instances in the video showcasing some sloppy movements. This just illustrates that the Lexus Hoverboard is still in its Beta/testing phases, nonetheless exhilarating to see. This tech is exciting to watch as it brings lot of childhood memories and fantasies to existence. Kudos to Lexus and the team for bringing this Sci-Fi tech to life, Marty McFly would be proud of you guys.
