Maglev hoverboard prototype unveiled by Lexus

But who cares? They’ll be testing the prototype in Barcelona over the next few weeks, ahead of a summer launch.

The developers of the hoverboard are from Tokyo branch of Lexus which is in Japan.

Part of its lexus-int.com – Amazing in Motion’ campaign for the vehicle manufacturer the technological marvel has been made possible through magnetic levitation, by stashing liquid nitrogen cooled superconductors and permanent magnets within its frame to achieve its magic.

Well everyone’s now racing to make a hoverboard because we decided sometime in the last couple of years that proving Back To The Future II prescient was the best way to highlight technological achievement. It does, however, rock some Lexus-specific stylistic cues to remind everyone whose invention this is, including the automaker’s signature spindle grille as well as materials used in its cars.

Back in 2014, at the Next Big Thing Summit, a Toyota (Lexus’s parent company) representative announced, “We have been studying the flying auto in our most advanced R&D area”. No word yet on whether Marty McFly will be able to take it for a test-ride.

Now, while “everyone knows hoverboards don’t work on water”, Lexus reckons it’s got at least one arena sorted: skate parks.

“When technology, design and imagination come together, awesome things can be achieved”, posted Lexus in their promotional video on YouTube. We’ve seen hoverboard projects before, like the Hendo Hoverboard that raised over half a million dollars on Kickstarter. The project is still in the early stages and new images and videos will be released weekly on the Lexus website. We’re still craving that futuristic update with bated breath, and now Lexus is getting in on the action.