Take A Quick Look At Lexus’s High-Tech Hoverboard

Lexus has been drip-feeding us information about its fancy new hoverboard for months, now but the main event is finally here.

Mark Templin, Executive Vice President at Lexus global said: “Embarking on this project, we set out to push the boundaries of technology, design and innovation to make the impossible possible”.

In the video, pro skateboard rider Ross McGouran is shown riding the hoverboard over ramps and banked corners as well as travelling over water. “We’ve experienced the highs and lows and have overcome a few challenges, but through mutual determination we have created a demonstration of our philosophy in design and technology to create unbelievable in Motion”. With this project we call “SLIDE”, we collaborated with partners who share our passion for creating enjoyment out of motion.

The technology for what Lexus refers to as project “SLIDE” was developed by Lexus in partnership with German research institute IFW Dresden and superconductor specialists Evico GmbH.

Now any good hoverboard needs a good hoverpark, and Lexus crafted its own, utilising 200 metres of metal track under a concrete finish to create a hover-friendly float environment. “It’s a whole new experience”, McGouran said. The board will only float above a special magnetic track, the technology that powers Japan’s Maglev trains.

The hoverboard itself contains two “cryostats”, reservoirs filled with superconducting material that must be chilled to -197 degrees.

“The force is strong enough that the rider can stand and even jump on the board”.

If you are thinking that the Lexus this new hoverboard called SLIDE will let you use it as Back to the Future Part II, then you should think again.

Lexus has been clear that it’s not developing the hoverboard for commercial sale, just like it’s not going to work in every situation.