Hoverboard takes flight

NZME.

5 Aug, 2015 03:33 AM2 mins to read

Since the Lexus Hoverboard was unveiled in June, testing has been carried out in a specially constructed hoverpark, combining elements from skate culture with technology within its architecture. Up to 200 meters of magnetic track was transported to Barcelona from the Dresden facility to lay beneath the hoverpark surface in order to create the dynamic test, offering Lexus the opportunity to demonstrate tricks no skateboard could ever perform, like travelling across water. Lexus has captured the final ride footage and released it as a film led by award winning director Henry-Alex Rubin.

A new contraption that invokes a fantastic device seen in the Back to the Future movies is wowing crowds abroad.

The Lexus hoverboard has finally been seen in action in Barcelona.

It's not coming to New Zealand anytime soon, so Kiwi skaters and technology fans will have to console themselves with a video released today of the hoverboard in full flight.

Carmaker Lexus said the project started 18 months ago through a collaboration with a team of scientists, including magnetic levitation technology specialists from German institute IFW Dresden and the evico GmbH company.

"Following extensive testing with pro skateboarder and hoverboard test rider Ross McGouran, in Dresden, Germany, the team were determined to push the hoverboard to its limits and conduct further tests within dynamic surroundings," Lexus said today.

"I've spent 20 years skateboarding, but without friction it feels like I've had to learn a whole new skill, particularly in the stance and balance in order to ride the hoverboard. It's a whole new experience," Mr McGouran said.

Testing had been carried out in a specially-built "hoverpark" after some 200m of magnetic track was transported from Dresden to Barcelona.

The track was laid beneath the hoverpark surface in the Catalan capital.

The Lexus hoverboard technology featured two "cryostats" - reservoirs in which superconducting material was kept at -127.22C through immersion in liquid nitrogen.

The board was then placed above a track with permanent magnets.

"The magnetic field from the track is effectively 'frozen' into the superconductors in the board, maintaining the distance between the board and the track - essentially keeping the board hovering," said Dr Oliver de Hass, evico magnetics chief executive.

"This force is strong enough to allow the rider to stand and even jump on the board."

The timing of the hoverboard release will likely warm the hearts of Back to the Future fans. In the trilogy's second instalment, released in 1989, hero Marty McFly used a hoverboard when he arrived in the year 2015.