Lexus Unveils Its Working Hoverboard

An anonymous reader writes: Lexus has revealed its eagerly anticipated "SLIDE" hoverboard, which uses magnetic fields to carry its rider without touching the ground. The board is confined to custom-built skatepark, remaining suspended due to the board's repulsion from a specially made magnetic track. Mark Templin, Executive Vice President at Lexus International said: "Embarking on this project, we set out to push the boundaries of technology, design and innovation to make the impossible possible. With this project we call 'SLIDE', we collaborated with partners who share our passion for creating enjoyment out of motion. Even through combining our technology and expertise, we discovered making a hoverboard isn't an easy process. 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 Amazing in Motion."

Comments

Just in time

[alvinrod]

Looks like Back to the Future Part II was correct in that we'd have hoverboards in 2015, but they're certainly not as advanced as in the film. However, the Lexus appears to work over water though, so I suppose they have that going for them.

Re:Just in time

[pushing-robot]

The Lexus board has the same limitation: You can hover over water, but without a solid surface to kick off you can't propel yourself.

Unless, of course, you've got power...

Re:Just in time

[jklovanc]

To be accurate it works over a very thin layer of water with a magnetic track underneath.

Re:Just in time

[mark-t]

The board doesn't "want" to flip over at all... if it did, it would spontaneously flip over when nobody was on it.

That said, there's nothing remotely unusual about the forces they are employing here... but it's a but more complicated than just two-like poles on magnets repelling eachother.

Re:Just in time

[pushing-robot]

The article is bunk; the Lexus hoverboard works not via opposing magnets but the Meissner effect (a superconductor excluding magnetic fields). Orientation isn't important; you could flip it upside down, turn the board on its side, flip the *track* upside down (if the field is strong enough), and it will hang in place in exactly the way your brain says it shouldn't.

However, the main flaw with this and the Hendo hoverboard is control; you're essentially riding an air-hockey puck. You can't effectively steer by leaning, and good luck kicking off without sending yourself spinning.

Re:Just in time

[Joce640k]

The board is going to want to flip over and stick to the surface upside down all the time and you'll have to balance to offset those forces constantly.

It's almost as if you didn't actually watch the video before posting that.

Re:Just in time

[WolfWithoutAClause]

Not really much more complicated the track is just 2 or more magnetic stripes made with shitloads of neodymium magnets.

Re:Just in time

[Dialecticus]

While I forget the term for superconductor levitation in a magnetic field...

The word you're looking for is diamagnetism .

By my math, they have 11 weeks to perfect the technology, paint it in neon colors, and market it to children so it will be ready for Marty McFly's arrival on October 21st. Good luck, Mattel...I mean Lexus.

Re:Just in time

[mark-t]

The words you are looking for are actually The Meisnner Effect.

You're going to look so cool....

[OakDragon]

...laying that track down.

Re:Nice sales pitch there

[dinfinity]

Seriously, what the fuck is the use of this marketing bullshit in the summary?:
"Mark Templin, Executive Vice President at Lexus International said: "Embarking on this project, we set out to push the boundaries of technology, design and innovation to make the impossible possible. With this project we call 'SLIDE', we collaborated with partners who share our passion for creating enjoyment out of motion. Even through combining our technology and expertise, we discovered making a hoverboard isn't an easy process. 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 Amazing in Motion."

It tells us absolutely nothing about completely uninteresting shit in way too many words, which comprise 80% of the 'summary'.
Seriously, what the fuck, Slashdot?

Quantum-locked Superconductor

[Roger W Moore]

How many gigawatts will that thing run on, though?

Actually none - it uses liquid nitrogen to keep the superconducting pads below critical temperature. Hence the wisps of condensation from the feet of the rider in the video. The superconductor is then essentially quantum locked into the magnetic field produced by the buried track: any change in field would induce a current in the superconductor to oppose that change. This is actually a common physics demo they have just improved the presentation. Still it would be a fantastic way to make an entrance for a relevant lecture - I wonder if they offer academic pricing for the board and track installation...

Re:A superconducting skateboard park?

[SuricouRaven]

The superconductors themselves are expensive. There are many high-temperature (relatively speaking) superconductors, but they are all exotic alloys of very precise crystal structure. Expensive to manufacture, and you'd have to coat a whole skate park in them. Plus the enclosed cooling system, and a durable insulator on top - you don't want people falling off into the inch-deep lake of liquid nitrogen, it isn't healthy.