The Lexus Hoverboard, reminiscent of Marty McFly’s transportation in “Back to the Future,” made a full debut this week after hints in June, inciting excitement and more than a little skepticism.
In a press release and YouTube video, Lexus International reported that the hoverboard made it through a successful testing phase in Barcelona, operating on a magnetic course that allowed the board to hover inches above the surface.
The 18-month hoverboard project, a Lexus collaboration with magnetic levitation companies IFW Dresden and evico GmbH, involved immersing elements of the board in liquid nitrogen, creating a magnetic field on the board. When placed on a magnetic track, the board floats, the press release said.
"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, " evico CEO Dr. Oliver de Haas said in the release. "This force is strong enough to allow the rider to stand and even jump on the board."
But the YouTube video made it clear that learning to ride the hoverboard isn’t easy. Even professional skateboarder Ross McGouran, who tested the board, struggled and fell off numerous times.
"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,” he said.
Given the preponderance of hoaxes online, many commenting on the video were skeptical.
“I swear to God Internet if this is fake I will hunt you down and destroy you!!!” one person wrote.
But others pointed out that, given the magnetic properties, it’s unlikely the technology will be widely available.
"I traveled all the way from earlier today to tell you this is bulls**t, the whole skate park has a magnet surface. Leave the park and the ‘hoverboard’ doesn't work. So Lexus made the very possible, possible, " another wrote, referring to the Lexus tagline on the video, "We’ve made the impossible, possible. "
Despite its clear limitations, many were enthralled at the possibilities of spinning through the air:
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