The Lexus “Slide” Hoverboard is Finally Here

Back in June, I shared with you the story of the Lexus "Slide" hoverboard (click here for the earlier post). When Lexus released their teaser video, many derided it as being a fake and/or hoax. Well, the folks at Lexus promised proof, and they've delivered.

Pretty cool stuff. However, if you're thinking you might like to have one for yourself...you might be disappointed.

From CNET:

Called "Slide," it is a skateboard-like device that floats a few inches above the ground, promising the ultimate in futuristic, personal travel. To pull off this seemingly impossible feat, the thing contains a series of magnets and superconductors cooled by liquid nitrogen. The board is real, and it exists exclusively for the purpose of elevating the Lexus brand image.

The levitation effect of supercooled superconductors has been known for ages now, but deploying it on such a scale requires some serious effort. Namely: lots and lots and lots of magnets built into the ground. The company has built a custom skate park in Barcelona, Spain, upon which its prototype hoverboard can be used.

In fact, this board works only at that custom-crafted park, built at an undisclosed but surely huge expense. Still, it seems to have some limitations, with pro skateboarder Ross McGouran struggling to keep the thing from dragging on the ground at times. That's despite liquid nitrogen refills every 10 minutes or so.