Lexus Goes Back to the Future with a Real Hoverboard

A few weeks ago, I wrote about a guy named Catalin Alexandru Duru, who, at the time, had just set a Guinness World Record for the "Farthest Journey by Hoverboard." Even though the "hoverboard" he used was very cool, it didn't really match up with the one from the Back to the Future movies (check out the piece with accompanying video here).

Well, the folks at Lexus have taken that concept, and it looks like they've gotten even closer to what most of us imagine a hoverboard to be.

From Business Insider:

Lexus has built a functional prototype of a hoverboard and it looks just about as impressive as Lexus cars.

The company recently posted a video of skateboard-like device, which it calls SLIDE, on its website. The company calls the device the "first real, rideable hoverboard," however, the video does not show the board in action.

The technology behind the futuristic device is magnetic levitation. It uses liquid nitrogen-cooled semiconductors and magnets for its frictionless movement.

Lexus will begin testing its device this Summer in Barcelona, according to a Bloomberg report. While there is no word yet on when the device will go on sale to the public, it's probably safe to say that "Back to the Future" fans will be anxiously waiting. 

I think that's a fairly safe bet. And, as I mentioned earlier, Lexus is not alone in the hoverboard development department

Last year, the California-based company Arx Pax showed off its hoverboard model called the Hendo board. The company, which launched its product on Kickstarter, quickly sold out of its few flying skateboard models for the hefty price tag of $10,000 a pop. 

Here's a look at the Lexus Slide, followed by the Hendo board: