Last month Lexus unveiled the prototype of its novel magnetic levitating hoverboard, Slide which works on the principle of electromagnetism. This news had actually taken the world by surprise. Though our inner questioner does not accept such a hoverboard would exist in reality, the latest video teaser released by Lexus seems to indicate that Hoverboard Slide is indeed a real thing! The latest video teaser shows Ross McGouran, a professional skateboarder speaking about the Lexus’ Hoverboard, Slide.
The video refers him as a ‘hoverboard test pilot’ wherein he says: ‘I started skating when I was about 7 or 8, and this literally feels like i’m starting all over again.’ ‘This has never been done before, there’s absolutely no friction underneath you at all.’ ‘I forget what I’m doing, I’m, actually floating on air.’ Ross then starts walking alongside the hoverboard and even runs his hand underneath the board to show that it is levitating (freely suspended in air); however the video does not show him actually riding the hoverboard. The magnetic levitating hoverboard prototype was developed by the Tokyo branch of Lexus, a Japanese automaker who has made its mark in the world of manufacturing luxurious vehicles. Slide, a levitating Hoverboard, is the fourth project in Lexus’ ‘Amazing in Motion’ campaign. The video released last month showed a skater who is skating a regular board and then stops and approaches the Slide hoverboard, which seems to be floating in air admist fumes which is pouring out from the hoverboard. The promotional website for Slide hoverboard, explained that it has used ‘liquid nitrogen cooled superconductors and permanent magnets’. For now, Lexus does not want to reveal any further technical details regarding their new product and in a statement it just mentioned that the combination of the super cooled conductors and permanent magnets which gives the hoverboard ‘frictionless movement of a kind that had been thought impossible.’ Right from the release of its promotional video till this second one Lexus has been successful in maintaining the secrecy regarding its novel Slide and people are actually curious to know if the product does exist in reality and if yes, how would it work on concrete or asphalt roads? As per our earlier report we had reported that for the hoverboard to work it would need some corresponding magnetic track on which the superconductor can move. While speaking to MailOnline, a spokesperson from Lexus said that Slide worked on the principle of ‘electromagnetism’ and has been designed to ‘carry someone’ and were not willing to reveal any further information. Neither the release date not the cost of the hoverboard has been disclosed by the company, further Lexus does not seem to be interested in letting out any other information till next month. The earlier products released in ‘Amazing in Motion’ project are mostly publicity stunts hence it is a big question if Slide is a real product or just another stunt? A report by Gizmodo says: ‘Every hover device that relies on superconductors only works on a special magnetic surface, and this board appears to be floating on concrete at a regular old skate park’. The report also added: ‘The video also doesn’t actually show someone riding it, although Lexus has promised more videos of it being tested, just not right now’. The comments thus warns viewers from believing the existence of a ‘real magnetic hoverboard’. Lexus, on the other hand has assured that it will surely reveal the information regarding their novel hoverboard soon which will also confirm if such a hoverboard exists in reality or not. The hoverboard would undergo test ride in Barcelona in the coming weeks, prior to its actual launch which is expected this summer. Mark Templin, Executive Vice President of Lexus International said in a statement: “At Lexus we constantly challenge ourselves and our partners to push the boundaries of what is possible.” He further added: “That determination, combined with our passion and expertise for design and innovation, is what led us to take on the Hoverboard project. That determination, combined with our passion and expertise for design and innovation, is what led us to take on the Hoverboard project. It’s the perfect example of the amazing things that can be achieved when you combine technology, design and imagination.” For now, we need to just wait patiently till Lexus releases its another video wherein it might actually give out some more clue regarding their ‘Slide’.
