Lexus makes a real hoverboard - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 05, 2015, 04:56:28 am
content: Powered by liquid nitrogen cooled superconductors. The skate park used in the video was built with metal under the concrete.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2015, 05:11:37 am
content: I wanna see the blooper reel and injury list.

author: gadgetoid
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 05, 2015, 12:55:01 pm
content: They've clearly realised that it hits the ground more often than not and stalls abruptly. A few shots show them anticipating this and jumping off. And after the final jump the board digs in and kicks him off. It's surprisingly stable and good at staying afloat under these conditions though, I was expecting it to hit the ground much more often. That said we probably just got the good footage!There also doesn't appear to be any way to steer- either forward or bust- but I'd expect that since the leaning mechanic used in a skateboard would have no effect in the hover alternative.It's a fun gimmick for people who are good enough to ride it- but I can't even step into a skateboard without flying off! Much less one that's free to slide in two directions. I'm still waiting for the real deal! ( presumably self balancing to compensate for my lack of skill )

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2015, 04:10:43 pm
content: exposed on hack-a-day.its borderline scam. they threw money at the problem and did nothing new. there are $100k or more of magnets under the concrete or ground and the unit runs only 10 minutes on supercooled nitrogen (iirc).it MUST have the matching magnets under the path. therefore, its just showmanship. really, nothing to see here but a rich company spending money on an ad campain. no new science at all.

author: rollatorwieltje
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 05, 2015, 06:41:42 pm
content: How is it a scam? They even made a video showing exactly how it works. Sure it's a marketing image trick, but so is pretty much every piece of car brand marketing. At least this isn't CGI.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2015, 07:03:25 pm
content: Quote from: linux-works on August 05, 2015, 04:10:43 pmThat's to be expected, it's a commercial. I bet they used long strips underneath with small gaps to give a road effect and keep the board straight.

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 05, 2015, 07:23:59 pm
content: I see professionally done very technical add. It is expected that only the best moments are shown and that advantages (floating in the air) are inflated compared to disadvantages (requires magnet railtrack, limited work time). Nicely done add all in all.Regarding hover board, it is very limited in movement capabilities. It requires very strong magnetic field (meaning very heavy electromagnet with a battery or liquid cooled supermagnet) and either magnetic or copper rail below. It can be thought of as a hybrid of ice skating rink and a rail track - once you start going, you keep going in direction you started with no control or according to rails.These technical specifics are opposite to a normal skateboard. Train would be much better analogy in my opinion.