Ever since watching Marty McFly zip around on one of these, I’ve longed for the day when they might become reality. Has that day come? Toyota announced that a division of its Lexus arm has built a hoverboard prototype that leverages magnetic levitation.
Superconductors, cooled by liquid nitrogen, and permanent magnets give lift to what Lexus billed as one of the most advanced hoverboards ever constructed. As thrilling as the hoverboard may appear, it isn’t for consumers, said Lexus spokesperson Leigh Ann Session. It’s just a prototype for collaboration among Lexus and its partners.
Lexus plans to conduct weeks of hoverboard testing in Barcelona soon. Although the prototype has virtually no chance of hitting consumer markets, the innovative tech Lexus has poured into the futuristic hoverboard could be used by third parties or the company itself down the line.
Lexus isn’t the only company experimenting with hoverboards. Also, with an impending peak car crisis ready to crush roadway transit, maglev trains are one of many transportation solutions governments are adopting and attempting to improve. You can read more about the project here, and check out the teaser video below.