Lexus brand was started from the exclusive sedan development
with a codename F1 in 1983. Now, in addition to be one of the largest premium
automotive manufacturers from Japan, they have also entered the sports cars
segment and even the supercars field. But Lexus never stops experimenting. As
we know, since June they are reportedly working on a Hoverboard.
Hoverboard is a concept transportation, popular and challenging
the inventors to create it since its appearance in the Back to the Future Part
II and Part III. Lexus is not the first team that tries to realize the Hoverboard
idea (Hendo Hover has tried it first), but Lexus Hoverboard looks much lighter
and sophisticated.
Lexus has just released a new demonstration video entitled
'It's Here' on YouTube, the video shows the Hoverboard ability to skate on a
solid surface and also on the water.
Lexus Hoverboard named Slide adopts the technology of
magnetic levitation (maglev) such as a super-fast train, Transrapid. To apply
maglev in Lexus Hoverboard, the team should reorganize and arrange it from the
beginning, and then look for the superconductor composition, magnet and
appropriate liquid nitrogen.
Need months for Lexus to adapt the maglev system into Slide
and prepare the arena. So far Lexus Hoverboard can only work if it is used on
top of a special arena. It carries a series of metal structures to resist the
gravity. Slide won't work on the ordinary skateboard arena, and consequently,
it won't be much different with other Hoverboard experiments.
Riding the Lexus Hoverboard is not as easy as riding the
conventional skateboard. Slide has a bigger body, so the momentum won't be the
same as the regular wheeled board. The design without wheel makes the user has
difficulty to perform simple tricks such as ollie or backflip. Even
professional skateboard athlete, Ross McGouran needs time to adapt with the
Slide. But in the end, McGouran is able to ride Slide over the water and does
grind in a metal handrail, amazing!