Haruhiko Tanahashi, the legendary chief engineer of the Lexus LFA, once said, “there is no such thing as impossible, it’s just a matter of figuring out how.” Wise words indeed, as the company has finally revealed their much-teased Lexus Hoverboard (aka Project SLIDE).
The cynics would greet this whole exercise as nothing more than a gimmick, but it is in fact a sign of true innovation and imagination, where a company decided to push the boundaries of technology even further.
This project started 18 months ago through a collaboration with a team of scientists from IFW Dresden and Evico GmbH, who specialise in magnetic levitation technology. Ross McGouran, a pro skateboarder described the experience as mind-blowing as he conducted extensive testing on the machine.
“I’ve spent 20 years skateboarding, but without friction it feels like I’ve had to learn a whole new skill, particularly in the stance and balance in order to ride the hoverboard,” he said.
Lexus transported up to 200 metres of magnetic track from their Dresden testing facility in Germany to lay beneath the hoverpark surface, and this gave them an opportunity to showcase tricks no skateboard could ever perform in this specially constructed hoverpark, that has elements of skate culture in it too.
Essentially, the Lexus Hoverboard technology features two “cryostats”—reservoirs in which superconducting material is kept at -197 degrees through immersion in liquid nitrogen. The board is then placed above a track that contains permanent magnets.
Dr. Oliver de Haas, Evico CEO, said: “The magnetic field from the track is effectively ‘frozen’ into the superconductors in the board, maintaining the distance between the board and the track—essentially keeping the board hovering. This force is strong enough to allow the rider to stand and even jump on the board.”
A high-performance Lexus GS F is also featured in the film for good measure, and this Lexus Hoverboard film is part of the fourth project in the Lexus “Amazing In Motion” campaign series that puts an emphasis on creativity and innovation fro the Lexus brand.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Stop wasting buyers money for stupid project.
Better upgrade your car safety quality.
I wonder how will this helps their car…
Hover tires?
Hover seats?
Hover engine?
Can’t be an hover car because it needs a special track!
There are endless possibilities.
They mentioned it doesn’t need electric supply.
They could use it for a public transport system, or implement it in their manufacturing facility, any application that needs the transporting of heavy objects and materials.
If we only think of how a new technology can be used in one particular industry (automotive in this case), we will be missing out on so much of more.
Can’t even get the airbags right, now want to kill people with safeless hoverboard?
I thought the airbag are supply by Takata. Not produce by Lexus right? Correct me if I’m wrong.
At least it won’t burn people like Exora
The airbags already killed people,while noones dies in p1.
Get your fact right
With a thinking like yours, no wonder Malaysia can only produce car like Proton. Everyday think of help from G to produce junk that nobody wants. Can’t think of innovation besides money
You must be a real livewire at parties…
You say that to UMW Toyota, Lexus on the other hand, is quite good got 10 Airbags and VSC.
Lexus=glorofied Toyota, nothing special
You drive merc or proton?
what is the problem with the Lexus safety quality?
Do you mean all the technologies that exist in our car today comes from ‘cleaver’ idea? That’s what R&D&C are all about..
Better than wasting the rakyat’s money for R3 project.
Proton, better upgrade your service quality and macai attitude.
When Vios will have VSC? In year 2030?
Probably not considering Saga don’t have VSC for 30 years!
Don’t be fooled. You can’t skate it in town. You need to skate at their ground.
So it’s useless
You useless. Only can bash
You useless Lexus Toyota macai
Butthurt useless Proton macai spotted
Imagine a hover car sports
They should call it a TOYOTA hoverboard. After glorifying car, now they want glorify a board? lol… It’s a TOYOTA, TOYOTA, TOYOTA!!
At least they don’t call it “BMW of Asia”, right?
You still live in 2000
nothing special…just a maglev.
Exactly!! It was just a scale down maglev that hover above the hidden tracks!
Hey! Haruhiko Tanahashi!! Breakthrough my a$$!
There are endless possibilities.
They mentioned it doesn’t need electric supply.
They could use it for a public transport system, or implement it in their manufacturing facility, any application that needs the transporting of heavy objects and materials.
If we only think of how a new technology can be used in one particular industry (automotive in this case), we will be missing out on so much of more.
But Lexus car now still cannot hover like this
Well done!
Those who talkok on Toyota/Lexus old technology can shut up now.
Lol you are dreaming, same with those stupid people. If you buy a car, why bother with Langkawi prices? You stay in Langkawi kah?
Since when I talked about Langkawi price?
And many here talkok on US price… go ask them “Are you staying in US? Why bother?”
So sick of comparing US car and Malaysian cars… People have Obama and we have Najib, this is fundamental difference!
Since when I said like that?
This tech is still far to go, only in your dream so why bother?
Awesome!!! Trying to make October 21, 2015 something closer to reality. The engineer must have been a big fan. I like the motto, “Impossible only takes longer” That my friends is inspiring. I rather watch the video and be inspired than to read all your trolling comments here. Most people who comment here can’t even hold a candle to the intellectual capacity of these individuals.
What about Proton engineers?
still, there is such a thing as impossible. If I ask you to fly to moon, that’s maybe… If I ask you to fly to the sun, that’s impossible.
Nothing is impossible. We are only limited by our current technology and knowledge. About 100 year ago, flight by humans was impossible. Within 60 years, mankind landed on the moon. We have now space probes exploring the far regions of our solar system. It is NOT impossible to fly to the sun. NASA has already made plans to send space probes to the Sun FYI. Your comment only shows your myopic view and your limitation. If you choose to live your life in an impossible mindset, your progress would be limited. Expand your horizons, read and travel to see the world that is my advise.
there know how to market their product..but don’t know how to improve quality..
I think you’re talking about Proton
wow! Im impressed. even hoverboard also got a lots of negative comments. Can’t even appreciate ideas. Gotta love being Malaysian.
What to do? Butthurt Proton macais nothing to do