Kickflipping a 5 stair may be a relatively easy trick for the average high school skater, but how easy would it be without the trucks or wheels?
Lexus has just released a board concept that could potentially help lead to a whole new world of skating tricks. Or would it still be called skating — sliding, perhaps?
The upscale automaker unveiled a teaser video yesterday of what they claim to be a working hoverboard.
Much different than the traditional skateboard, the new Lexus hoverboard concept, officially named Slide, has been in the works for 18 months by teams in Germany and London, according to Gizmodo. The Slide is a part of a video-based series that displays new technologies being developed by Lexus called Amazing in Motion.
Lexus engineers designed the new board using liquid nitrogen-cooled semiconductors that enabled them to utilize magnetic levitation technology. In plain terms, Lexus engineers used magnets to create frictionless movement; Lexus says the board only works on special metallic surfaces.
While the video is undoubtedly stimulating, there are still questions that remain unanswered. The video shows the sleek and futuristic design of the board, but it does not reveal the rider-to-board experience, which is, inevitably, the most important part.
Lexus also fails to give a public release date in their video or on their website. However, a Bloomberg report says that Lexus will be testing the board this summer in Barcelona, Spain. The report also says that Lexus is waiting for an opportunity to showcase the new deck in a feature film.
Lexus called their Slide concept the “first real, rideable hoverboard” on their website, although a rideable hoverboard prototype was unveiled last year by Arx Pax. The company hopes to ship their Hendo Hoverboards to their Kickstarter backers by October.
While it may take some time, hoverboards might just be on the cusp of becoming another household item.
