Science & Technology

Startup firm develops working hoverboard

By T.K. Randall
November 13, 2014 ·  22 comments

The hoverboard works using magnetism. Image Credit: YouTube / Hendo Hover The real-life hoverboard, which was developed by Californian architect Greg Henderson, uses a series of four magnetic field 'engines' to levitate itself about an inch off the ground.

The project, which is being helped along by crowdfunding on Kickstarter, has seen so much interest from backers that it has generated over $438,000 in donations. The commercial release of the device is currently set for December of next year.There are a couple of drawbacks however - the hoverboard is currently only able to operate for 15 minutes on a single charge and will cost somewhere around $10,000. It will also only operate on a conductive surface meaning that it wouldn't be possible to ride it down the street.

Despite this however the device marks the first time that an attempt to create a real-life version of the Back to the Future hoverboard has actually come to fruition. There have been several hoaxes and failed attempts over the years but this one at least appears to be the real deal.

It will even be released in the same year as Marty McFly first obtains one in the movie.


Source: Phys.org | Comments (22)

Tags: Hoverboard