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Development => Hardware => Topic started by: Dream of Omnimaga on July 31, 2015, 06:32:50 AM

Title: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on July 31, 2015, 06:32:50 AM
So apparently, Lexus, the car company, made an hoverboard:

http://www.appy-geek.com/Web/ArticleWeb.aspx?regionid=2&articleid=45683566&source=facebook
https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lexus-int.com%2Famazinginmotion%2Fslide%2F&redir_token=URQin_2_QbbPWB9dBdNqQ47SXi58MTQzODQxMDM5MkAxNDM4MzIzOTky

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zTCgMPZRuo

I am unsure if it's a late April fools joke, some sort of ad to one of their new cars or if it's actually real, but I am curious about how practical it will be if it's the latter? Apparently, it uses liquid nitrogen-cooled superconductors and magnets. I'm not really familiar with the science behind this, but wouldn't the fact it uses magnets mean that the hoverboard will only work on metallic surfaces or would the liquid nitrogen help as well? And doesn't the latter get depleted over time?

Also wouldn't there be safety risks by holding it where those fumes in the video were escaping? If it's the case then I bet it will get banned from some countries.

In any case, though, it looks cool if it's real, and it was about time it happens :)
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Yuki on July 31, 2015, 06:50:14 AM
Hey, it's 2015, it's like in this movie, Back to the Future II.
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on July 31, 2015, 06:59:51 AM
Yeah that was my thoughts when I saw this. :P Even Nike is apparently working on auto-lacing shoes now (although they'll look different IIRC, unlike the ones in 2011 that didn't lace automatically).

An hoverboard that works on any solid surface for an hour would definitively rule, though O.O
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Unicorn on July 31, 2015, 07:37:36 AM
If this is going to be a thing, kids most probably won't be able to afford it, and kids should be the target market for this.
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on July 31, 2015, 08:14:57 AM
Yeah it will probably be in the 4 digits in terms of price. I guess that rich kids will be able to afford it, but then comes the safety issue. I am fairly sure that if this gets the pass, then only people above 13 or maybe 18 will be allowed to use or buy it or kids will be required to use it under parental supervision.
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Snektron on July 31, 2015, 09:48:49 AM
Also it would be a bit unhandy to have to fuel it with liquid nitrogen all the time :P (also i think that c can get quite expensive)
Anyway it's used to cool some metals (Wolfram (Tungsten) iirc) to a point where they start super conduncting, and they hover a certain hight above magnetic surfaces (actually, i think they reach a point where they don't have ANY electrical resistance).
They're cing awesome and probably the key to future transport and such, providing we can find a metal that doesn't need to be cooled to like -200 degrees celcius.

I saw an exposition about it in Leiden (boerhaave i think), since they were discovered there. I even got to touch one O.O
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on July 31, 2015, 04:35:26 PM
I am not 100% certain that liquid nitrogen is available to the big public in the first place. And if it is then it's probably not in every country. Imagine someone buying the hoverboard, only to find out that there's no place where he lives that sells liquid nitrogen.

And nice Cumred. :D
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Unicorn on July 31, 2015, 05:51:49 PM
Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on July 31, 2015, 08:14:57 AM
Yeah it will probably be in the 4 digits in terms of price. I guess that rich kids will be able to afford it, but then comes the safety issue. I am fairly sure that if this gets the pass, then only people above 13 or maybe 18 will be allowed to use or buy it or kids will be required to use it under parental supervision.
Yeah, or they create a kiddy one that drives itself when it gets out of control O.O
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on August 01, 2015, 05:45:06 PM
I think that would be hard and the fuel required for propulsion would be expensive as hell. >.<

I think it should remain like a skateboard, but floating.
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Snektron on August 01, 2015, 05:47:53 PM
They will probably not be available to the public, but rather to companies so you can go "a day out hoverboarding" like you do with karting and such
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on August 01, 2015, 05:53:19 PM
Yeah I wouldn't be surprised, but again I think that very rich people will have access to it too.
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Snektron on August 01, 2015, 05:54:28 PM
Yeah or maybe professionals on an organized event.
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Unicorn on August 02, 2015, 06:07:44 AM
Oh yeah, like pro skating or something.
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on August 10, 2015, 05:48:09 AM
So yeah, this came out recently and like I expected, it only works on metal surfaces, but it was still cool nonetheless. THey should try to organize some tournaments. :)
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Unicorn on August 10, 2015, 06:24:21 AM
Is there a sale link online? I want to see the pricing.
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on August 15, 2015, 07:12:25 PM
I don't think so, but perhaps on Google there might be some info about what the pricing might end up being.
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Unicorn on August 16, 2015, 04:39:21 AM
I'll check it out and post here when I remember to :P

EDIT: Prototypes sold for 10,000$ on kick starter soooo very expensive.
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Snektron on August 16, 2015, 10:18:50 AM
Well, the superconductors are probably made of Wolfram (Tungsten) which i think is quite rare and pricy. And to hold a person they'd have to be quite big too.
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on August 17, 2015, 03:38:51 AM
At this price, I sure hope that the hoverboard would at least be durable so that during hoverboarding competitions it won't break immediately after hitting a wall after the person fell.
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: alexgt on August 17, 2015, 02:18:00 PM
Well last thursday I was skate boarding and I fell off as I was going down hill and it wasn't the mildest of injuries, That looks allot less balanced than my RipStik (what I was using) and so I think severe injuries would be common with then O.O
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Unicorn on August 20, 2015, 04:56:27 AM
True, there would probably be liability concerns
Title: Re: Lexus Hoverboard?
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on August 22, 2015, 04:55:15 AM
Indeed. This is why I am a bit concerned that some cities or countries might outlaw this item or require a license/permit.