SLIDE, A Hoverboard Developed by Lexus That Uses Magnetic Levitation and Nitrogen-Cooled Superconductors

Luxury car company Lexus has just released a series of new videos for SLIDE, a Hoverboard they have developed and have been promoting the last few weeks that uses magnetic levitation and nitrogen-cooled superconductors to float above the ground.

Creating SLIDE required re-engineering core technologies and uncovering true technical innovations. From assembling maglev technology into a board, to finding the right combination of superconductors, magnets and liquid nitrogen - every step pushed the team to stretch the possibilities of technology.

The hoverboard is constructed from an insulated core, containing HTSLs (high temperature superconducting blocks). These are housed in cryostats - reservoirs of liquid nitrogen that cool the superconductors to -197C. The board is then placed above a track containing permanent magnets. When the board is cooled to its operating temperature the track's magnetic flux lines are 'pinned' into place, maintaining the hover height of the board.

photo via Lexus