Video: An Incredibly Accurate (Working!) Hoverboard Replica Would Make Future-Marty Proud

I want one....
my question is, does he require the platform in order for it to work? So can he just put the hoverboard any where and voila it works? Also do you need rockets to go over water?

Everyone knows hoverboards dont work on water.

I would prefer the surfboard of Silver Surfer instead :-)

I mean, you could technically make a "skating rink" for those, build a large area with a floor just like the platform...would be so damn awesome! I can't believe no one has at least done what this guy did untill now!

I bet it's magnets in the display. Evidence:

It rocks back and forth but doesnt move left and right like it would if there were propulsion underneath.

No intake for the fans.

Ruler used to demonstrate it was hovering was plastic.

Not demonstrated anywhere else away from the podium.

I'm not usually "that guy" that calls foul on PopSci articles, but if you had something that made it more believable it was actually hovering..? And if it is magnets..that's not really that impressive. In my opinion.

"Everyone knows hoverboards dont work on water." - Yea... you've got to have POWERRRR!!!!

Yhis thing is hardly "working". We have maglev trains that actually support peoples weight. What happens if you get on this thing? I'm guessing a whole lotta nothin'. Feh, I say!

Why not build a track made of cheap magnets for the hoverboard to fly over? The track could be inclined slightly to produce propulsion. The hoverboard could have the more powerful neodymium magnets for lift. I recall seeing a similar patent application for cars floating on magnet highways.

Of course it doesn't work. There are magnets in the display stand that it floats on.

A real hoverboard would have to negate the effects of gravity for itself and the user (so far only a superconducting magnet has even hinted at the possibility of dialing down gravity - but requires massive amounts of power... and on the topic of practicality, it's more energy than batteries that can be fitted on a board like this can hold...) But assuming we find a solution for all that, we'd still need to have sensors to detect where the ground is and a propulsion system to keep the rider and the board close to it because by turning off the effects of gravity, you could just float off into the sky. The sensors/propulsion system combo we can do. It's the whole 'turning off the effects of gravity' thing that is not in the foreseeable future.

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But of course, I suppose this artist was clever enough to finish what many scientists in the past century have failed to do, as well as fitted a sensor/propulsion system on the board (though it doesn't appear in the video) and figured out how to store massive power in ridiculously small (by our standards) batteries fitted within the board. So yeah, maybe it works. Still doesn't explain why he didn't ride it though.

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did anyone actually read the article? its says you can't ride it. It said he just did it as a sculpture. It says it uses electromagnets. All in just a few paragraphs all your questions were answered.

Thank you ajohnson! seriously people...

most of you need to read the article...it states he used electro-magnets...a hover rink as Setarip suggests would be cool

Cool. Now wake me up when they make one I can actually ride on.

@JohnStClair about the Neodymium magnets, if you were to get the board slightly on its side, the board would be nearly impossible to get off the ground(without a crowbar and a hole on the board. With that being said, there would probably be no "skate parks". Without a sensible means of propulsion, I agree with alias007 that this is not going to be seen for a looong while.

Would it even be possible to stand up on a hover board ? Don't we use friction a lot to stand up and not fall over .

This is so awesome! I can't wait until they make one you can ride on!

There is no way an actual working one of these could (ever) be made; not unless we discover some new physics. So just keep on dreaming

OMG dude, that is so amazing. Wow Do want!

Lou
www.online-privacy.de.tc

The concept is cool, but as for functionability, wouldn't it be possible to make a hoverboard track system that operates like those magnetic bullet trains? The ones with the tracks that have magnets inside them that switch on and off in sequences to move the train along? I may have it all wrong, but just a thought.

When do they go on sale?

What is all this talk about propulsion? Hoverboard propulsion is by foot or by holding on to a car, a train, or a string of flags! The rockets are totally optional.

I like the skate rink idea, and the propulsion would be the same as a maglev train. On the board, you would alternate the positive and negative polarity, one attracts, the other repels..now for power, they do have the power mats, maybe a very large one built into the rink to keep batteries/capacitors charged. You could also use gyroscopes to help with stabilization, like the Segway does.
I think all the technology is out there, but it is a question of expense.

As much as I hate to say it, I built something similar using plywood and old car speaker magnets when I was a 11. Granted it looked like crap, but it did float. I was equally disappointed then when I realized I couldn't ride it.

Though it would be cool to have a hoverboard, it's not very practical to make a $5,000 item to replace a $50 item that works even better than the $5,000 item. I don't really see any benefits of having a hoverboard rather than a regular skateboard even if it were somehow possible.

The seeker of knowledge who seeks to reach beyond the stars to go where no mans gone before to see things no man has seen and bring these experiences back for the whole world to hear and see.

Hi evryone this is a idea i came up with this is what i think may work find a powerful magnet make it in a size that fits on a board then you make the outerskin of the board into solar cells then coat them in a dust prepelent that pushes dust particles away from it then coat that in a powerful sealent to prevent water damages and scratches and to add a longer life span to the board batterys are stored in the board itself leaving some room for a water holder now install a storage compartment for for waterand room for a small elctric rod now putting in a small packet of catalyste walla electricity poweful enogh to power more than 32 homes ina baord now build a giant indoor out door what ever preference skate park walla hoverboard city you could for etra measure have shoes installed with small electro magnets that grip riders shoes to board and a remote to diable and enable this feature on command and you have a hoverboard that can be used recreationaly and you get rid of pesky falling isuues if balanceing this system becomes an issue place small mags that are slated that determine your feets presure area like the wii board and a small computer will control mags elec field push to keep baord upword when stand still and when user is riding and making turns correct amount of resistence to allow baord to slant a bit this will fix balance issues .i think my assesment is fare i blieve my idea for this technology may work.i hope you like my ideas and thots evry one have a great and wonderful day live long and prosper.this is TrulyVisionary.til next time cya

@TrulyVisionary
1: I can't read half the stuff you're saying
2: From what I could make out i understand that this would be extremely impractical and expensive
3: some of the things you're talking about are physically impossible.

Overall, it seems like you're just a 10 year old trying to sound smart, no offense.

It's not real! Doesn't anyone ever actually read what was said about it?

TrulyVisionary, how old are you? You sound like my son. Are you playing around in the computer lab at school again?

Wake that guy up. I have already made one that works from scrap in a junk yard. Welcome to the year 2010. Yeah, it really works.

Hello use the same technology as maglev trains
duh

hey, justin_w222002
all he would need to add are jet rockets and it would be perfect

@jschro, tsk tsk

A. There would have to be a track for it to go on
B. A whole track would be extremely impractical and expensive
C. Do you think a maglev train would work if a giant 100 foot tall man stood on it?
D. Skateboards work better

Come on popsci, stop giving us false hope. this isn't an art gallery and we aren't art enthusiasts. We are gadgeteers and scientists!