Lexus, the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota, announced recently that it had successfully completed final testing of its Hoverboard in Cubelles, Barcelona, Spain.

Following extensive testing with pro skateboarder and hoverboard test rider Ross McGouran, in Dresden, Germany, the team was determined to push the hoverboard to its limits and conduct further tests within dynamic surroundings.  

The final test phase was carried out at a specially constructed ‘hoverpark’ in Barcelona. Up to 200 metres of magnetic track was transported to Barcelona from the Dresden facility to lay beneath the hoverpark surface in order to create the dynamic test, offering Lexus the opportunity to demonstrate tricks no skateboard could ever perform, like travelling across water.

The Hoverboard, which was revealed in June, is part of Lexus’ Amazing in Motion programme and was named Project Slide.  It is a result of an 18-month collaboration between scientists from IFW Dresden and evico.

The technology features two ‘cryostats’ which are reservoirs in which superconducting material are kept at -197 degrees through immersion in liquid nitrogen. It runs on a track of permanent magnets, explains Dr Oliver de Haas, CEO of evico.

“The magnetic field from the track is effectively ‘frozen’ into the superconductors in the board, maintaining the distance between the board and the track—essentially keeping the board hovering. This force is strong enough to allow the rider to stand and even jump on the board.”

Lexus has also released videos on YouTube showing the hoverboard in action.