Creation of ‘magnetic hoverboard’ by Lexus is its latest venture which marks the beginning of its fourth project in the international ‘Amazing in Motion campaign’, wherein Lexus sets an amazing example which proves that a perfect combination of design, technology and imagination can result into creation of incredible products. Basically, Lexus aspires to display its commitment towards pursuing a modern approach in advanced design and technology. Though Lexus has just released a video teaser and few photos under #LexusHover, for now, not much has been disclosed by the company. The marketing gimmicks of the company focuses on the ‘art-meets-technology’ sort of a campaign through its promotional video.
Lexus and experts from the super-conductive technology have together worked to bring the world’s most advanced Hyperboard into existence. Executive Vice President of Lexus International, Mark Templin said: “At Lexus we constantly challenge ourselves and our partners to push the boundaries of what is possible. That determination, combined with our passion and expertise for design and innovation, is what led us to take on the Hoverboard project. It’s the perfect example of the amazing things that can be achieved when you combine technology, design and imagination.” The official Slide website declares that by using the principle of ‘magnetic levitation’, Lexus Hoverboard is able to achieve “amazing frictionless movement” that was thought to be ‘impossible’ till now. The site further also mentions that SLIDE hoverboard has been created by combining liquid nitrogen cooled superconductors and permanent magnets. Lexus seems to have used the fundamentals of physics in the form of Quantum Levitation and Magnetic levitation to create its unique Slide hoverboard. Japan’s Maglev bullet train had set world records in the month of April this year. Now, Lexus seems to be using the fundamental principle of Magnetic Levitation which means an object can be suspended into air with the help of only magnetic fields and no other support. Physicists have earlier demonstrated Quantum Levitation by combining superconductors and magnets. When a material conducts electricity with zero resistance they are known as Superconductors; however the material can generate superconductivity only under extreme cold conditions and it is here that liquid nitrogen comes in the picture. When liquid nitrogen which is about 320 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 195 degrees Celcius) is poured on any superconductor then this activates the superconductive state of that material. Superconductors repel magnets and hence in a quantum levitation a magnet would be seen lifted into the air and moving along the superconductor which is in contact with the liquid nitrogen. So in an experiment physicists used a magnetic track and when they placed a superconductor i.e material soaked in liquid nitrogen, the superconductor got locked with the magnetic field and thus it was able to glide and even suspend from the magnetic field. As per a report from The Verge, Slide hoverboard though an amazing creation cannot be used as a normal local skate as it would need some corresponding magnetic track on which the superconductor can move. Slide Hoverboard shares some of its key designs with the Lexus cars which includes the unique spindle grille signature. Further, even though the hoverboard is an altogether different form of transport, Lexus has used some of its high tech as well as natural materials, such as natural bamboo, which it has been making use of in its luxury car brands. In the coming weeks Lexus would test its prototype in Barcelona prior to its actual launch of its product this summer.
