Hoverboards have gotten a bad rap lately, what with their spontaneous combusting and faulty batteries, but now, ArcaBoard is here to set the record straight … and also show you what a real hoverboard looks like. We first told you about the world’s first true hoverboard (as in, a board that really does levitate) last Christmas, when it was made available for pre-order at Christmas for a whopping $19,900, but now, the company has some exciting updates to share. First off, you can knock five grand off that original price tag, as the ArcaBoard is now being advertised at $14,900, but more excitingly, the founders have shared a video of the device in action. And yes, friends, it looks like it works.
Heralded as a “revolutionary breakthrough for transportation,” the team behind ArcaBoard promises, “For the first time, every person will be able to fly anytime, anywhere.” Few of the technical aspects have changed — the hoverboard will still feature up to 272 horsepower and 430 pounds of thrust. Its 36 high-power electric ducted fans will keep you in the air for around six minute max, which will take you a little over a mile with a top speed of 12.5 miles per hour.
But never fear, thankfully, ArcaBoard now has replacement battery packs in the works, so that you can quickly substitute fresh juice if you want to stay hovering for more than six minutes (and why wouldn’t you?). This is a definite improvement over the previous solution to a dead battery — a 35-minute charging time.
And of course, the best part is the price cut, which was brought about by partnerships with companies like Southwest Composite Works Inc. in the U.S. and Eco Molding Co. in China.
So if you’re ready for a “new exhilarating experience,” go ahead and pre-order now.
