Skip to main content

Are you ready for the future? Lexus to unveil its Slide hoverboard August 5

In Back to the Future Part II, Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly traveled to October 21, 2015, to secure the fate of his future children. Once there, he was engulfed in a cutting-edge and revolutionary landscape, one filled with holographic sharks, bizarre Pepsi containers, and of course, hoverboards.

Lexus has announced that it will unveil its Slide hoverboard concept on August 5, meaning that we’re right on schedule for McFly’s arrival. Sort of.

As we discussed when the concept was first teased, the Slide uses liquid nitrogen-cooled superconductors, permanent magnets, and some sort of black magic voodoo to levitate, yet the technology only works over surfaces with a decent magnetic field. In other words, metal. That means the Slide probably won’t be tearing up your local skate park any time soon, and kick flips aren’t happening.

Still, we’ve only seen a couple clips of the board levitating and scooting along sans rider, so it should be quite the sight to (possibly) witness someone perched atop it just like Martin Seamus himself. We just hope someone at Lexus invented a sweet auto-drying jacket to go along with it.

The Lexus Hoverboard arrives August 5th

In reality, magnetic levitation is nothing new, as companies and researchers have been toying with the technology for years. “Mag-lev” systems have been featured on high-speed trains for some time now, however the Slide is definitely the first application of its kind. The top of the board is finished in natural bamboo — etched with the Lexus logo, of course — and the brand’s trademark spindle grille shape is featured prominently on top.

If you’re hoping the Slide shows up in stores one day, don’t hold your breath. The prototype was created as a showcase of Lexus’ creativity and innovation — part of the group’s “Amazing in Motion” project — and mainly serves as a unique marketing opportunity.

Why the company didn’t wait till October 21 to release it, though, we’ll never understand.

Editors' Recommendations

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Tesla Model 3 vs. Hyundai Ioniq 6: Which electric sedan is best?
Front three quarter view of the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6.

There are finally some more electric sedan options. For years, the Tesla Model 3 was really the only good electric sedan that comes at a reasonable price -- until, Hyundai recently launched the Ioniq 6. The Ioniq 6 certainly takes some cues from the larger Ioniq 5, but is smaller and sleeker, with a design seemingly inspired by the Porsche 911.

But the Tesla Model 3 is still clearly an excellent option for those looking for an electric car, and who don't want a larger crossover. Which is better? Here's a look.
Design
The exterior design of the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6 is quite different. If you've seen a Tesla car before, then you'll immediately recognize the Model 3 -- it looks largely like a slightly different version of every other Tesla (except the Cybertruck).

Read more
Scout Motors Electric SUV: rumored price, release date, design, and more
Scout SUV Teaser

There's another electric SUV on the way, and this one comes with a familiar name. Volkswagen is reviving the classic Scout name for a new electric SUV that's billed as being an "RUV," or a rugged utility vehicle. And, it could well prove itself as the best electric SUV in its price range, when it does finally come out.

The new EV isn't due out for quite some time, but there's already a fair bit that we know about it. Curious to learn more? Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming Scout SUV.
Design
There's very little we actually know about the Scout SUV so far, but we do know a little about the eventual design. A few teasers for the upcoming vehicle have been released, showing sketches of both the SUV and the accompanying pickup truck, along with what's presumably the front of the SUV -- though in a dark environment, with little detail.

Read more
Volkswagen ID.GTI concept is another icon reimagined as an EV
Front three quarter view of the Volkswagen ID.GTI concept.

Volkswagen reinvented one of its most iconic models with the ID.Buzz, a modern, all-electric homage to the classic Microbus. But that's not the only fan favorite vehicle currently in the automaker's catalog.

Debuting at the 2023 Munich Auto Show, the Volkswagen ID.GTI concept aims to do for the Golf GTI hot hatchback — VW's signature performance car — what the ID.Buzz did for the Microbus. VW claims a production version has already been given the green light, although it won't say when it will appear.

Read more