TLDR: high powered magnets and some posts in bearings to keep the two platforms aligned and provide friction for turning. There have been at least two real-ish hoverboards already, the Hendo version from 2014, and the Lexus version in 2021, three if you count an independent French version from 2011 that Lexus basically made look fancy. That’s probably s far as the technolgy is going to go because of, you know, the laws of physics. That hasn’t stopped Colin Furze from trying to replicate the feeling for mere mortals, or those who don’t have a car company or university to fund them. Well… closer to mere mortal wallet capacity but still expensive I’m sure. Bonus: Colin is not just some kook, he actually skates.
– Thanks to old timey friend of the site and contributor to the original 80’s print zine Karl Kingery for the tip!
Spoiler Alert: (It’s a 22 minute video!) He buys super powerful magnets and mounts them to a platform and more or less, a regular skateboard. The floating part is not hard, magnets repel each other if oriented correctly, but you need some friction to allow your weight cause the trucks to turn. Colin tried some posts, then a hinge, then wires, before finally going back to more or less the original floating post idea with modified placement. This is what he says gives the best hoverboard feel, and it looks goofy and fun as heck. I’d love to try that.
Screen caps for when and if the video inevitably disappears. Sure, he’s got 13.3M subscribers, but he may die before your dear editor does. Skate and Annoy has already outlived Attack of the Show.
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