If not exactly, it is almost very much there. If you remember the famous movie series, Back to the Future, where McFly is seen hovering on flying skateboards in the 2nd Installment of the series. This dream is made a reality by a group of engineers and researchers at ARX PAX. This fictional gadget was the main attraction of the movie which had become an icon back in 1985. So, after some 35 years, the imagination has been brought to the physical form with real electronics and hardware. Down below you will get back to the future hoverboard how it works.
The Construction
The company that is behind this calls it the Hendo hoverboard and shows off its skills in its YouTube videos online. They are primarily devoted to making hovering engines of various forms and factors that can help develop future technologies. The science behind this is called? MFA or Magnetic Field Architecture, and they have also trademarked this term and the technology.
This has numerous applications according to the developers from industry and automation to education. There is an innovation in the future technology of transportation, and not to mention, recreation. So, what does this MFA do?
MFA is simply a brilliant way to manage and design magnetic fields making it more useful. By combining their relatively weak magnetic fields in the right manner, the total magnetic flux can be made so strong and aligned that it can support someone like a human being and still keeps floating.
The Pitfalls
The machine generates a primary magnetic field which induces an electric current in the surface below, and that is why it has to be a conducting surface. The lift is possible due to the eddy currents and the opposing magnetic field. In simple words, two electromagnets are opposing each other and that is how they remain floating.
There is also the fact that you have to learn to balance the thing. The motion and control of this device which is Omni-directional and propulsion, braking, etc. are not that intuitive and can be a bothersome experience. This, of course, allows it to turn by 360 degrees easily without any turning radius. So, these can be perceived as advantages by some and pitfalls by others, completely based on their intended application.
Pros
- The idea of the floating hoverboard and hoverboard engines is best for some cases where the application demands such.
- It uses electricity and converts it to magnetic fields to do everything, which is readily available.
- It is portable as you can move around without any wires.
Cons
- The prototype that you can see in YouTube videos costs a whopping $10,000 to manufacture.
- The hoverboard can float only over metal surfaces, as they are highly conducting.
- The board needs to be charged after 15 minutes of operation, so not exactly useful at this point.
Thoughts
As of now, Back to the Future hoverboard seems a reality but is far away from being functional in any manner, except, for educational purposes, it is a feat that is worth appreciating.