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# we don't need roads
Well holy God: Marty McFly's Hoverboard is now a reality (sort of)
It is 2015 after all.
FOR PEOPLE OF a certain age, the year 2015 has a special significance.
That’s right, it’s the year Marty McFly travelled to in Back To The Future part II. And what did he find there? All sorts, but the one that sticks in the head most of all is the Hoverboard (skateboard that hovers, natch) that he uses to get the better of three generations of evil Biff Tannens.
Now, Lexus has come up with a an actual hoverboard – one that’s due to make its debut next week in fact. Unfortunately it’s based on a system of magnets so its usability in public is pretty limited. And in all likelihood it will cost a fortune (it does look hella cool though, we can’t deny that).
So how about this for size? The Airboard (by a company called Airwheel), a self balancing automated board (with wheels however, it’s true).
Basically, it works by the rider inclining their ankles in whatever direction they want to go.
And off you go. With a range of 14 miles and a top speed of 8 miles per hour the Airboard is quite a nifty piece of kit.
Plus it’s (relatively) affordable at £599 (€845).
Here’s a video of some (slightly uncomfortable looking) models putting the Airboard through its paces.
So we’re definitely getting there. Although it doesn’t look like the Airboard will be capable of this in its current incarnation:
You lied to us Hollywood.
