Real hoverboards

How far are we from hoverboards that float?

Magnetic levitation of a rider has been announced as a prototype, and the physics of several levitation methods is well documented. No hoverboard that floats is on sale, and the sources reviewed do not show one working on ordinary ground or public paths.

AI illustration · Illustrative scene, not a photograph of the specific device or experiment.
WHERE WE AREEngineering prototypes

Getting closer. Prototypes exist, but not in real-world use.

Lexus announced a superconducting and permanent-magnet hoverboard prototype in June 2015 and stated it would not be sold, so a prototype has been announced by the manufacturer. The physics of stable magnetic levitation has been shown in peer-reviewed work, but the rider performance figures are company or project statements that were not independently verified in the sources reviewed here. No levitating hoverboard is sold, and the sources do not show public-road or everyday use.

The tech tree

Everything recorded on Vrulum that this future needs, oldest foundations at the top and the goal at the bottom. Lines show what each step requires.

What it takes: Real hoverboards Unlocked Being researched Locked
  1. 2000Magnetic levitationResearch and prototypes Being researched.
  1. Date not recordedHoverboardsNot assessedRequires: Magnetic levitation. Locked.
  1. 2000Passive induced-current levitation concept publishedDone Unlocked.
  2. 2001Stable magnet levitation shown in principleDone Unlocked.
  3. 2015Superconducting hoverboard prototype announcedDone Unlocked.
  4. 2017Superconducting maglev passenger lineIn progress Being researched.
  5. 2020Legal use on ordinary paths and roadsNot started Locked.
  6. Date not recordedIndependent measurement of a rider-carrying levitated boardNot started Locked.
  7. Date not recordedSupervised public use on a prepared trackNot started Locked.
  8. Date not recordedLevitating hoverboards on sale for general useNot started Locked.
  1. GoalReal hoverboardsGoalRequires: Magnetic levitation, Hoverboards, Stable magnet levitation shown in principle, Passive induced-current levitation concept published, Superconducting hoverboard prototype announced, Superconducting maglev passenger line, Independent measurement of a rider-carrying levitated board, Supervised public use on a prepared track, Legal use on ordinary paths and roads, Levitating hoverboards on sale for general use. Locked.

The road so far

3 of 8 steps done, 1 in progress.

  1. Done · Jun 2001Stable magnet levitation shown in principle

    Simon, Heflinger and Geim show that diamagnetic material placed at suitable locations can stabilise magnet-on-magnet levitation, despite Earnshaw's theorem limits on simple static arrangements. [1]

  2. Done · Jun 2000Passive induced-current levitation concept published

    Post and Ryutov describe the Inductrack concept, with permanent magnets on the vehicle and shorted circuits in the track. Lift needs motion above a low transition speed, and auxiliary wheels are needed at rest. [2]

  3. Done · Jun 2015Superconducting hoverboard prototype announced

    Lexus announces a prototype using liquid-nitrogen-cooled superconductors and permanent magnets, and says it will not be on sale. Rider performance has not been independently verified in the sources reviewed. [3]

  4. In progress · 2017Superconducting maglev passenger line

    The Government of Japan describes the SCMAGLEV system in a 2017 article and says Japan plans to open a SCMAGLEV passenger line in 2027. That timetable is not confirmed in the sources reviewed, and this step concerns trains rather than personal boards. [4]

  5. Not startedIndependent measurement of a rider-carrying levitated board

    No source reviewed reports an independent test that records gap, load, power and duration for a person standing on a levitating board over a defined surface.

  6. Not startedSupervised public use on a prepared track

    No source reviewed shows a levitating board carrying members of the public in a venue. A prepared track, supervision and maintenance records would be needed.

  7. Not started · Jul 2020Legal use on ordinary paths and roads

    UK guidance prohibits use of powered transporters in pedestrian spaces and cycle lanes, and permits use on private land with the landowner's permission. No levitating board is shown to meet public-road requirements. [5]

  8. Not startedLevitating hoverboards on sale for general use

    The Lexus prototype is stated as not for sale. No source reviewed shows a levitating hoverboard for sale to the public, or one that works without a prepared surface.

Why it matters

A floating personal vehicle would change how people think about transport and play, but the sources show that levitation depends on magnetic tracks, cooling or motion. Distinguishing a wheeled self-balancing board, a levitating prototype and a usable service is needed before judging how close the idea is.

What stands in the way

  • Stable levitation needs a restoring mechanism, because Earnshaw's theorem rules out simple static arrangements of fixed magnets.
  • Superconducting designs need cryogenic cooling, which adds preparation, supplies and staffing.
  • Magnetic levitation needs a counterpart track or engineered surface, so ordinary pavement cannot be assumed to work.
  • Passive induced-current systems need motion above a transition speed, so a standing board cannot lift from rest without wheels or another support.
  • UK guidance restricts use of hoverboards on pedestrian routes and cycle lanes, and requires landowner permission on private land.

Signals to watch

  • A peer-reviewed or independently measured report of a rider-carrying levitated board, with stated gap, load, power and duration.
  • A manufacturer announcement that names the track or surface a levitating board needs and gives its test conditions.
  • An official change to the planned 2027 opening of a SCMAGLEV passenger line, or to the SCMAGLEV system description.
  • Changes to UK or other national rules on powered transporters in public spaces.
  • Published records of repeat trials, failures and maintenance for any levitating board demonstration.

Sources

  1. peer reviewed paper
    Diamagnetically stabilized magnet levitation
    M. D. Simon, L. O. Heflinger, A. K. Geim. American Journal of Physics, Jun 2001.
  2. conference paper
    The Inductrack Approach to Magnetic Levitation
    R. F. Post, D. D. Ryutov. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (OSTI, report UCRL-JC-138593), 19 Apr 2000.
  3. company announcement
    Lexus creates hoverboard of the future
    Lexus (company newsroom), 23 Jun 2015.
  4. government report
    SCMAGLEV: The Japanese Technology That Will Revolutionize Intercity Transport
    Government of Japan (JapanGov, japan.go.jp, Spring 2017 feature), 2017.
  5. government report
    Powered transporters
    UK Department for Transport (GOV.UK), 13 Jul 2020.

Last reviewed 21 Oct 2026.