We've been waiting for real Hoverboards for years now, and while we've seen models that run on special surfaces, we have yet to see anything that works everywhere.
Until we get the real thing, however, a new device is being funded on Kickstarter that has one wheel in the middle of the board and uses a self-balancing system to stay up.
"The Hoverboard is the most thrilling imaginable form of personal transportation," says Hoverboard Technologies, the team behind the Kickstarter page. "Our unique self-balancing system uses ground contacting sonar to float the rider over every contour."
Of course, the Hoverboard doesn't really float, but it does claim to offer the sensation of floating. The Kickstarter itself started on Sept. 17 and will run until Oct. 21. The funding goal is $500,000, and at the time of this writing, the campaign had raised $13,566.
A motor that can offer 5,000 watts of power, which turns the 10-inch wheel, powers the Hoverboard. The board's self-balancing system will keep things balanced front-to-back, however, the rider will have to learn to keep balanced from side to side. Leaning forward will cause the board to accelerate, and leaning back will cause it to slow down, eventually reversing.
According to the creator of the board, the device was imagined as less of a substitute to the skateboard and more of a way to "surf on land."
The Hoverboard weighs 25 pounds and has built-in lights, speakers and sonar that detects how far the board is from the ground to keep the device balanced.
Of course, as can be expected, riding the Hoverboard won't be cheap. Most of the pledges on the Kickstarter page are for things like T-shirts and backpacks. A test ride of the Hoverboard will run $175, with a chance to go through "Hoverboard Academy" costing $975. Actually buying the device will start at $3,775, which is a starting price and is limited to 100 sales. The most expensive pledge is for $10,000, which will get the user a "beta board" made from die-cast magnesium and that has a black matte finish.
Via: CNet
