Drop Your Babies, Hover Boards Are Here!

Science has done it again, bringing to fruition a toy that has roamed and plagued our dreams since we were little kids. A toy once seen only as a prank or in the Back to the Future series—the hoverboard—is finally here.

A California startup, Arx Pax, founded by inventor Greg Henderson, has created a hovering board that levitates the rider's body above the ground. How, you may ask? With high-powered magnets and a non-ferrous metal surface like copper or aluminum to push against.

Henderson explains how it works: "A magnet has an electromagnetic field, right? Which is basically equal in all areas. Has a north and south pole. What if you were able to take those magnets and organize the magnetic field so it's only on one side? Then you combine that with other magnetic fields in a way that amplifies and focuses their strength. That's magnetic field architecture that becomes a primary magnetic field; you have a method of induction, creating a secondary magnetic field."

How the Hoverboard Works

In layman's terms, it's a high-powered magnet powered by battery cells that creates a magnetic field pushing against metal to generate lift. Note that this board only works on non-ferrous metal surfaces. Sorry to those hoping for a new way to get around—you'll have to wait longer.

The Inventor

Founder and chief visionary of Arx Pax, Greg Henderson, was previously an Airborne Ranger with the 101st and 7th Infantry divisions. A West Point graduate with a B.S. in Engineering, he also holds a Master of Architecture from Berkeley. Beyond his CV, Henderson is a 21st-century visionary who "succinctly envisioned a new way to employ an unexploited technology in applications that others did not see." He calls it Magnetic Field Architecture (MFA™).

Riding Experience

Beta testers and potential consumers say it's smooth but uncontrollable. You can push off in a direction, but controlling afterward is difficult. Hoverboards are a few years from major markets, but a steering system is in development. The current model supports up to 300 pounds.

Original Purpose: Earthquake Safety

The "Hendo" hoverboard wasn't meant for riding—it was created for earthquake safety.

Arx Pax aims to levitate buildings during earthquakes, reducing damage, injuries, and deaths. The team hasn't hit limits on size yet, from small to large scale.

This invention's happy accident might bring hoverboards to teenagers and athletes, but the core earthquake goals stand.

Crowdfunding on Kickstarter

The board is in crowdfunding on Kickstarter. $100+ gets a five-minute ride from March 15, 2015. Upwards of $1,000 for an hour with a coach. The 10 original models sold for $10,000 each, shipping around October 21, 2015—the date Marty arrives in Back to the Future Part II.

With a real hoverboard, we sleep easier knowing smart people improve the world and make life fun.