In 1989, Back to the Future Part II looked ahead 26 years to give us a vision of what the now-past future might be like. The movie was surprisingly accurate on a number of predictions, including video calls, smart glasses, voice-activated smart homes, and biometric authentication. But, of all the predictions, these are hardly the most exciting. Where are the flying cars and hoverboards? That’s what we really want!
In the case of hoverboards, Colin Furze is trying to make them a reality (sort of). His hoverboard may not actually hover, but to the rider, the experience will be virtually indistinguishable. By adding magnetic suspension to a custom skateboard with dual decks, riders can shred on a cushion of air.
Testing it out (📷: Colin Furze)
Furze’s build is based on the same magnetic suspension concept he previously experimented with on a custom bicycle. The system is designed around powerful neodymium magnets arranged so that identical poles face each other, creating strong repulsive forces. Two large disc magnets are mounted in the lower chassis, while two more sit directly above them on the underside of the skateboard deck. Because like poles repel, the magnets push the rider’s platform upward, effectively suspending it in mid-air.
Of course, simply placing magnets on two boards would cause them to slide apart instantly. To prevent that, Furze engineered a mechanical guide system that restricts motion to a vertical axis. Early prototypes used vertical steel pins paired with linear bearings. The rider stood on a top deck that could slide up and down the pins while the magnets provided lift. While it technically worked, the setup introduced friction and felt overly rigid, transmitting bumps from the road.
Seeking smoother performance, Furze experimented with several alternative designs. One version featured a longboard-style deck with a massive rear hinge, allowing the front of the board to float on magnets while still giving the rider the ability to steer by tilting the trucks. Another attempt replaced rigid guides with crisscrossed bicycle brake cables. That idea failed spectacularly — the cables simply couldn’t resist the sideways forces of the magnets, causing the board to collapse to one side.
Building the board (📷: Colin Furze)
The final design proved far more successful. Furze replaced the round guide pins with square steel tubes and added custom bearing assemblies housed in 3D-printed sleeves. These components slide within precisely milled slots in the board, dramatically reducing friction while keeping the magnets aligned.
The finished hoverboard uses a double-layered polycarbonate deck that is both strong and slightly flexible, enhancing the floating sensation. When tested over rough cobblestones, the board’s magnetic suspension absorbed vibrations so effectively that a glass of water placed on the deck barely sloshed.
It may not levitate like Marty McFly’s hoverboard, but Furze’s magnet-powered skateboard gets surprisingly close to the feeling of riding on air. For fans still waiting on real hoverboards, that might be the next best thing.
