TOKYO /PRNewswire/ --
New film for the latest Amazing in
Motion campaign shows final testing
in Barcelona
Following the unveiling of the Lexus Hoverboard in June, the luxury
automotive company is completing a full and final reveal of the
project concluding a successful testing phase which took place in
Cubelles, Barcelona.
To
view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7585051-lexus-hoverboard-ride-revealed/
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150623/225086LOGO )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwSwZ2Y0Ops
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_BYvUlDviM
Mark Templin, Executive Vice President at Lexus
International said: "Embarking on this project, we set out to push
the boundaries of technology, design and innovation to make the
impossible possible. With this project we call 'SLIDE', we
collaborated with partners who share our passion for creating
enjoyment out of motion. Even through combining our technology and
expertise, we discovered making a hoverboard isn't an easy process.
We've experienced the highs and lows and have overcome a few
challenges, but through mutual determination we have created a
demonstration of our philosophy in design and technology to create
Amazing in Motion."
The
Lexus Hoverboard project began 18 months ago through a
collaboration with a team of scientists from IFW Dresden and evico
GmbH, who specialize in magnetic levitation technology. Following
extensive testing with pro skateboarder and hoverboard test
rider Ross McGouran, in Dresden, Germany, the team were determined to push the hoverboard
to its limits and conduct further tests within dynamic
surroundings.
"I've
spent 20 years skateboarding, but without friction it feels like
I've had to learn a whole new skill, particularly in the stance and
balance in order to ride the hoverboard. It's a whole new
experience," said pro skateboarder and hoverboard test
rider Ross McGouran.
Since
the Lexus Hoverboard was unveiled in June, testing has been carried
out in a specially constructed hoverpark, combining elements from
skate culture with technology within its architecture. Up to 200
meters of magnetic track was transported to Barcelona from the Dresden facility to lay beneath
the hoverpark surface in order to create the dynamic test, offering
Lexus the opportunity to demonstrate tricks no skateboard could
ever perform, like travelling across water. Lexus has captured the
final ride footage and released it as a film led by award winning
director Henry-Alex Rubin.
The
Lexus Hoverboard technology features two "cryostats"-reservoirs in
which superconducting material is kept at -197 degrees through
immersion in liquid nitrogen. The board is then placed above a
track that contains permanent magnets. Dr. Oliver de Haas, evico CEO, said: "The magnetic field from
the track is effectively 'frozen' into the superconductors in the
board, maintaining the distance between the board and the
track-essentially keeping the board hovering. This force is strong
enough to allow the rider to stand and even jump on the board."
The
Lexus Hoverboard film called "SLIDE" features the high performance
GS F and is part of the fourth project in the Lexus "Amazing in
Motion" campaign series that showcases creativity and innovation
from the Lexus brand.
For
further information, images and video footage go to http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7585051-lexus-hoverboard-ride-revealed/
Notes
to editors:
The
Lexus Hoverboard remains a prototype and will not be on sale.
Official hashtags: #LexusHover and #AmazingInMotion.
About
Amazing in Motion: "Amazing in Motion" is an inspiring set of
global projects, created by Lexus International to showcase its
imagination, innovation and design excellence. It builds
on the Lexus ambition to connect with the hearts, as well as the
minds, of the consumer. SLIDE is the 4th in the series of the
Amazing in Motion campaign. The previous campaigns can be viewed
at: amazinginmotion.com
About
evico GmbH: evico GmbH is an independent organization with
affiliation to the Leibniz-Institute for Solid State and Materials
Research Dresden (IFW), both based in Dresden, Germany. Evico develops superconducting magnetic bearings
for industrial applications and transportation. IFW is a leading
research institute in the field of material science that performs
research from the fundamentals to applications.
About Ross McGouran: With his effortless style and huge bag of
tricks, Ross has become one of the fastest and most engaging
skaters around. Ross began skating 20 years ago on the concrete
surfaces of his local skate park in the U.K. He came up quickly
through the sponsored ranks due to his ability to skate
anything-flying through every contest he entered. Ross is part of
the Element Europe team. He is also a pro-rider for Vans Europe,
travelling with them to countries such as Sri
Lanka, China, New
Zealand, Australia, and Spain.
Recent
Career Achievements: 2009 and 2010 - 1st UK Champs, 2011 - 2nd UK
Champs, 2012 -1st Vans DTSD Amsterdam, 2014 -1st Oslo Games.
Being
sponsored by Vans & Element has given Ross a platform to
showcase his talent, and magazines such as Sidewalk, The Berrics
and Red Bull Skateboarding have been quick to seize on this;
especially in the wake of the phenomenally successful "Hold it
Down" video from 2013.
About Henry-Alex Rubin: Upon graduating from Columbia University's film
program, Henry-Alex Rubin dove into filmmaking and was
mentored by director James Mangold. Since then, Henry has made documentary
films and broken into the commercial world, winning various awards
along the way. Recently, Henry collaborated withChiat Day and Gatorade on Derek Jeter's goodbye spot celebrating Yankees fans,
the city of New
York and the end of Jeter's baseball career. The spot
received worldwide acclaim and was featured as Adweek's Ad of the
Day, gaining over 9 million hits on YouTube. At the Cannes Lions
2015, Henry came away with a number of Lions, including a Gold in Film for his Gatorade "Made In
NY" spot. He also swept the decks with his Burger King, "Proud
Whopper" spot, taking home a phenomenal 9 Lions, including 3 Gold, 3 Silver and 3 Bronze across the
categories.
Source: Lexus International