While developing a way for buildings to withstand earthquakes better, a California architect came up with an idea to use electromagnetic fields to separate a building from the ground during an earthquake. To further his idea, he started testing his theory using a board that would allow people to float in mid-air.
The hoverboard uses four engines that emit magnetic fields that push against each other, when the board is used on top of a conductive surface. The metal surface operates as a secondary magnetic field to keep the board floating. The board has been testing to hold up to 40 pounds, and the battery cell lasts approximately seven minutes.