Despite the haziness of the future, there are always attempts to predict what will happen in 30, 40, 50 years. People want to know what novelties we can look forward to. Our curious mindset has led many to hypothesize possible occurrences in the future. In 1964, Isaac Asimov predicted what 2014 would be like, and to the surprise of many, he was fairly accurate in his ideas. Other predictions, on the other hand, are not so accurate. I’m sure you all remember the date December 21,  2012.

My favorite prediction of all time is the hoverboard featured in Back to the Future II. If you haven’t watched it already, the hoverboard itself should be enough motivation for you to do so. In the movie, Marty McFly travels from 1985 to October 21, 2015, and this vehicle is just one of the many fascinating ideas incorporated into the plot. The hoverboard, as the name suggests, is a fictional levitating skateboard that can be used for personal transportation. In other words, a floating skateboard with no wheels.

Since the movie’s release, the idea of hoverboards has gained immense popularity, and after much wishful thinking and skeptical critics, the “fictional” idea is becoming a reality. Former professional skateboarder Tony Hawk was seen riding a HUVrTech hoverboad in a YouTube video posted by the company. Amazing, right? I was obviously very excited and impressed with the invention, a wish that finally become reality. Well, too bad it isn’t actually real.

Soon after the original video was released, another one was uploaded to a different channel explaining how the whole thing was just a prank. Besides this false recreation, there have been many other fake projects and fundraisers imitating that from the movie. Needless to say, I was disappointed. Once more, the hoverboard was just another unrealistic concept I could only dream of.

Recently, however, the impossible overboard has become a reality. Created by Greg and Jill Henderson, Hendo Hoverboard is the world’s first real hoverboard. This new piece of technology can hover about an inch above the ground and carry up to 140 kilograms. From a fanciful prop in a movie, the hoverboard has developed to become actually functional. Yet despite how amazing this novelty is, there are clear weaknesses. The battery of the Hendo Hoverboard lasts only 15 minutes, and it can only float above surfaces specifically made of non-ferrous metals.

In order to refine the technology, Hendo and Arx Pax, the companies behind the hoverboard, have started a Kickstarter with a goal of raising $250,000. Currently, with more than a month to go until the campaign is over, the funding has already reached double the goal amount. Like most other fundraising campaigns, the project comes with perks specific to donation amounts.

With a pledge of $10,000 or more, 11 backers have already claimed their very own hoverboard. This board will continue to go through changes until it can be accessible to the general public. On October 21, 2015, the same day that Marty McFly was sent to the future, there will be an event to formally launch, and deliver, the first set of hoverboards.

After years of just musing over the hoverboard, I can finally have it in my own hands. Sure, there are still miles to go before it can run as efficiently as the one in the movie, but I am happy to see progress in a project I thought was impossible. Once the product becomes available for the general public, you can bet that my hoverboard and I will be inseparable.

Sources: nytimes.com, theguardian.com