American aerospace company ARCA Space has announced its version of a hoverboard will be on sale from April this year.
The ArcaBoard is powered by 36 electric ducted fans. It can carry a person up to 110 kg to a height of roughly 30 cm with speeds up to 20 km/h. Flight time for heavier users is limited to about three minutes while light users should be able to fly for up to six minutes.
The board is noticeably bigger than a skateboard at 145 cm long and 76 cm wide.
Built from composite materials, it weighs 82 kg and features a stabilisation system which can be switched on or off. Switched on, it is relatively easy for any user to balance on the board. Switched off requires more balancing skill but gives the rider the ability to control the boards movements through their body's movements in much the same way you would with a skateboard or surfboard.
“ArcaBoard represents a revolution in motion,” said ARCA Space CEO Dumitru Popescu.
"For the last 17 years we have developed aerospace technologies that looked to the sky. We took our knowledge and applied it to everyone’s dreams.”
The company says it can fly over any terrain including water although, if it lands in the water, it needs to dry out completely before it can be flown again.
The board isn't cheap with a current retail price of US$15,000 and another $4500 for the fast charger which will recharge its batteries in 35 minutes compared to six hours with the normal charger.
ARCA Space CEO Dumitru Popescu rides an ArcaBoard.