Great Scott! You Will Soon Be Able To Buy A One-Wheeled ‘Hoverboard’

Ever since Back To The Future II came out, people have been waiting for the day they can buy their own hoverboard - and it’s nearly here.

Well, sort of - the real-life ‘hoverboard’ created by a hi-tech surf fan does actually have one wheel in the centre of the board deck.

But inventor Robert Bigler promises users the sensation of surfing on land as they travel at speeds of up to 20mph.

Anyone riding the Hoverboard will be able to control it like a Segway - leaning forward causes the board to accelerate and leaning backwards decelerates.

Bigler hopes the device will prove popular around the world - despite the predicted sale price of £2,600 ($4,000).

The US-based designer is now launching a Kickstarter campaign to put the board into production later this month.

It will finish on October 21 - the day Marty McFly discovered the hoverboard in Back to the Future II.

Bigler said of his design: “I dreamt of a personal electric vehicle that would produce the sensation of surfing on land.

"I didn’t want to approach the first real Hoverboard from the standpoint of making it a price-product.

"I spared no expense to make it fully, everything today’s technology could possibly provide.”

(Flickr)

The Hoverboard has a single, electrically motorised wheel in the centre of its deck.

The narrow wheel is computer-controlled and driven by as much as 5,000 watts of power to keep the rider balanced while also producing acceleration on demand.

If the Kickstarter project fails to take off, Bigler has pledged to still make a few boards for family and friends - then call time on the Hoverboard.