Feature

Back to the future with magnetic levitation

The iconic hoverboard from the Back to the Future film franchise is often seen as a futuristic technology that seems plausible, but has never come to fruition.

05/02/2025 16:22:44

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Fans of Marty McFly’s unique mode of transport might be pleased to hear that, while hoverboards never took off in the way sci-fi writers imagined, the world of manufacturing boasts examples of technologies that can give Back to the Future a run for its money.

Here, Stephen Hayes, Managing Director of Beckhoff Automation UK, looks at the magnetic levitation and its revolutionary potential for manufacturing.

In recent years, manufacturers have been investing in magnetic levitation technology, enabling precision, flexibility, and efficiency in previously unimaginable ways. The technology uses different principles from a hoverboard, but tiles that float or levitate along production lines are reminiscent of Back to the Future’s famous hoverboard.

This technology relies on magnetic forces to elevate and guide objects without direct contact, making it highly beneficial in fields requiring precise handling, hygiene, and customisation. A good example is Beckhoff's XPlanar system, which uses levitating, magnetically driven movers to achieve new levels of versatility in production environments.

Read the full article in DPA's February 2025 issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.