This tiny hovercraft went viral.

Hideyasu Ito runs the Micro Hovercraft Laboratory, and I got to meet him and ride his incredible four-bubble hovercraft. ■ The Laboratory: @hideito9042 mhlabo.web.fc2.com/ or / microhovercraft
Local producer: Yasuharu Matsuno at Mind Architect
Camera and edit: Julian Domanski
(This video has an English dub available on supported devices. Change the language option to use it!)
🟥 MORE FROM TOM: www.tomscott.com/
(you can find contact details and social links there too)
📰 WEEKLY NEWSLETTER with good stuff from the rest of the internet: www.tomscott.com/newsletter/
❓ LATERAL, free weekly podcast: lateralcast.com/ / lateralcast
➕ TOM SCOTT PLUS: / tomscottplus
👥 THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: / techdif

[@TomScottGo]

And that's the last video from Japan! Thanks so much to everyone I met there, and especially to my local producer and camera op who made the whole thing possible.

[@minorii24]

onward to new places...!

[@randomsfunnysfails]

Are you a time traveler?

[@sudind]

The videos in Japan were something special.

[@nedwatson3440]

Hope you come back to Japan again!

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

It's been an absolute joy watching these videos, so thanks to everyone involved from your many fans, I'm sure!

[@BionicTem]

I love that it's not like the future of transport or anything it's just a guy who likes making hovercraft

[@squeaksquawk4255]

It's the future of single-person hovercraft transport.

[@mdrzn]

definitely extremely too loud to use in any area with people around

[@yetanotherdan]

@@mdrzn They're making advancements in drone propellors that are much quieter, I wonder if they could use that tech here too. Probably could help with the sound if this guy got the funding he deserved and got some higher end equipment.

[@KainYusanagi]

@@yetanotherdan Oh definitely. He's just using commercial-grade fans that are meant to be encased in computers and running at much lower RPMs, so the whirring at high speeds doesn't matter so much (and is more a telltale sign you need to cool down your PC) along with a leaf blower engine. If he could source those whisper-quiet rotors from that one drone video Tom did awhile back, then they'd be way quieter, no doubt.

[@LargeFather69]

Cool as hell that we live in a time where a dude can make hovercraft for shits and giggles

[@elijahh2220]

I absolutely love that the story of how this guy became a hobbyist hovercraft builder begins with "I found leaf blowers being sold really cheap"

[@taylor3950]

It’s so pure

[@creativecraving]

I know! It's the most unpretentious thing ever!

[@rafaelperalta1676]

and it just clicked! Creativity at its finest.

[@Kris_with_Banana]

Asians when discount:

[@icebuildsrobots]

That's how a lot of people that make things start out.

[@DuncanJimmy]

Based on aesthetics alone, it's an absolutely stunning invention. It looks like he dipped the craft in a bubble solution and is just riding them above the ground before they pop.

[@MuhammadKharismawan]

@@mal2ksc the transparent material are there mostly for looks, he can go and find sturdier ones easily.

[@CaptVII]

Looks like something straight out of Studio Ghibli!

[@DuncanJimmy]

@@CaptVII Hah! I love that anime reference.

[@jamess43]

Reminds me of Super Mario Bros😂

[@erikthehalfabee6234]

Based on acoustics not so much though

[@gideon7212]

The fact that he didn't understand why it was so popular makes me 100% believe he'll have some success at a shoe based hovercraft

[@HANKSANDY69420]

Yep

[@rya12i]

hover wheelies

[@skyluke9476]

I’m an idiot so why are hovercrafts so popular? Like is it from a specific movie or is it’s just in general sci-fi has it? Personally hover crafts never really interested me unless they eventually gain like a few feet of distance of clearance but that seems so far away.

[@gideon7212]

@@skyluke9476 I think it's the scifi idea of floating. I do agree it's generally not that practical, but that doesn't really affect popularity

[@MarioGoatse]

The fact that he just walks out of the room and leaves Tom spinning around on the court is hilarious. I can just imagine him looking over at him doing 360s and thinking “ah, he’ll work it out” lmao

[@davidmcgill1000]

Surprised they got permission to use that gym. Those thin little wheels are not good for the flooring in there.

[@davisev5225]

@@davidmcgill1000 If kept clean (i.e. not rolled around outside), they actually won't damage the floor at all. It's the bits of gravel and sand that get embedded in the wheels, and the plastic getting chewed up by rough surfaces, that make them harmful for polished wood floors. Also, the wheels don't spend much time rolling around.

[@TheAureliac]

Or he was too stressed out to watch.

[@grn1]

From what I know of Japanese culture it's not uncommon for people to just leave without saying anything. Dude probably figured that Tom couldn't do too much damage to the craft either and saw that he was trying to be careful.

[@chubs2312]

Tom is going for platinum in Japan

[@mozarella_cheese]

why go for platinum?

[@metropod]

There’s an Alphaville joke in there somewhere…

[@iteerrex8166]

What’s plat? 10 mil?

[@illiiilli24601]

Don't know if that'll happen, considering this is his last video in Japan

[@lukilsn]

​@@mozarella_cheese i think you get a platinum award, when you get all achievements in a video game on playstation

[@kedo]

"My local producer in Japan." I sometimes forget that there's a whole team of people behind this series. Wish we could learn about them, their role, and how it all works together to create what we see.

[@sudhanvakashyap297]

bot

[@yitz7805]

Same here!

[@lawrencecalablaster568]

Wait, really? Bots have learned to be nice now.

[@Descriptor413]

@@lawrencecalablaster568 Maybe we need more of these kinds of bots, to drown out the awful humans

[@revimfadli4666]

​@@sudhanvakashyap297 mid

[@_maxgray]

"Tom goes to talk to people about their awesome hobbies just for fun" is a genre I would love to see more of!

[@Elish-a]

I enjoy those as well 👍

[@greason]

"it surprisingly works!" Inventors being surprised by themselves is always amazing

[@pseudotasuki]

I love when I design something and it actually does what I intended.

[@MrPilotStunts]

@@pseudotasuki when it does something you didn't intend it's even more exciting. Sometimes dangerous, but exciting.

[@pseudotasuki]

@@MrPilotStunts Occasionally!

[@christopheralleman8373]

just goes to show that trying to make something is the most important part of the process

[@JGnLAU8OAWF6]

It's even more surprising when you know how many corners you cut.

[@MegaMiley]

Bought a leaf blower, didn't know what to do with it, builds a hovercraft.. 100% Approved :D

[@sowianskizonierz2693]

When life gives you lemons...

[@theloverlyladylo9158]

I know the saying is that necessity is the mother of invention, but “well now what am I going to do with that?” is probably it’s father.

[@jwalster9412]

"how do I use this thing?" *Points at ground* "This creates a lot of thrist ayy-- 😮💡

[@rickeydart3040]

@@sowianskizonierz2693 Build a lemon-powered hovercraft.

[@Immortal-Daiki]

​@@sowianskizonierz2693 you build a car 😂

[@rcbinchicken]

Mr. Ito made a vehicle that not only moves, but LEVITATES an adult human, using six off-the-shelf (by the looks of it) 70mm EDF units. As a RC aircraft hobbyist, this fills me with glee. The inventor being a super chill dude and the device itself looking amazing are nice bonuses too!

[@melonmusk7502]

Imagine if he uses the compressor wheel of a turbocharger

[@Merrsharr]

This makes me wonder if a hovercraft could break the world record for self-powered human flight. The last record holder I read about was a bike contraption with HUGE rotor blades that a very fit person barely kept afloat for a few minutes...

[@matheus_ps]

@@melonmusk7502 I dont think you would have the same thrust effect

[@MrKyle700]

@@Merrsharr That was fully self powered, the guy was literally pedaling to power the blades. This has an extremely dense lithium battery attached to it, you could never generate the thrust necessary for lift with just your legs like the contraption your thinking of

[@Merrsharr]

@@MrKyle700 I'm aware that this one is battery powered, but the energy requirements should be less for this than for a quadcopter, therefore I don't see why it shouldn't be possible to pedal-power an air compressor instead.

[@barefootkiwi3026]

2:18 Now there's a principle to live by; "if someone wants to try and make a hovercraft too, it's definitely possible". I mean, I've never thought about making a hovercraft, but now I know it's possible ...

[@TheAureliac]

Definitely.

[@joebleasdale5557]

This guy is the definition of “doing it for the bants”. He’s not here for viral fame, he just wants to make these contraptions because “I think it would be fun!” 😂😂😂

[@sillysongs19]

well said. I love just how understated he is about the whole deal

[@BoredInNW6]

And he was baffled that other people were interested! Instantly likeable guy.

[@SirGingerOfKnight]

"Random Shed in Gloucestershire" Vibes Marvellous!

[@tddeyoung]

Well, he -is- the Archbishop of Banterbury.

[@jwalster9412]

Reminds me a lot of Colin furze before he got into sponsorships.

[@BlameItOnGreg]

How did the skirt material not get talked about at all. I feel like that is a big reason why people have found this so interesting - the skirt material makes it look like it’s floating on top of bubbles! It’s really interesting looking.

[@phildxyz]

Does anyone know what it is? I'm guessing he's repurposed some commercial product.

[@user-ok7nw3hd4k]

@@phildxyz I'm thinking shower curtians, but I wonder how he seamed and sealed them?

[@pantheis]

This is my biggest question, what did he use? Because it seriously looks like large soap bubbles and is simply amazing to watch!

[@petermuller6923]

This looks like a thin kind of soft PVC film, the same matieral, inflatable pool toys are made of. I also wonder, what commercial product he used to build that, because you absolutely cannot weld the PVC material with simple tools. It looks to perfect to have been glued to that shape.

[@GeoffCostanza]

Do a Google image search for "plastic inflatable ottoman"

[@xavilend]

For Tom Scott, it was the greatest day of his hovercraft life, but for that guy, it was simply a Tuesday.

[@annabelle6861]

It honestly made me so happy watching him explain his process, and seeing how he just genuinely enjoys this as a hobby. Great video as always!

[@VeryXXL]

This right here. Seeing that passion is so inspiring

[@yanosaur]

The Japanese take their hobbies very seriously.

[@GnrMilligan]

He was so Japanese! I would love to meet him. I also really enjoyed his enthusiasm.

[@theunholybanana4745]

Same

[@Dabclipers]

Seeing an inventor who isn't doing it for venture capital investment, not for likes on social media, but just because he thinks his ideas will be "fun" to work on is really great. I'm glad to see someone who enjoys what they do purely for the experience of doing it.

[@caramelldansen2204]

based pfp

[@IBeforeAExceptAfterK]

He's living his best life. I hope he never loses that.

[@SioxerNikita]

I mean, that is most "inventors" frankly. The idea of a "venture capitalist inventor" has kind of disappeared frankly. Also because if you actually want to "invent" something new and innovative that you can sell, you very likely need millions in funding. The world of invention being something anyone with a basic understanding of physics could try and compete in is long gone, so all the you have left is frankly left is hobby inventions.

[@Alucard-gt1zf]

That's what makes Colin furze so good

[@YourComputerExpert]

That's actually most inventors, but because it's not for profit or likes you won't see those as often.

[@c182SkylaneRG]

That last one is stable because of the bags he uses. They're wide enough, and skirting just along the ground, that they provide lateral support. You can see that the second he turns them off, he falls over. That said, those bags are a really neat idea: getting the entire hovercraft to change height significantly when you turn it on so a human can comfortably ride, and also comfortably mount/dismount.

[@Driahva]

I love the "I don't know why it was so popular. For me it's just normal" attitude. So humble, laid back. This is the internet, guy, you post a working homemade hovercraft then the tweet is going to *take off*

[@goldberg91]

motherFU**. nice joke. i laughed for about -1 seconds

[@noachav]

There's a childlike expression of pure enjoyment on Tom's face while he's running the hovercraft.

[@jwalster9412]

​@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ 🤮

[@nmspy]

@@jwalster9412 some gaslighting happened here 😂

[@oracleofdelphi4533]

Reminds me of a Zamboni.

[@nmspy]

@@oracleofdelphi4533 reverse zamboni, instead of cleaning the ice it just floats on top 😂

[@Immadeus]

He's an adrenaline junkie remember

[@DavidStruveDesigns]

I dunno why, but grown men playing around with stuff, inventing things "just because" and getting pleasure out of it - plus seeing someone genuinely passionate about what they're doing explain it just brings me _so much_ happiness and joy!! I will never get tired of seeing adults indulging their inner child and inner creativity.

[@Iukini]

That's what life is supposed to be about. Don't lose that spark just because you grew up.

[@marceldagenais1893]

And you just know somebody going to put a gun on it.

[@cognizantbow2275]

@@marceldagenais1893 wouldn’t you rather have and not need?

[@primalaspie]

​@@cognizantbow2275 wrong place for that conversation. just let this group enjoy watching people be happy. stuff about gun laws is important to discuss, but there's a time and a place and this is not it.

[@Farquad76.547]

It’s called being human

[@TheOriginalTraz64]

I love Tom's look of worry when the inventor puts on ear protection and starts it up without Tom having any.

[@horsenuts1831]

When I was growing up in the 1970s in England, there was a guy at the end of the road who used to build hovercraft. He only had a tiny house like us, but there was always one or two hovercraft on his drive. I was constantly fascinated by them, and he would occasionally let the local kids join him on the summer carnival day.

[@DomenBremecXCVI]

He tried so hard to speak English as much as he could. What a legend!

[@AliveisKip]

My favourite Tom Scott videos are the ones where we get to hear his genuine laughter of joy at what he's doing

[@TheEncouragementKid]

"...everyone found it interesting, but for me it's just part of my everyday life" you'll be surprised what you can learn from the unassuming everyday person this guy is a legend using his time here on earth how he wants to. I respect it

[@tumbledryshoes]

3:05 The fact that it has these little roll-a-desk wheels and yet it feels even _more_ like a majestic aircraft taking off because of them

[@torzsmokus]

whEELS fEELS

[@kreeperkiller4423]

@@torzsmokus EELS 🪱

[@111111hakar]

@@kreeperkiller4423 Delicious

[@greensteve9307]

Yes! The whole frame just looks like it came off a desk, and from what Hideyasu Ito said it probably did!

[@woodfur00]

They're not heavy-duty, so it proves that the takeoff and landing is consistently gentle.

[@JustSilen]

I absolutely love how this person simply enjoys his hobby and keeps making things because he finds them amusing

[@JonReevesLA]

You could almost be talking about Tom there (except it's no longer just a hobby).

[@pianoatthirty]

That's how all great art is actually made. It's only when people create out of a need for attention/money/recognition (which is unfortunately the motivation behind the effort of many people) that things go sour. Purity comes from "making things because one finds them amusing"

[@andibozz2057]

That dude is so chill, thanks for showing it to the world/community

[@skimmilk5148]

Tom actually using the language dubbing feature is amazing! Not everyone will use it, but I’m so glad Tom does things like this!

[@oliverfulayter5515]

He's so awesome for it. I love the inclusivity towards his audience. Doesn't matter how, he just wants things to be understood and communicated.

[@theDaNi0]

What is that?

[@vikih6191]

@@theDaNi0 check settings under subtitles

[@skimmilk5148]

@@theDaNi0 If you pop the video settings open, there are two available audio tracks, one of which is an English dub for the Japanese language spoken parts - see midway down the description

[@bazem]

I didn't even know that this exists in youtube

[@JonSenior]

I love how understated Hideyasu Ito is. No excited gesturing. No big shows of emotion. Just calmly explaining how he knew that building a 2 "wheel" version would probably be unstable, but he did it anyway to see what it would be like!

[@SolarShado]

Dude's like, a wholesome af mad scientist. I love it!

[@msachin4885]

you really have to hand it to him like he really went "Yea I saw some dude selling some cheap leaf blowers so I decided to make my life about perfecting these tiny hovercrafts idk"

[@ZeroTsar]

I love that he genuinely has a passion for hovercrafts. It is great to see

[@S.h-comma.to.the.top-Dynasty]

This takes me back to sixth grade when I made hovercraft from my family’s vacuum cleaner. They are surprisingly simple. All you need is some plywood, a shower curtain and a leaf blower (or in my case a vacuum).

[@Rattiar]

This is amazing! I really appreciate people like Mr. Ito. The entire mentality of "Oh, I thought this was a cool notion, so I worked on it," is so fundamental to human progress. Thank you for sharing!

[@IndigoIndustrial]

If we had Universal Basic Income then a lot more people would be doing this.

[@adora_was_taken]

@@xKumata really? so if you didn't have to work to survive you'd just do nothing all day every day?

[@Eaode]

@@IndigoIndustrial this

[@martiddy]

@@adora_was_taken What makes you thing that people won't do anything with a UBI system?. People will finally be able to work on personal projects that they are passionate about without having to worry for the money.

[@1lomi901]

"I found leaf blowers really cheap" I love how such amazing stories start as simply as that

[@notevenalittlebitinterested]

Shoutout to the homie who was selling leaf blowers for cheap!

[@Kimmie6772]

They're a really common way to make one for like a science fair project. I had a classmate growing that used them for a simple bumper boat style hovercraft.

[@deborah3250]

it's inspiring!!!

[@JackSparrow-hh2lh]

really humble guy, making something very extraordinare and saying "I dont know why there are so many reactions about it, its just me building something fun"

[@yaroslavbabych5427]

4:58 The sound it makes when powering off is so satisfying

[@frozenrobert5735]

Love how brilliant and humble the Japanese inventor is -- he seems like a person who just simply enjoys the sheer fun and challenge of inventing! Great stuff!

[@TippyHippy]

I put my hamster in a sock and slammed it against the furniture

[@Numerlon]

He even seems surprised people are enjoying the invention :D

[@LargeFather69]

Guy is living the creative dream. No overhead stress, just tinkering on his own time.

[@mike7002]

People like Hideyasu Ito are rare. What a joy to watch this! The years and years of love and craftsmanship that went into this are clear.

[@stephenwilliams163]

Hideyasu Ito knew he could trust Tom to safely operate the hovercraft after seeing Tom's jetpack skills.

[@macbitz]

I admire Hideyasu's ingenuity and persistence, and wish hime every success with this and future projects. As for Tom gently wafting across the screen on a homemade hovercraft - priceless!

[@tomlewis4205]

right? 😎👍

[@quiscon]

Even thought there is a Tom in every country, I got to say japanese Tom is the best one.

[@PlatinumAltaria]

Oregano Goose Hi Mass to you too.

[@feha92]

Are you referencing Tom Stanton when you talk about non-jp person named Tom who makes air-powered contraptions?

[@MrPilotStunts]

@@feha92 Toms be conquering the air

[@frontenac5083]

*Japanese

[@JorgenKremer]

I was thinking Colin.

[@Eddyspeeder]

The cliffhanger at the end is just amazing, and I am rooting for Hideyasu to turn his visions into reality!

[@clay2889]

Hideyasu san seems so polite and happy that others find his inventions interesting. Very wholesome

[@timmccarthy9917]

Tom Scott if one of those few people who can start a sentence with "of all the hovercrafts I've driven..."

[@kaitlyn__L]

That two-bagged one is definitely compelling! I love that he didn’t try to hide where he got the inspiration from (a lot of guys would say “I realised x”) and encouraged others to try with whatever they have access to!

[@johnnyg7974]

Would a lot of guys say that aye? that’s pure interesting that is, aye.

[@BalthorYT]

It's a very deep-rooted element of the capitalist mindset: if you can claim ownership of the ideas, innovations or applications behind your product, you're boosting your brand's, your product's and your own 'personal' value all at once. Doesn't matter if that claim is false, or worse yet, if you can strongarm your way into making it legally true - at the expense of whoever or whatever gets in the way. Thank goodness those honest, encouraging and cooperative mindsets like Mr. Ito's still stand strong and proliferate, it's that kind of thinking that truly brings the world forward.

[@MsJeffreyF]

Actual Hoverboards coming soon

[@dianauwu1312]

I love how humble this dude is. He just has a fun hobby and wants to share it with the world, its so pure.

[@goffe2282]

.... the fact that it has office-chair-like wheels is just so amazingly silly and genius at the same time. ... and he's so modest about his creation. It's gorgeous.

[@rianantony]

This guy has fenomenal vibes. Almost like a toy maker how he talks about his inventions.

[@sirBrouwer]

I would have loved if a guy like this got in touch with a guy like Colin Furze. What kind of insane contraption would that bring?

[@r8gg]

phenomenal

[@sirBrouwer]

@@r8gg venomonominal

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

@@sirBrouwer Knowing Colin Furze, it'd just be more hovercrafts.

[@sirBrouwer]

@@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 he already has done that. So Colin would make one more insane.

[@itsrainingacid143]

"I appreciate that he trusts me like that, but i'm not sure he should" another iconic tom scott quote

[@Cyromantik]

I simply adore the way the airframes look like repurposed office furniture. This makes my Maker's heart sing with glee!

[@BunkySpewer]

He is so very blessed to be able to do this, like doing this, have access to equipment/parts, and be in a safe environment etc.

[@BMXLore]

The secret to rationalizing the 'push left to go right/right to go left' button layout is to realize that it's a machine meant to constantly move. You hold both buttons down (to go forward) and release in the direction you want to turn.

[@anononomous]

Also it's using bicycle handle bars, where you would physically push left to go right when steering.

[@SirPembertonS.Crevalius]

Tom smiling and laughing like a kid was incredibly precious :D Love to see Tom have so much fun making videos and experiencing amazing and unique things!

[@widmo206]

I think I've seen you before...

[@electrovintinca]

Nice..

[@TheVeryHighKing]

Loved how it seems like he is just doing this for no other reason than he can. No mention of trying to revolutionise how we move, it's just because it is fun!

[@Smile.911]

The motorcycle design looks so much cooler Amazing what he's accomplished

[@TravisFabel]

I love this design. Theres no reason for the bags to be that tall and clear, but it just makes it that much cooler.

[@laurencefraser]

I'd give decent odds that doing it that way was on the cheaper end of the viable options, personally.

[@sarowie]

@@laurencefraser sure; but the Japanese minimalist/only the essential style of engineering and product design is charming and takes a lot of work. Saying that essentially he spends a lot of time to find the perfect part in order to avoid spending a lot of time building it is a compliment.

[@juddphilby9015]

Why did the inventor give the hovercraft a promotion? Because it works tirelessly.

[@nakulaman]

Both the inventor and the machine work tirelessly

[@World_of_OSes]

​@@nakulaman r/whoosh

[@Chameleonred5]

​@@World_of_OSes r/ihavereddit

[@SomeRandomPiggo]

@@World_of_OSes Hello WoOS!

[@krashd]

Doesn't work in the UK as tyrelessly isn't a word. Then again very few Brits bother to use British spelling for tyre nowadays.

[@echobeefpv8530]

This is the kind of inventor I can get behind !! Not for fame and fortune, but for fun and learning !!

[@DaLoveDonkey69420]

I love when people talk and explain things enthusiastically!

[@i.gaskoid]

When I think about a futuristic utopia, I *definitely* want the four-bubble hovercraft to be a part of it

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

My utopia consists largely of Tom Scott video topics.

[@JerryRigEverything]

So cool!

[@msgalt]

you're so cool 😎

[@kylexrex]

Build aHovercraft wheelchair! 😁

[@thomasf.9717]

@@kylexrex I would definitely watch that.

[@abdulrahmanfadel8573]

Oh no , Mr. Hediyasu run , He is coming for your vehicles ruuunnnn

[@SubroOrbus]

Now try it!

[@nemtudom5074]

Im glad the world has people like him

[@Absbor]

A thank you to everyone who has worked on the video. I wanted to thank the language translators, but realized: Everyone should receive a thank you.

[@codaman127]

The use of inner support rings to suspend the surface of the inflated portions uniformly is hella novel. Especially since I can definitely see the reinforcing material at the top of each ring. The guy's right, this is very doable to recreate by people who take the time to learn the fundamentals of what makes a hovercraft work, and how easily that can be replicated with enough ingenuity and imagination. I've used a large trash bag for a curtain before, and even made a reinforced skirt model with hard points at the bottom of a main structure, but just using wire and a supporting ring kept at tension is an incredible idea I haven't considered.

[@MrSonny6155]

I didn't even see the wires until you mentioned them. That's genius.

[@joeldezwaan1149]

Do you know what material the skirt is? It seems like it would need to be really strong

[@BazilRat]

"I think it would be fun" is the best reason to do something like this. I do hope he continues for a long, long time!

[@inkthinker]

The common desk/chair casters under the frame are just the >chef's kiss< of DIY design. Fantastic.

[@AvenDonn]

"I appreciate he trusts me this much but I'm not sure he should" is exactly why he would trust you

[@petecolombo]

Never thought I'd see a home inventor do the Akira bike slide on a handmade hovercraft, but today's the day. Thank you, Tom.

[@danelyman]

These kinds of just-for-fun inventors are always so brilliant and so freaking cool. This guy really just saw a sale and started cranking out sci-fi tech, he's my hero

[@alamcho]

There's something so wholesome about seeing someone who makes big things for fun and not for money or likes. Bravo

[@euankane7928]

Those bubbles are actually an incredible idea the more I think about it the more amazed I am, the more they deflate the more downwards force they exert, incredible

[@ayamtaken2580]

I like the fact that tom was eager to listen and let the guy demonstrate before riding it, many youtubers act like they own the place in situations like this

[@christian_swjy]

A HOVER CRAFT SHOE? Damn this inventor is ambitious and I am all in for it.

[@tumbledryshoes]

If he keeps the bubble skirt design they'd be the ULTIMATE pumps

[@WyvernYT]

I'm thinking of where to put the engine, and running hoses, and so on. I keep thinking more room would be needed; therefore, HOVERPANTS.

[@Morf369]

@@WyvernYT I'm just hoping that they can be compact enough that you could wear them normally, and then skate shoes would finally be a reality!

[@xXImBetterThanYouXx1]

1:21 is EXACTLY how i imagined how tom walks 😭

[@davedooney8473]

This guy's humble brilliance has made my day, wishing him all the best in life!

[@Kevin-cf9nl]

This makes me feel so nostalgic for being a kid, throwing together different hovercraft designs in the garage with spare parts and leftover leafblowers and then crashing them gloriously minutes after building them

[@ICountFrom0]

Right, so we've met the inventor of the hovercycle, we just need to make sure he keeps getting the parts he needs to keep working on it. Confirmed.

[@chair42]

The parts being very common building materials

[@Nirrrina]

Sooo more leaf blowers? Or maybe just a gift card to the hardware store he frequents?

[@phyphor]

Seeing the smile on your face, Tom, made this video worth watching, even if you didn't have the inventor giving us his considered thoughts. The fact you get to share these things with us is a constant delight! You're out here living your best life!

[@AlRoderick]

It's got to be nice doing a marathon trip around Japan to film videos because the public transit works so well. If all you need is your camera gear and your change of clothes, you can easily traverse the whole country with two people and backpacks (and obviously the budget for train fare and hotels)

[@Allan_son]

And a production team.....

[@AlRoderick]

@@Allan_son Tom has referred repeatedly to his local producer and camera operator in the singular, so that would be the one other person. He pulls a big crew out for some of the other stuff but I think on this one it was just the two of them.

[@johnnyg7974]

@@AlRoderick get a life mate

[@perfectworldbeholder]

That bubble-hovercraft is straight out of a cartoon from the 70's lmao this is the future dude

[@sleepysxb7710]

it's such simple beauty and inspiration. this guy hasn't made it big by any means but his creativity and passion made it possible for a shout out like this from someone who has a massive audience

[@Blackholebirb]

It's honestly incredible to see something like this being made with such simple things that you can easily get your hands on. Makes me wonder just how much untapped potential there is in various different fields like this :-)

[@rich6557]

Seeing stuff like this from both big engineering companies and local inventors around the world is amazing. Thanks for helping us explore Tom!

[@colbycannizzaro17]

Love the Wes Anderson shot at 4:32

[@jnhutchinson]

This is great! There's something wonderfully whimsical about how Hideyasu looks riding it

[@hoppoumuppo659]

I can not stop smiling while watching this.😊

[@chestermightbeafrog]

This guys energy is so lovely, the pure joy of what he's making and getting to show someone else interested is heartwarming 💜

[@richards7909]

The gentleman is brilliant and Japan should be proud of him. Also that shot of Tom on the hovercraft going from left to right at a leisurely pace was fantastic!

[@carstarsarstenstesenn]

I love how he's just doing it for fun. Not for money, views, or fame. He's just interested in making fun ideas come to life even if they aren't perfect and that's amazing.

[@stone5against1]

Nice, thanks for sharing with us Tom!

[@Case16710]

I love these things! I love the design of his MH Labo logo, the use of casters for wheels, and that the air cushions look like soap bubbles!

[@IanGacek]

Tom, watching you float around is like watching an air hockey puck stuck in limbo during a game, hahaha.

[@moospresso]

This video made me smile so much! Fantastic! What a guy.

[@JLT0602]

Thank You for sharing your amazing experiences sir Tom.

[@beanofknowledge2125]

I love how the baackstory of this is just him impulse-buying a leafblower. With most people, this would end with the thing laying around somewhere collecting dust, not with a functional hovercraft

[@AnotherAnonymousMan]

@5:50 This casual dismount alone makes him a nominee for coolest guy alive!