Are we living in Back to the Future? As movie sequel's key date of October 21st, 2015, finally arrives, we reveal what the cult film got right… and wrong

• In Back to the Future Part II Marty McFly and 'Doc' Brown arrive in Hill Valley on 21 October 2015 after travelling forward in time from 1985
• 2015 in the film had hoverboards, self-tying laces and flying cars
• It also featured dog-walking drones, video calls, wearables and 3D films   

By Sarah Griffiths and Victoria Woollaston for MailOnline

Published: 18:00 EST, 20 October 2015 | Updated: 08:57 EST, 21 October 2015

Great Scott, it's the 21st October 2015. 

Today is the day in Back to the Future Part II that Marty McFly and 'Doc' Brown arrive in Hill Valley after travelling forward in time from 1985. 

The 2015 in the film featured hoverboards, self-tying laces, dog-walking drones and flying cars, not to mention Biff Jnr's bizarre metal helmet. 

But how many of the futuristic predictions made in the classic sci-fi film have come true, and how many did it get wrong or miss completely? 

Scroll down for videos 

Great Scott, it's 21 October 2015. Today is the day in Back to the Future Part II that Marty McFly and 'Doc' Brown arrive in Hill Valley after travelling forward in time from 1985 (pictured) 

After arriving in the future, Marty (played by Michael J Fox pictured) has a run-in with Biff Jnr (Thomas Wilson), the son of his arch rival back back in the 1980s. He escapes by stealing a hoverboard from a young girl (pictured). Since this iconic scene, a number of companies have claimed to have built working hoverboards

HOVERBOARDS

After arriving in the future, Marty (played by Michael J Fox) has a run-in with Biff Jnr (Thomas Wilson), the son of his arch rival back in the 1980s.

Marty escapes Biff Jnr's clutches by stealing a hoverboard from a young girl and hitching a ride on the back of a truck.

Since this iconic scene, a number of companies have claimed to have built working hoverboards. 

In October last year, Californian architect Greg Henderson designed a similar board that floats in mid-air called the Hendo Hoverboard.

It uses four 'hover engines' that emit magnetic fields which push against each other as long as a metal conductor is used in the surface underneath.

Champion skateboarder Tony Hawk has tested it and shown that it works. 

The idea came to Mr Henderson while he was trying to find ways of building structures that can better withstand earthquakes.

As part of his research, he came up with a method that uses electromagnetic fields to separate the building from the ground in the event of a disaster.

In October last year, Californian architect Greg Henderson designed a similar board that floats in mid-air called the Hendo Hoverboard. It uses four 'hover engines' that emit magnetic fields which push against each other as long as a metal conductor is used in the surface underneath (pictured)

In June, Lexus revealed what appeared to be a working prototype hoverboard called Slide. It uses a combination of superconductors, magnets and liquid nitrogen to 'levitate' (pictured) and is made from an insulated core, containing HTSLs (high temperature superconducting blocks)

That same technology, he realised, could also be put to work in a hoverboard that would allow people to glide on air, and in a video released by Mr Henderson, a man is seen moving smoothly along a custom-built skate ramp on his board, which is held an inch off the ground.

Unlike the Back to the Future board, though, the technology requires it to be on top of conductive materials - such as copper or aluminum - to serve as a secondary magnetic field.

Mr Henderson is expected to unveil a follow-up model later today and this could more closely resemble the board in the film.  

In June, Lexus revealed what appeared to be a working prototype hoverboard called Slide. 

It uses a combination of superconductors, magnets and liquid nitrogen to 'levitate'. and is made from an insulated core, containing HTSLs (high temperature superconducting blocks).

These are housed in cryostats, or reservoirs of liquid nitrogen that cool the superconductors to -197°C.

When placed above a track containing permanent magnets and cooled to its operating temperature, the track's magnetic flux lines are 'pinned' into place, maintaining the hover height of the board.

It was initially unveiled in a stylish video, at which time, the firm refused to reveal how it worked. 

Two months later, however, Lexus admitted the video had been filmed in a skatepark where the special tracks needed for the board to work had been covered up. 

After receiving a 'hover conversion' in the future, Doc's DeLorean is shown folding up its wheels and flying in the second installment of the trilogy (pictured). Doc (played by Christopher Lloyd) even exclaims: 'Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads'

FLYING CARS

After receiving a 'hover conversion' in the future, Doc's DeLorean is shown folding up its wheels and flying in the second installment of the trilogy. 

Doc (played by Christopher Lloyd) even exclaims: 'Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads'.

Sadly, roads and traffic queues are still very much part of 2015 life, but that doesn't mean the prediction about flying cars was entirely incorrect. 

Massachusetts-based Terrafugia is leading the way in developing vehicles that double up as both planes and cars. It has even flown a prototype model in a series of tests. 

Its first model, developed back in 2011, is called Transition. It has space for two passengers and is expected to cost around £183,000 ($279),000 when it eventually goes on sale. 

Earlier this year the firm unveiled a successor concept called TF-X. 

Massachusetts-based Terrafugia is leading the way in developing vehicles that double up as both planes and cars. It has even flown a prototype model in a series of tests. Its first model is called Transition (pictured). It has space for two passengers and is expected to cost around £183,000 ($279),000 when it goes on sale

Earlier this year the firm unveiled a successor concept called TF-X (illustrated). TF-X has fold-out wings with twin electric motors attached to each end and these motors allow it to move from a vertical to a horizontal position, powered by a 300HP engine

TF-X has fold-out wings with twin electric motors attached to each end and these motors allow it to move from a vertical to a horizontal position, powered by a 300HP engine.

According to the company, thrust will be provided by a ducted fan, and the vehicle will have a cruising speed of 200 mph (322 km/h), along with a 500 mile (805 km) flight range.

The company said its aim is to provide 'true door-to-door transportation,' with the vehicle capable of being parked in a home garage like an ordinary car.

The planned four-person TF-X will be semi-autonomous and use computer-controls so that passengers can simply type in a destination before taking off. 

Terrafugia also provided a new animation showing how the T-FX would operate. To take-off, the video shows how electric-powered propellers tilt 90 degrees.

Owners for both cars will need a pilot and a driver's licence to operate the road-legal airplane, in addition to 20 hours of flying time under their belt.

However, neither car is likely to go on sale before 2018. 

Owners for both cars will need a pilot and a driver's licence to operate the road-legal airplane, in addition to 20 hours of flying time under their belt. However, neither car is likely to go on sale before 2018. Marty McFly is pictured in front of the flying DeLorean

SELF-TYING LACES

Along with the hoverboard and time-travelling DeLorean, self-tying shoelaces were an iconic invention in the Back To The Future franchise.

In Part II, Marty puts on a pair of Nike High Tops that automatically tighten and adjust to fit his feet - using so-called power laces. 

In November last year, inventors in St Hubert, Canada made this a reality(sort of) with the $175CAD (£99) Powerlace.

Their ‘Powerlace auto-lacing system’ lets wearers tie their laces without using their hands when their weight automatically engages the system’s mechanism.

A small lever at the lower rear end of the shoe activates the system so that the energy needed to tie the shoelaces comes from the weight of the wearer’s body. 

In Back to the Future Part II, Marty puts on a pair of Nike High Tops that automatically tighten and adjust to fit his feet - using so-called power laces (pictured)

In November last year, inventors in St Hubert, Canada made them a reality with the $175CAD (£99) Powerlace (pictured). Their ‘Powerlace auto-lacing system’ lets wearers tie their laces without using their hands when their weight automatically engages the system’s mechanism

While the Powerlace system may not look as dynamic as Marty's shows in the film, the inventors claim that their adjustable tension design system guarantees the best fit and comfort every time.

The shoes contain hidden components that allow the laces to tighten automatically, including the 'presser,' which is concealed in the shoe's sole in the heel area.

Nike also plans on selling power laces this year, according to designer Tinker Hatfield. 

An exact release date hasn't been announced and the company may even release them later today to tie in with the date in the film. 

Speaking at the Jordan Brand Flight Lab in New Orleans in February 2014, Mr Hatifield told Sole Collector: 'Are we gonna see power laces in 2015? To that, I say yes!'

While the Powerlace system (pictured) may not look as dynamic as Marty's in the film, the inventors claim that their adjustable tension design system guarantees the best fit and comfort every time.

Rumours about the technology have been circling since 2010 when Nike applied for a patent for 'automatically lacing trainers.'

It said: 'The automatic lacing system provides a set of straps that can be automatically opened and closed to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper.'

The company released a limited range of McFly's Nike MAGs with manual laces in 2011.

Only 1,500 models of the High Tops were made, and every pair was auctioned off on eBay.

A total of $6 million (£3.5million) was raised from the sales of these shoes, and all the proceeds went to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. 

Nike also plans on selling power laces this year, according to designer Tinker Hatfield. An exact release date hasn't been announced, and the company may even release them later today to tie in with the date in the film. The company released a limited range of McFly's Nike MAGs with manual laces in 2011 (pictured)

SMART HOMES AND DRONES

Helpful robotic devices pop up as small details throughout the film.

For example, there’s a pizza hydrator that rapidly ‘inflates’ a meal from a compact snack to a large size.

While this gadget is far from being a staple in our kitchens, something similar has been invented in the form of Turbo Chef, which is a rapid cook oven capable of cooking a pizza in just 90 seconds.

There is also a computer-controlled oven in McFly’s kitchen, and touchscreens are becoming increasingly common on electronic appliances.

Meanwhile, cutting-edge designs today are more advanced and connected to the internet. 

For example, LG’s Smart Manager fridge lets users order food from the supermarket, while a ‘Maid’ smart oven gives users spoke instructions and recipes.

When Jennifer is taken to her home in the film, she turns on the lights using a voice command - something that is possible today with the likes of the Vocca smart light adapter.

In the film, the McFly family uses a pizza hydrator (pictured) that rapidly ‘inflates’ a meal from a compact snack to a large size. While this gadget is far from being a staple in our kitchens, something similar has been invented in the form of Turbo Chef, which is a rapid cook oven, capable of cooking a pizza in just 90 seconds

Drones also make a brief appearance in the film with a ‘USA Today’ drone capturing Biff's arrest (shown). A number of news networks are beginning to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to get fresh perspectives in remote regions and high above crowded events, for example

Drones are also used to walk dogs in the film (pictured). While they are yet to be used for this in 2015, there's a $249 (£159) pet drone that users can lead around like a dog

Our phones, the Xbox and PlayStation as well as home automation systems by the likes of Honeywell all use voice recognition, too.

Back to the Future additionally features a mechanical fuel attendant at the Texaco garage.

The Fotokite Phi (pictured) uses a GoPro camera to operate and can be used for aerial selfies

Even though we are yet to have our cars filled up by autonomous nozzles, it is the norm to fill up a car and pay for petrol at the pump.

Roboticists in Japan have also developed a range of humanoid machines that can interact with people, fetch drinks and even serve customers in banks. 

Japan-based Softbank has been leading the way in this particular field with its Pepper robot.  

Drones also make appearances in the film with a ‘USA Today’ drone capturing Biff being arrested.

In reality, a number of news networks are beginning to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to get fresh perspectives in remote regions and high above crowded events, for example.

Drones are also used to walk dogs in the film. 

While they are yet to be used for this in 2015, there's a $249 (£159) pet drone that users can lead around like a dog.

The Fotokite Phi uses a GoPro camera to operate, and once attached, can be used for aerial selfies.

One of the latest attempts to bring internet connectivity to kitchen is Maid (Make All Incredible Dishes). This smart oven (pictured above) can provide recipes, speaks instructions aloud and also provides accurate timings each step of the way. It is similar to the appliances seen in the film 

Despite the lack of smartphones in Back to the Future, Marty McFly is shown sporting some chunky JVC-branded smart glasses (shown above). Google was one of the first companies to jump on this particular prediction with its Google Glass headset

SMART GLASSES AND WEARABLES

Despite the lack of smartphones in Back to the Future, Marty McFly does sport some chunky JVC-branded smart glasses.

Google was one of the first companies to jump on this particular prediction with its Google Glass headset. 

Despite having a much smaller screen that Marty's version, it similarly show videos and information in the wearer's line of sight like in the film. 

Marty’s daughter Marlene similarly wears a yellow wrap-around headset to make a phone call, which is also possible using Google's device.

Marty’s daughter Marlene wears a yellow wrap-around headset (left) to make a phone call in the film, which is also possible using Google's device (right)

Elsewhere in the film, Doc Brown uses a device that overlays information about people as they walk along. This is a controversial feature that’s possible using facial recognition technology, for example (pictured) 

Elsewhere in the film, Doc Brown uses a device that overlays information about people as they walk along. This is a controversial feature that’s possible using facial recognition, for example.

Several other large tech manufacturers are working on smart headsets. 

For example, Facebook’s Oculus Rift and Microsoft’s Hololens overlay imaginary scenes over real views using augmented reality.

Microsoft recently showed off how Minecraft can be played using its HoloLens headset, conjuring a holographic city built from tiny virtual bricks on a coffee table.

The game can be played on any surface and the headset allows people to play collaboratively in an entirely new way. 

Almost as soon as Marty ventures out into downtown Hill Valley in 2015 he is faced with a billboard for Jaws 19 from which a shark appears to leap from the surface (pictured). 3D films and TVs are common place today and now researchers to have cracked the problem of creating giant 3D displays without the need for glasses

Austrian researchers have developed a laser system that sends different images to each eye - and said it could lead to New York's Times Square having its first 3D ads (illustrated) 

3D BILLBOARDS 

Almost as soon as Marty ventures out into downtown Hill Valley in 2015 he is faced with a billboard for Jaws 19 from which a holographic shark appears to leap from the surface. 

3D films and TVs are common place today, but only last week researchers claimed to have cracked the problem of creating giant displays that can show images in 3D without the need for glasses.

Austrian researchers have developed a laser system that sends different images to each eye - and said it could lead to New York's Times Square having its first 3D ads.

The sophisticated laser system sends laser beams into different directions meaning different pictures are visible from different angles.

The angular resolution is so fine that the left eye is presented a different picture than the right one, creating a 3D effect.

By comparison, 3D movies in the cinema only show two different pictures - one for each eye.

Walking by the display, a viewer will see the displayed object from different sides, just like passing a real object.

Fingerprint scanners are common place, especially on phones from the likes of Samsung and Apple, but they were much more ingrained into the lives of people in Back to the Future's version of 2015. The McFly household features a fingerprint scanner instead of a door lock, and Biff uses his thumbprint to pay for a taxi

Apple's Touch ID fingerprint scanner is pictured

FINGERPRINT SCANNERS

Fingerprint scanners are common place nowadays, especially on phones from the likes of Samsung and Apple. 

But they were much more ingrained into the lives of people in Back to the Future's version of 2015. 

The McFly household in 2015 features a fingerprint scanner instead of a door lock, for example. 

Biff even uses his thumbprint to pay for a taxi - a nod towards contactless payments, too. 

VIDEO CALLS 

In the film, Marty of 2015 speaks to his colleagues on a video call. 

Just as Marty is sitting down to dinner a call comes in from his co-worker Douglas Needles in which they discuss an illegal scam. Their boss overhears the conversation and fires Marty.

This is an almost identical representation of how people chat using Skype and FaceTime today. 

Making calls on a TV is also now possible thanks to the rise of smart television sets.

In the film, Marty of 2015 speaks to his colleagues on a video call. Just as Marty is sitting down to dinner a call comes in from his co-worker Douglas Needles (pictured) in which they discuss an illegal scam. Their boss overhears the conversation and fires Marty

This is an almost identical representation of how people chat using Skype and FaceTime today (stock image). Making calls on a TV is also now possible thanks to the rise of smart television sets

AND WHAT DID THE FILM GET WRONG?

Despite the many predictions the film correctly made about life in the 21st century there were some notable omissions. 

Even though Marty and his family have the latest wearable technology, they don't have smartphones that are now ubiquitous.

In fact, Marty is seen making a call using a phone booth in one scene.

The film also didn't explicitly mention the internet, although it is assumed the wearable headsets would use such a system to display information. 

In the scene where Marty of 2015 is fired, he receives written confirmation on a fax machine - a now redundant office appliance. 

Elsewhere, we are still a way off from self-drying clothes, wearing our clothes backward and Biff's metal helmet. 

And thankfully we haven't seen the price rises on fizzy drinks as seen in the film in which a bottle of vitamin enriched Pepsi is shown costing $50 (£32).

But possibly the biggest failed prediction made in the film is that of time travel - and there is no sign of this becoming a reality any time soon. 

Researchers from Michigan recently scoured websites, search engine results and social networks dating back as far as 1996 in search of people who had discussed select events before they happened. 

Despite the many predictions the film correctly made about life in the 21st century there were some notable omissions. Even though Marty and his family had the latest wearable technology, they didn't have smartphones. In fact, Marty is seen making a call using a phone booth in one scene of the film (pictured)

In the scene where Marty of 2015 is fired, he also receives written confirmation on a fax machine (pictured)

Elsewhere, we are still a way off from self-drying clothes, wearing our clothes backward and Biff's (played by Thomas Wilson pictured) metal helmet, thankfully

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