In Europe completed the first test on a vacuum track in history for the hyperloop technology. The team of researchers from EPFL, business and engineering schools (Heig-VD) and Swisspod Technologies, as part of the Limitless project (“Line for Traction and Levitation in Stable Hyperloop Systems”), achieved a record experiment by successfully simulating a 31.6 km hyperloop trip using an abbreviated route of 11.8 km. The maximum speed reached was 488.2 km/h, equivalent to 40.7 km/h on a reduced scale.
The purpose of the project is to create a stable, economical, and lightweight infrastructure for future transportation. The tests took place on a new test site at EPFL, equipped with a circular tube with a diameter of 40 cm and a length of 125.6 meters, enabling quick tests and prototype adjustments. A scaled-down hyperloop model (1:12) provides data that can be applied to the full-scale technology.
These tests validate the potential of hyperloop for rapid and environmentally friendly transportation within the continent. The system utilizes low pressure in the vacuum tube and a fully electric vehicle. The design, based on passive infrastructure, helps reduce costs and enhance efficiency by focusing efforts on developing a new linear induction engine for high-speed travel.
During the tests, 82 trials were conducted, modeling the path of the hyperloop capsule in low-pressure conditions (50 million). The length of the actual track was 11.8 km, with speeds reaching up to 40.7 km/h. The capsule operated autonomously, using onboard power for propulsion and levitation, allowing for the evaluation of energy consumption and control at various speed stages.
Future tests at EPFL will focus on testing even more efficient versions of the hyperloop engine. Researchers are also working on a large-scale project in the United States for transporting goods. This initiative is crucial to hasten the integration of hyperloop technology into the commercial sector and achieve safe and efficient use for passenger transportation.