A collaborative effort among scientists from Swisspod, EPFL and HEIG-VD has achieved a significant milestone in the development of hyperloop technology.
The LIMITLESS (Linear Induction Motor Drive for Traction and Levitation in Sustainable Hyperloop Systems) project aims to create a sustainable and efficient transportation system leveraging light infrastructure. The consortium, comprised of EPFL, the School of Business and Engineering Vaud (HEIG-VD) and Swisspod Technologies, successfully replicated a full-scale equivalent journey of 141.6 kilometers over a distance of 11.8 kilometers at top speeds of 488.2 kilometers per hour within a controlled low-pressure environment. This achievement showcases key principles of hyperloop technology and its potential for transforming fast travel.
The experiments were conducted at EPFL’s cutting-edge testing facility, designed as a circular loop track specifically for rapid prototyping and testing of hyperloop technologies. The facility, with a diameter of 40 centimeters and a circumference of 125.6 meters, serves as a scaled-down version of the proposed hyperloop system, enabling researchers to correlate test results directly with full-scale performance.
At the heart of the project is a fully electric vehicle operating within a low-pressure tube infrastructure. The success of the LIMITLESS project holds profound implications for the high-speed transportation sector, demonstrating that hyperloop systems can disrupt intra-continental travel while remaining sustainable. The Swiss approach to this technology emphasizes a passive infrastructure model, which enhances efficiency and reduces implementation costs.
The project’s focus on developing a novel Linear Induction Motor (LIM) as a propulsion system is a crucial element of the hyperloop’s performance. “The LIMITLESS project provides insights into high-speed electromagnetic propulsion, allowing us to integrate levitation and propulsion functionalities into a single, efficient motor,” explained Mario Paolone, a professor at EPFL’s Distributed Electrical Systems Laboratory.
Over the course of 82 tests, the team successfully monitored the performance of vital subsystems, assessing energy consumption, thrust variations, and control during various operational scenarios. The results not only confirm the viability of hyperloop technology but also pave the way for further innovations applicable across multiple sectors, including automotive, rail, and aerospace.
Denis Tudor, CEO of Swisspod, expressed optimism about the future: “This milestone brings us closer to a future where hyperloop becomes a catalyst for societal change. Testing our technological innovations is crucial for advancing the development and deployment of efficient hyperloop technologies worldwide. We will soon begin testing our first hyperloop freight transportation product at the larger-scale facility being built in the U.S., taking another key step toward making hyperloop for passengers a reality.”
