Hyperloop Day Unveils Breakthrough for High-Speed Transportation
In an electrifying display of innovation, Swisspod, in collaboration with École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), hosted an eye-opening event — Hyperloop Day — to mark a historic milestone in hyperloop technology.
This gathering showcased the world’s longest hyperloop trial, a crucial part of the LIMITLESS project aimed at redefining high-speed travel using a cutting-edge Linear Induction Motor (LIM). The event wasn’t just a showcase but a testament to what’s possible when academia and industry collaborate to push the boundaries of what’s feasible.
Transforming High-Speed Travel
Hosted on 17 September at the SwissTech Convention Center, the Hyperloop Day attracted a diverse crowd. The event saw participation from canton officials, diplomats, industry leaders, tech entrepreneurs, and investors, all eager to witness the latest advancements in transportation technology.
Swisspod’s co-founder and CEO, Denis Tudor, and EPFL’s President, Prof. Martin Vetterli, set the tone with their opening remarks. Prof. Vetterli took the audience down memory lane, highlighting Switzerland’s trailblazing role in hyperloop innovation, tracing back to the visionary efforts of Marcel Juffer and the ambitious Swissmetro project.
“One day, Mario Paolone called me and said: ‘Do you want to see the real thing? We now actually have a demonstration site on campus,’” Vetterli shared. “I had the chance to witness one of the initial runs and meet the team — incredibly motivated and brimming with talent. The technology is truly top-notch.”
Pioneering the Next Generation of Linear Induction Motors
At the heart of this ambitious venture is the LIMITLESS project, which centres around testing a novel Linear Induction Motor (LIM). This LIM system is crucial for achieving contactless, ultra-efficient propulsion — a cornerstone of hyperloop’s potential to transform travel.
The collaborative effort includes EPFL, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland (HEIG-VD), and Swisspod, blending theoretical research with practical applications. The LIMITLESS team demonstrated how LIM, combined with sustainable infrastructure, could pave the way for energy-efficient, high-speed transit systems.
The project didn’t stop at propulsion. Attendees were treated to an array of innovations crucial to the hyperloop ecosystem:
- Hyperloop Capsule and Infrastructure: A robust mechanical design ensuring minimal air resistance.
- High-Speed Telecom: Swisscom’s 5G technology is set to revolutionise communication systems within the hyperloop network, ensuring seamless data transmission.
- Self-Sustaining Navigation and Power: The autonomous capsule’s design enables it to operate independently in terms of energy and propulsion, a game-changer for long-distance travel.
Testing and Real-World Applications
The LIMITLESS team showcased an impressive demonstration, covering an 11.8 km journey using a scaled-down, but fully functional, hyperloop model. The trial, conducted both in open air and within a low-pressure environment set at 50 millibars, proved the feasibility of such a system.
To put it in perspective, while the trial’s speeds peaked at 40.7 km/h, the potential scale-up is mind-boggling. Extrapolating these results, a full-sized hyperloop system could cover the distance between Geneva and Bern — or even San Francisco to Sacramento — at a blistering 488.2 km/h.
The project demonstrated not only the power of the LIM system but also its ability to function with passive infrastructure. This means hyperloop systems can be both cost-effective and environmentally sustainable — a significant advantage in today’s push for greener transportation solutions.
What’s Next for Swisspod and EPFL?
With the success of Hyperloop Day, it’s clear that Swisspod and EPFL are only just getting started. The LIMITLESS project continues to explore how hyperloop technology can transform regional and even international travel. By leveraging linear induction motors and autonomous capsules, they’re on the brink of redefining what it means to travel efficiently and sustainably.
Looking ahead, the next steps involve refining the technology for higher speeds and longer distances. Swisspod is already planning future collaborations to test the scalability of their hyperloop system under various real-world conditions. The goal? To build a fully operational hyperloop network that could change the way we move goods and people across continents.
Hyperloop as the Future of Transit
Hyperloop Day was more than a display of technical prowess; it was a bold statement about the future of transportation. As industries continue to prioritise sustainability and efficiency, the hyperloop’s promise of rapid, contactless travel is too compelling to ignore.
Swisspod and EPFL’s LIMITLESS project shows that hyperloop isn’t just a futuristic dream — it’s becoming a reality, one breakthrough at a time. And with the momentum building, who knows? The day may come sooner than we think when zipping between cities in mere minutes is as routine as hopping on a train today.
