Swiss researchers recently made strides in hyperloop testing, setting a record for the longest test journey at a facility in Lausanne. Engineers from the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), the School of Business and Engineering Vaud (HEIG-VD), and Swisspod Technologies collaborated on the test, aiming to explore what could become a new high-speed travel method.
Record-breaking trials on a scaled-down track
The Swiss team conducted 82 trials on a 120-meter circular test track. It is part of their project known as LIMITLESS (Linear Induction Motor Drive for Traction and Levitation in Sustainable Hyperloop Systems). The longest recorded distance reached just over 7 miles (11.8 km) at a speed of about 25 miles per hour (40.7 km/h).
Scientists estimate that, at full scale, similar technology could theoretically reach about 303.3 miles per hour (488.2 km/h) over distances of roughly 88 miles (141.6 km). This is comparable to traveling between Geneva and Bern or London and Salisbury.
How hyperloop technology works
Hyperloop technology was first popularized in 2013 when entrepreneur Elon Musk released a white paper outlining his vision for a high-speed transit system capable of reaching speeds up to 760 mph.
The Swiss hyperloop setup relies on an electric pod moving through a low-pressure tube, where minimal air resistance allows for high speeds with low friction. The concept involves housing energy within the pod itself, cutting down on infrastructure costs.
Central to the trials is a linear induction motor (LIM) designed to propel the pod while keeping it levitating above the track.
Expansion to the US for further trials
Next year, Swisspod plans to expand testing at a facility in Pueblo, Colorado, where a larger, practically one-mile test track is expected to provide a full-scale environment for exploring the hyperloop’s potential.
The site, which the company describes as one of the largest hyperloop research hubs globally, aims to push the technology’s boundaries, particularly in freight transport.
Promise and limitations of hyperloop technology
Although Swisspod and EPFL are focusing on the technical and environmental benefits of hyperloop, general questions remain. Some experts have criticized the hyperloop’s feasibility for widespread public use. They point to challenges such as sustaining vacuum systems, achieving reliable propulsion, and ensuring safety.
According to Jörg Marienhagen, director of consulting and business development at DB Engineering and Consulting, many companies are tackling hyperloop issues independently, limiting collaboration and hindering the development of shared standards crucial for future regulation.
Next steps in hyperloop research
Future tests in Switzerland and Colorado will concentrate on refining propulsion and levitation to assess the hyperloop’s practicality for freight, with passenger transport as a potential longer-term goal.
While the hyperloop has drawn interest as a low-emission, high-speed alternative to conventional rail or air travel, industry experts caution that the path from testing to real-world application remains complex and uncertain.
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