Hyperloop: Through the tube at 900 km/h 🎥
FUTURE The Technical University of Munich has inaugurated Europe's first real-scale Hyperloop test track. It allows fast passenger rides in a vacuum in a 24-meter-long test tube.
Now that the passenger capsule has been fully certified, the research group at the Technical University of Munich is primarily investigating the propulsion system, levitation technology and vacuum behavior.
Says project manager Gabriele Semino: "The change from model scale to real dimensions and, in particular, Europe's first passenger test under vacuum conditions are an important milestone for scaling up the technology soon and implementing longer test segments. We can now study the system on a full-scale Hyperloop segment."
Five passengers have space
The demonstrator at the Ottobrunn Campus consists of three elements. The 24-meter-long test track in the form of a concrete tube has a diameter of around four meters and, in addition to a platform, also houses parts of the technology required for levitation and propulsion of the passenger capsule. The capsule has a full interior and can accommodate up to five passengers.
The third part of the system is the operations control center, which contains not only the control system for the system but also the powerful vacuum pumps. The aim of the project is to build a reference line by the end of the decade over several development stages, in which passengers can be transported at more than 900 km/h.
