In an unprecedented development, the LIMITLESS project team, comprising the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), the École Supérieure des Commerce et de l’Engineering de Vaud (HEIG-VD) and Swisspod Technologies, has conducted the longest test ever seen on a European scaled-down Hyperloop system . In a controlled low-pressure environment, the module reached a maximum speed of 40.7 km/h, which translates to an impressive 488.2 km/h at full scale.
European Hyperloop at EPFL facilities
The test was carried out at EPFL’s advanced facilities, the first in Europe to be operational for experiments using vacuum capsules. This circular infrastructure, 125.6 metres in circumference and 40 centimetres in diameter, has been designed to facilitate the rapid creation and validation of key technologies. According to Cyril Dénéréaz, Swisspod’s CTO, the innovative approach of this project allows for unlimited testing, maximising efficiency and reducing costs.
The LIMITLESS project stands out for its focus on a highly efficient linear induction motor (LIM), designed to combine levitation and propulsion in a single unit. This improves energy conversion and opens up new possibilities for cleaner and faster transport.
EPFL professor Mario Paolone underlines the importance of these innovations, stating that the development of this system could have applications beyond the Hyperloop , benefiting sectors such as the railway and aerospace industries.
During the Hyperloop Day held at EPFL , the results were presented as a significant step towards a more sustainable future. The autonomy of the module, which does not require external energy from the infrastructure, together with the efficiency of its motor, reinforces the viability of the Hyperloop to revolutionize intracontinental travel.
The next stage will involve testing and optimising this technology in larger facilities in the United States, where Swisspod plans to launch a prototype for transporting goods. Swisspod CEO Denis Tudor says the aim is to accelerate the implementation of this mode of transport, which promises to transform the way we connect and live.
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Source and photos: Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne
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