Swisspod and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), one of Europe’s most prestigious research universities, are extending their longstanding collaboration with the development of an operational testing facility for ultra-fast transportation solutions. This initiative will set transportation innovation in motion by conducting a series of experiments to validate fundamental assumptions underpinning the operation of high-speed transportation systems. This facility is the first of its kind in Europe, a catalyst for the global Hyperloop effort and a crucial leap forward for the evolution and adoption of sustainable intra-continental mobility solutions.
The infrastructure is constructed in a circular shape to simulate an infinite Hyperloop track and accommodate a diverse set of experimental conditions, such as different levels of pressure, speed and trajectory lengths. Swisspod worked constructively on the optimal design of the facility that is owned and operated by the Distributed Electrical Systems Laboratory (DESL), EPFL. Swisspod will benefit from knowledge transfer and synergies from EPFL as part of the joint effort. For the first research activity funded by the Swiss Innovation Agency, Swisspod and EPFL will join forces with HEIG-VD.
Citing Denis Tudor, CEO and Co-founder of Swisspod:
“This collaboration represents a great opportunity for Swisspod to join forces with world-class EPFL colleagues. We bring into this project sharp business acumen and high-quality engineering to develop an efficient solution that will be brought into the market in four to five years”.
The first research activity at this facility will be undertaken in the framework of Project LIMITLESS, which stands for “Linear Induction Motor Drive for Traction and Levitation in Sustainable Hyperloop Systems'' and aims at developing and validating a novel Linear Induction Motor (LIM). This LIM is a key part of the Hyperloop propulsion system, which is Swisspod’s unique selling point. For the purpose of this project, Swisspod and EPFL join forces with HEIG-VD, the School of Engineering and Management in Vaud Canton. LIMITLESS is funded by the Swiss Confederation through an innovative grants program administered by Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency promoting science-based innovation and knowledge transfer for Swiss industry and society.
Project LIMITLESS holds great potential to achieve important breakthroughs that will lift Hyperloop progress to new heights and make a meaningful impact on the face of the climate emergency. As Georgios Sarantakos, Project Manager at DESL-EPFL, explains:
“Swisspod and EPFL have the common objective of using technological innovation as a vehicle for positive change to propose a feasible mobility solution that adds value to the local community and generates benefits for society at large”.