Hardt Hyperloop has successfully tested its hyperloop vehicle at the European Hyperloop Center (EHC) in Veendam, Netherlands.
The company said the successful test is a step forward for bringing hyperloop technology to Europe.
The test was conducted with other hyperloop ecosystem partners like Technical University of Munich and more than 40 partners in the development and implementation of the hyperloop, Hardt said.
“The successful first demonstration of our traction technologies is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and partners”, said Marinus van der Meijs, Technology and engineering director at Hardt Hyperloop. “We are excited with this first result and can’t wait to perform our upcoming full-speed tests, close to 100 km/hr, in the EHC with a lane-switch later this year.”
The test
During the test, Hardt tested the vehicles hyperloop traction technologies including:
- Magnetic levitation
- Guidance
- Propulsion systems
The company said as the core of the hyperloop system these are the most important tests that need to be done before other aspects of the hyperloop are tested. Hardt has already tested the vacuum conditions inside the hyperloop tunnel reaching a target pressure of 1 millibar — the envisioned pressure for an operational hyperloop.
During the test the vehicle moved through the first 90 meters of the 420-meter-long EHC facility at a speed of nearly 30 km/h with an acceleration of 0.2G.
Hyperloop center
The EHC is an open test facility that consists of 34 connected hyperloop tubes and a tube diameter of 2.5 meters.
The test track at the EHC was opened earlier this year to represent real-world conditions and the inclusion of the full lane switch helps with testing of hyperloop networks. Hardt said the center will be used for pod development, making it the center of European hyperloop experimentation and testing.
The hyperloop pipes inside the test track at EHC are made from steel developed and produced by Posco in collaboration with Tata Steel Netherlands. They assembled the tubes into fully prefabricated hyperloop tubes by contractor Mercon.
What is the hyperloop?
Hyperloop technology uses magnetic levitation to lift a pod off the track and guide it as it moves, creating a friction-free track. Almost all the air in the tube surrounding the pod is removed to create the same environment found at 200,000 ft above sea level. The combination of the linear motor, magnetic levitation and low-pressure tube reduces drag so that only a small amount of electricity is needed to propel the pod at speeds as high as 670 mph. This could possibly create a more cost-effective system than high-speed rail or airline transportation.
(Learn more about magnets on Globalspec.com.)
The technology is not only ultra-fast but is also reportedly energy-efficient and completely CO2 neutral. This combination is one of the reasons the hyperloop has gained attention in the transportation market as countries look for new ways to meet carbon footprint requirements while providing new ways of traveling for consumers.
However, hyperloop technology is not without its detractors, with some suggesting that the technology is not viable and a waste of resources and funding. This especially became apparent when Virgin Hyperloop said it would no longer support hyperloop for passenger transport and would focus only on cargo pods.
