Hardt Hyperloop claims to have broken the record for a hyperloop rail test, reaching a speed of 85 km/hr. The test pod also performed a lane switch maneuver, which the company claims is critical to enabling hyperloop infrastructure.
While questions remain about the viability of the hyperloop, some companies are continuing to develop the so-called fifth mode of transportation. Hardt said this successful test marks a significant development for hyperloop technology in Europe and the world.
The test
Hardt tested its pod at the European Hyperloop Center (EHC), which completed its 420 meter test track in Veendam, Netherlands in April of 2024.
The vehicle accelerated at 0.3G reaching 85 km/h in the first 140 m. It then coasted through 155 m land switch and came to a stop in the final 100 m.
Hardt said the test vehicle exceeded its design speed of 80 km/h.
The company said it was able to make the test due to changes to its test vehicle such as:
- Reducing hyperloop bogie weight by 45%
- Increasing thrust by 50%
- Integrating magnetic guidance and propulsion systems
“This milestone proves the capability and growing maturity of our hyperloop traction technologies,” said Roel van de Pas, managing director at Hardt Hyperloop. “Demonstrating lane-switching at these speeds — in this environment — is a major leap from theoretical designs to real-world systems, and a great accelerator for scalable hyperloop implementation worldwide.”
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.
The next steps
Hardt Hyperloop said it plans to continue its testing with the next steps being:
- A 3 km to 5 km demo route
- A 30 km to 50 km first operational route
