The future of transportation has arrived in Germany with the opening of the country’s first Hyperloop test track in Ottobrunn, near Munich. The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is leading the project, with the aim of bringing the high-speed transport system to market. Hyperloop is a futuristic mode of transportation where capsules travel at supersonic speeds through a vacuum-sealed tube. The technology has been gaining momentum in recent years, with the first European Hyperloop tube opening in 2019 and plans for a 10,000 km network across Europe.
The TUM Hyperloop project aims to develop and test components to bring the new transport system to market, as well as develop new safety standards and interior concepts. The 24-meter-long test track is large enough to accommodate a capsule with passengers on board, and the first successful test run took place on July 10, 2023, with two passengers on board. The Hyperloop’s vacuum-sealed tube eliminates air resistance and friction, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 1,100 km/h. The TUM has a strong track record in Hyperloop technology, having won multiple Hyperloop competitions hosted by SpaceX, Elon Musk’s space exploration company.
The opening of the Hyperloop test track in Germany is a significant milestone in the development of this revolutionary mode of transportation. The TUM Hyperloop project is poised to make significant strides in bringing the technology to market, with the potential to revolutionize the way we travel. As the project progresses, it will be interesting to see how the technology develops and how it will be integrated into existing transportation infrastructure. With the potential to drastically reduce travel times and increase efficiency, the Hyperloop could be the future of transportation.
