The Hyperloop gets some real maglev tech to fuel its rapid-transit dream
Hyperloop is gliding toward reality.
Jumpstartfund’s Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) announced Monday morning that it has secured a magnetic levitation system for its Hyperloop project.
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Specifically, it's a passive magnetic levitation system originally developed by the Lawrence Livermore National Labs in California as part of the Inductrack system. HTT chose this system due to it being, according to HTT, both cheaper and safer than an active magnetic levitation system.
“Utilizing a passive levitation system will eliminate the need for power stations along the Hyperloop track, which makes this system the most suitable for the application and will keep construction costs low,” said Bibop Gresta, COO of HTT.
The levitation system chosen by HTT is safer and less expensive than other alternatives because levitation is a byproduct of movement, rather than a separate, powered element. That means if there's a loss of power, the Hyperloop slowly glides to a stop and remain levitating until a very low speed.
While it is exciting HTT has chosen a levitation technology and announced another location for its Hyperloop, it's likely still at least a decade away from going into operation, if ever. So don't write off your airline miles just yet.
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