India achieved a milestone in its pursuit of advanced transportation technologies by completing the country's first Hyperloop test track in Chennai.
The Hyperloop system operates within a vacuum-sealed, frictionless environment, significantly reducing friction and enabling unprecedented levels of energy efficiency and speed. This technology has the potential to transform travel experiences, allowing passengers to cover the 350-kilometer distance between Chennai and Bengaluru in just 30 minutes, as reported by Republic World.
The Hyperloop concept was originally popularized by Elon Musk in 2012 and has since gained traction worldwide, with many companies exploring its feasibility. IIT Madras's initiative demonstrates India's dedication to developing its transportation infrastructure and gaining a new global identity in this field, according to Jagran Josh (Science).
The 410-meter-long test track was developed through a collaborative effort between the Indian Railways, IIT Madras's Avishkar Hyperloop team, and TuTr Hyperloop, a startup incubated at IIT Madras. India's Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the completion of the test track and shared a video showcasing the progress, according to ndtv.com.
76 undergraduate and postgraduate students dedicated to developing and testing Hyperloop technology makes up The Avishkar Hyperloop team at IIT Madras. The team is working in partnership with TuTr Hyperloop, aiming to establish an indigenous Hyperloop system for high-speed, affordable, reliable, and sustainable transportation in India, according to The Economic Times.
The vacuum tube at the IIT Madras test track will serve as a test bed for further research on Hyperloop technology by Indian Railways. It will be used for testing levitating pods at speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour at the facility, according to Indiatimes. Plans are already underway for a longer 11.5-kilometer Hyperloop track, where the team aspires to test at speeds of about 600 kilometers per hour in the next phase of trials, as mentioned by The Economic Times.
Watch: Bharat’s first Hyperloop test track (410 meters) completed. Team Railways, IIT-Madras’ Avishkar Hyperloop team and TuTr (incubated startup)At IIT-M discovery campus, Thaiyur pic.twitter.com/jjMxkTdvAd
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) December 5, 2024
Avishkar Hyperloop has achieved international recognition, emerging as the only Asian team to feature in the top 10 global ranking at the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition in 2019. Additionally, it was among the top three teams globally at the European Hyperloop Week 2023, as reported by News18.
IIT Madras has proposed establishing a Centre of Excellence for Hyperloop Technologies through the existing Centre of Railway Research, which has already received funding support from the Railways Ministry. This initiative aims to advance and commercialize Hyperloop technologies for high-speed, sustainable transportation, as noted by The Economic Times.
The Hyperloop system is 100% electric and efficient, with projections to reduce carbon emissions by 150,000 tons per year. This aligns with India's efforts to become carbon neutral and address the rising demand for clean and effective transportation, according to The Economic Times.
The potential applications of Hyperloop technology extend beyond Chennai and Bengaluru. The Hyperloop venture promises to transform travel in India through increased speed and modern technology, including travel between cities like Mumbai and Pune, with promised travel times of less than 25 minutes, making it faster than a flight, as reported by Republic World.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq