EuroTube starts assembly of its hyperloop test facility
Location of the assembly of the DemoTube test facility in Dübendorf, Switzerland.
EuroTube, a research institute that is based in Zurich, Switzerland, has started setting up its hyperloop test facility. The new research infrastructure, named DemoTube, is expected to be fully completed by the end of next year. It is part of the Hyperloop Development Program’s EU Research Infrastructure.
New technologies
The DemoTube entails a tube spanning 120 meters. A vacuum chamber and airlock will be built first. With the new facility, EuroTube aims to set a benchmark in future vacuum transport mobility with the first test facility of its length that is made of innovative composite material. The tubes are made from post-tensioned fibre-reinforced concrete segments and coated in a sealant to ensure vacuum properties.
Doré de Morsier, founder and chairman of the EuroTube Foundation says:
“We are very proud to have reached this milestone and to provide a first insight into how a new means of transport for a sustainable future is being created with the assembly of the facility. The new technology will be successful if we empower and encourage the next generation of researchers to experiment and break new ground, together with companies. With DemoTube, however, we also want to use this research at the Dübendorf site to get the public excited about sustainable technologies in the transport sector. I am very grateful for the hard work of our team and the generous support of our partners, without whom it would not have been possible to reach this point.”
Doré de Morsier, founder and chairman of EuroTube Foundation, and Sascha Lamme, Program Director of the Hyperloop Development Program.
Testbed for hyperloop prototypes
The DemoTube is being built at the Innovation Park Zurich, located in Dübendorf, Switzerland, and will accommodate different standing vehicle designs. The vehicles will eventually make use of electrical linear drives that are installed in the tracks and propel the vehicle to cruising speed. As planned for the European Hyperloop Week in July 2024, student engineering teams from across the world will present their hyperloop prototypes near the location of the DemoTube. The event will coincide with the first vacuum tests in the chamber of the new test facility.
EU Research Infrastructure
DemoTube is part of the Hyperloop Development Program’s EU Research Infrastructure. On May 15th, Sascha Lamme, Program Director of the Hyperloop Development Program, attended the official start of assembling the test facility. Sascha Lamme commented:
“The launch of the DemoTube by EuroTube is very significant for extending our hyperloop research infrastructure across Europe and will greatly contribute to building the expertise that we need to bring the hyperloop to realization.”
Impression of future use of the test facility, when fully completed, with a test vehicle.
About EuroTube
The EuroTube Foundation is a Swiss non-profit research organization for the development of vacuum transport technology, also known as hyperloop. The organization is recognized in Switzerland as a research institute of national importance and is a partner of the Hyperloop Development Program.
For further information, please contact:
Steffen Hartmann, steffen.hartmann@eurotube.org