The Technical University of Munich (TUM) has commenced test operations on its pioneering Hyperloop test track, marking a historic moment in transportation history. This 24-meter-long experimental tube, situated near Munich, on the TUM campus, represents Europe’s first full-scale Hyperloop test segment, opening after less than a year of construction. The official inauguration by Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder and Bavarian Minister of Science and the Arts Markus Blume signifies the region’s commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The TUM Hyperloop research group, born from a former student initiative in 2020, is driving this visionary project to create a faster, low-emission mode of travel. With a concrete vacuum tube and certified passenger pod now in place, empirical research on Hyperloop technology is set to take center stage. The first successful passenger test on July 10, 2023, inside the vacuum-sealed tube demonstrated the system’s full functionality, setting the stage for further advancements.
Supported by the Hightech Agenda Bavaria, this ambitious endeavor exemplifies Bavaria’s investment in research and technology. The TUM Hyperloop program, funded in part by the State of Bavaria, benefits from the involvement of numerous TUM professors, students, and external partners. Together, they’re propelling the Hyperloop dream forward, paving the way for a more sustainable and faster future of transportation.
As this extraordinary project gains momentum, the Hyperloop’s vision of near-vacuum transport pods moving at incredible speeds is becoming a tangible reality. The new demonstrator underscores that the Hyperloop technology has the potential to disrupt existing transportation methods and how we move from city to city. With the TUM Hyperloop research group leading the charge, Europe’s journey into sustainable travel and rapid passenger transport is gaining in pace.
