Hardt Hyperloop achieves milestone with First Successful Test at European Hyperloop Center

Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Urban Transport News): On September 10, 2024, Rotterdam-based Hardt Hyperloop celebrated a significant breakthrough with the successful testing of its hyperloop vehicle at the European Hyperloop Center (EHC) in Veendam, Netherlands. This event was part of the European Hyperloop Center Grand Event, showcasing the advanced capabilities of hyperloop technology.

The European Hyperloop Center, an open testing facility, features a network of 34 interconnected hyperloop tubes, each with a diameter of 2.5 meters. This state-of-the-art facility includes a lane-switch component designed to simulate and test various hyperloop network configurations. The tubes were developed by POSCO and Tata Steel Netherlands, assembled by Mercon, and installed by Denys, all key partners in the Hyperloop Development Programme.

According to Hardt Hyperloop, this successful test marks a pivotal advancement for hyperloop technology both in Europe and globally. Roel van de Pas, Commercial Director and incoming CEO of Hardt Hyperloop, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “This milestone is a key step towards realizing the hyperloop vision in Europe and around the world. It is a great move in the right direction as we continue to test critical aspects of hyperloop technology, such as cornering, lane-switching, and vehicle branching.”

During the EHC test, Hardt’s hyperloop vehicle demonstrated its magnetic levitation, guidance, and propulsion systems. The vehicle successfully traversed 90 meters of the 420-meter EHC facility at speeds approaching 30 km/h, with an acceleration rate of 0.2G. Earlier this year, the facility had already proven its capability to maintain a target vacuum pressure of 1 millibar, a crucial requirement for the operational hyperloop system.

The event was attended by notable figures including Constantijn van Oranje, Rinke Zonneveld, and Henk Emmens, and featured contributions from the hyperloop ecosystem, including a demo vehicle from the Technical University of Munich and participation from over 40 partners.

Marinus van der Meijs, Technology and Engineering Director at Hardt Hyperloop, expressed enthusiasm about the progress: “The successful first demonstration of our traction technologies is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and partners. We are thrilled with this initial result and eagerly anticipate conducting full-speed tests—up to 100 km/h—later this year, including tests with lane-switching capabilities.”

Looking ahead, Hardt Hyperloop plans to reach its next milestone by conducting full-speed tests (80-100 km/h) through the lane-switch in a low-pressure environment. These tests, along with various technology verification and validation exercises, are expected to be completed within the year.

Global interest in hyperloop technology continues to rise, with development efforts underway in countries such as Germany, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey, India, and Saudi Arabia. The European Union has also incorporated hyperloop into its Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) policy, aimed at enhancing connectivity between member states.

The hyperloop technology offers several advantages, including lower infrastructure costs compared to high-speed rail, simpler spatial integration with modular pipes, reduced land usage, and energy consumption that is 10 times lower than that of cars or airplanes. These benefits present a promising solution to address the growing demands for efficient transportation.

Founded in 2016 by Tim Houter, Mars Geuze, Marinus van der Meijs, and Sascha Lamme, Hardt Hyperloop is dedicated to creating a global hyperloop network for rapid and sustainable transportation. The founders were part of the TU Delft team that won the first SpaceX Hyperloop competition in 2017.

Hardt Hyperloop has developed Hyperloop Lane (HLS) Switch technology, which allows vehicles to change lanes at high speeds without additional components. The company is building a network of industry partners and collaborating with the European Commission on hyperloop regulations. In July 2023, Hardt secured €12M in funding from key public and private investors, following earlier investments from Posco International (Korea) and Urban Impact Ventures (Netherlands), alongside support from existing EU- and US-based investors.