Swisspod is known for its work in developing hyperloop technology, an ultra-high-speed ground transportation system in which pods move through a vacuum-sealed tube reaching near supersonic speeds. When it became apparent that they would need to expand their testing capabilities, the Switzerland-based company chose to work with MxV Rail to design the world’s first circular full-scale operation track at MxV Rail’s Pueblo testing facility.
“We selected MxV Rail for its remarkable track record of leadership and success in the testing, development, and deployment of emerging transportation technologies,” said Denis Tudor, CEO of Swisspod. “They stand out as one of the industry’s foremost companies in the field of transportation technology testing.”
Building a full-scale test track can present numerous challenges. While computer modeling and scaled testing is key to the development process, ensuring that the results remain accurate at full scale is critical. MxV Rail’s PuebloPlex campus provides a perfect combination of privacy, open space, and full access to the expertise of MxV Rail’s engineers and logistics team. Access to decades of experience and MxV Rail’s long-standing safety record has provided Swisspod with an added level of confidence in both data integrity and interpretation.
The new test site, dubbed the “Matterhorn” for the mythical mountain peak in Switzerland, will cover approximately 40 acres with a 1-mile (1.61 km) track featuring a subtly elliptical design. That’s about the size of 20 professional soccer fields.
MxV Rail has been able to guide Swisspod through numerous design challenges while installing the first section of track. This section will be used to conduct initial vehicle tests and will serve as a prototype for the remaining sections leveraging the insights and data acquired to ensure that the construction is safe and efficient. Vehicle charging, vehicle/track interaction, fasteners and more will be scrutinized to address any issues before beginning work on the remaining two phases of construction.
Once the remaining phases are complete, the mile-long test track will be sealed and connected to a vacuum pump system that removes most of the atmosphere from the tubes so that the final design can be tested at high speeds in a near-vacuum. The goal is to create a carbon-neutral system that uses the open space on the interior of the track to house green energy solutions balancing any draw from the power grid with clean, renewable energy. Hyperloop has clear advantages for transportation in terms of sustainability, energy-efficiency, safety, and speed.
MxV Rail is also working with Swisspod to validate its patented propulsion system, along with a full-scale capsule and the operational infrastructure needed for cargo transportation.
“We like to say the future of transportation is being developed here with Swisspod and MxV Rail at PuebloPlex,” said Kari Gonzales, CEO of MxV Rail. “Our partnership with Swisspod was the first of many opportunities to extend our legacy as leaders in transportation research. Our team’s experience in performance testing and our capability to reduce the product development cycle is unmatched in North America.”
MxV Rail is proud to play a role in developing a technology that will enhance the future of transport by bridging the distances between cities and strengthening the connections between communities. Swisspod’s goal is widespread deployment of carbon-neutral high-speed transportation technology by 2050.
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