Categories: news

India Accelerates Hyperloop Research: Indian Railways’ RDSO Partners With IIT Madras for Futuristic Transport

India has taken a significant step in advancing Hyperloop technology, an emerging mode of transportation that is still in its nascent stage globally.

With technical and safety standards yet to be defined worldwide, Hyperloop is envisioned to be faster, more energy-efficient, and sustainable compared to conventional transport systems.

In a move to drive research and development, the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), a unit under the Ministry of Railways, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Madras.

Under this agreement, Rs 20.89 crore has been allocated to establish a Centre of Excellence for Hyperloop technology at IIT Madras.

The initiative aims to develop a sub-scale model of a Hyperloop pod, along with a test track and a vacuum tube facility.

These components will help validate the futuristic transportation technology on a full scale.

This information was shared by Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha today.

Hyperloop Research at IIT Madras

IIT Madras has been at the forefront of hyperloop research for the past seven years, significantly contributing to the field.

The institute boasts the longest operational student-run hyperloop test tube and track, spanning 422 meters at Discovery Campus.

TuTr Hyperloop, a deep-tech incubated startup at IIT Madras, is set to launch the world’s first commercial hyperloop technology-based project in India next month.

This historic milestone marks a significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047.

Hyperloop is the 5th mode of transportation, a high-speed train that travels in a near-vacuum tube. The reduced air resistance allows the capsule inside the tube to reach more than 1000 km/h speed.

Elon Musk, who heads SpaceX and Tesla, proposed the idea of Hyperloop to the world in 2013 through a whitepaper – ‘Hyperloop Alpha.’

Earlier this month, Union Minister Vaishnaw visited Hyperloop testing facility at IIT Madras Discovery Campus and witnessed a live demonstration. 

Vaishnaw stated that the 410-meter-long Hyperloop test tube located at IIT Chennai is the longest Hyperloop test facility in Asia.

Speaking to the journalists, the Minister said that the entire testing system for Hyperloop transportation has been developed using indigenous technologies, and he congratulated all the young innovators for this achievement.

The Minister expressed confidence that India will soon be ready for Hyperloop transportation, as the Hyperloop transportation technology, which is currently under development, has yielded good results in the tests conducted so far.

The Railway Ministry has been providing financial funding and technical assistance to the Hyperloop project, and now, all the electronics technology for this Hyperloop project will be developed at ICF Chennai.

The minister stated that highly skilled experts at the ICF factory have successfully developed large electronics systems for Vande Bharat high-speed trains, and the electronics technology for this Hyperloop project will also be developed at ICF.

The minister congratulated the young innovators team of IIT Chennai and the Avishkar organization for this successful testing.

Also Read: Indian Railways’ Modernization Push: Oriental Rail Infrastructure to Supply Vande Bharat Seats

Recent Posts

Indian Railways’ Modernization Push: Oriental Rail Infrastructure to Supply Vande Bharat Seats

Oriental Rail Infrastructure has received its first major contract to supply seats for the Vande…

3 months ago

Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project: Gujarat’s Anand Station Nears Completion With Major Structural Work Finished

The construction of the Anand Bullet Train Station in Gujarat, a key stop on the…

3 months ago

New Glenn: ‘Not Feeling It Today’, Starship Flight 7: ‘How About We Try the 15th?’

The space industry witnessed a series of delays this week as both the launches of…

4 months ago

Trump 2.0 Inauguration: Here’s The Exclusive Line-Up of Global Leaders Attending the Historic Event

Trump Inauguration: In what can only be described as a seismic shift from over a…

4 months ago

FDA Finds Disturbing Violations at McDonald’s Supplier Linked to Deadly E. Coli Outbreak

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported numerous violations at a Taylor Farms facility…

4 months ago

California Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles, Leaving 10 Dead and Thousands Displaced

California's wildfire season has reached a catastrophic peak as five massive fires rage across Los…

4 months ago