This summer, the European Hyperloop Centre in the Netherlands hosted European Hyperloop Week, a global conference and competition for international teams of students to shape the future of ultra-fast, sustainable travel. ACE Controls is proud to support Team Vegapod Hyperloop, a student-led team from MIT World Peace University in Pune, India, as they ranked in the top 10 teams internationally with their latest prototype at this prestigious event. With each year’s competition pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, their work exemplifies the steadfast determination driving hyperloop technology forward.
What is a Hyperloop?
A hyperloop is a theoretical mode of ultra-high-speed transportation that uses passenger or cargo pods traveling through low-pressure tubes. By combining magnetic levitation with a near-vacuum environment, a hyperloop drastically reduces air resistance and friction. As a result, it can combine the speed of air travel with the consistency and affordability of rail lines. But such a feat requires many innovative new ideas and creative applications of old ones to become a reality. That’s why European Hyperloop Week and its student competition are such a crucial part in the development of a practical hyperloop.
Who is Team Vegapod Hyperloop?
Team Vegapod Hyperloop is a student-driven initiative dedicated to advancing hyperloop technology through hands-on engineering, rigorous testing, and global collaboration. Based at MIT World Peace University in Pune, India, the team designs and builds subscale prototypes that integrate innovative systems such as magnetic levitation, contactless propulsion, and advanced thermal management. Their mission isn’t just to win in the competition: they aim to inspire broader acceptance of hyperloop as a safe, sustainable mode of transport and to represent Bharat on the world stage. Each season, they refine their designs to meet new technical challenges, pushing the limits of speed, efficiency, and safety in this emerging field.
ACE Controls’ Support
Creating a prototype hyperloop system isn’t easy, nor is it inexpensive. Every component must perform flawlessly under demanding, real-world conditions to such a degree that the designs could be used to transport real passengers at hundreds of miles per hour. For Team Vegapod Hyperloop, ACE Controls supplied precision-engineered MC4575-1 Industrial Shock Absorbers and SCS45 Safety Shock Absorbers to serve as the final safeguard on their 10-meter test track. Installed at the track’s end-stop, these units were designed to absorb the pod’s kinetic energy in the event of a braking failure, bringing it to a controlled stop and preventing damage to both the vehicle and the track. This robust safety feature gave the team the confidence to push their prototype’s performance while knowing a reliable, last-resort braking solution was in place.
With their safety systems in place, Team Vegapod Hyperloop continues to refine and test their latest prototype in preparation for more rigorous demonstrations ahead. Each design cycle brings new opportunities to integrate advanced technologies, optimize performance, and validate systems under real-world conditions. ACE Controls is proud to be part of that journey, and help play a role in the future of transportation.