The first-ever levitating pod by Swissloop is living up to its namesake, Olympic ski jumper Simon Ammann, in both power and performance. What makes the 2021 prototype different: Thanks to its innovative linear induction motor, it lifts off of conventional aluminum tracks by its own force. Reducing friction with said tracks makes for a very smooth ride and is the basis for acceleration without material barriers. With Simon Ammann, Swissloop has accomplished a big leap forward in shaping the transportation of the future. How big that leap really is, was proven during the European Hyperloop Week 2021 in Valencia, Spain. There, we brought home awards in complete pod design, levitation, propulsion, and best electrical system! Further, our pod has been awarded with the Würth Elektronik thermal management award, and the Nevomo power electronics award.
The levitation is possible thanks to a motor with 36 coils, which is placed on top of the rail, dissimilar to previous designs. In fact, the entire architecture of the 2.25m long and 0.7m wide pod has been optimized for levitation. Weighing less than 150kg including the shell and with 1741 individual parts, every subsystem is distinguished for being lightweight, compact, and efficient. While the top speed of the prototype is currently estimated at 144km/h, the scalability of the system could allow for far higher speeds. However, Simon Ammann has already surpassed the original aim of the season, to reach 50km/h while levitating, and is once again a testament to the strength of Swissloop’s propulsion technology.
