Smaller and faster – the WARR Hyperloop team wins again

The 2018 pod from the WARR Hyperloop team designed the winning pod with electromechanical components to provide the security when loading and driving the pod. Grid isolation relays are used to interrupt or close the corresponding circuits, while a variety of sensors guarantee the safety and monitor the performance of the pod. Small and light thick film chip resistors are used for security and reliability for the pod’s electronic battery control systems.

Panasonic Industry Europe congratulated the WARR Hyperloop team on its win in the third international annual SpaceX Hyperloop Pod competition on 22nd July 2018 in Los Angeles by giving it some stand space at this year’s electronica exhibition. The pod reached a final speed of 467km/h, improving the 2017 performance by almost 50%.

The power performance was increased from 50 to 240kW, or 320 horsepower and it accelerates five times faster than an airplane during take-off with a maximum speed of 600km/h.

WARR Hyperloop team member, Nicola Miskowiec, explained some of the design changes that clinched the win: “We added motors and used carbon fibre casing for a light, custom build structure, and used titanium instead of iron screws to reduce weight and size [of the pod],” he said. “By replacing one motor with eight, light motors, the pod was light, small and compact,” he added.

Hyperloop is a near-vacuum tube transportation concept for high-speed train travel. SpaceX founder, Elon Musk launched the Hyperloop Pod Competition to design, build and test prototypes for capsules that can travel at supersonic speed – faster than any commercial train or car in the foreseeable future.