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Technology Demonstrator

  • Technology Demonstrator

Building a demonstrator

TransPod is developing a new tube transportation technology and is positioning itself beyond the "hyperloop" concept as introduced by SpaceX, as well as competing designs currently under development. In fact, TransPod's patented innovations greatly improve the efficiency of the system while considerably reducing the cost of building a line.

As infrastructure costs account for 90% of the overall budget for the construction of a line, it is vital to keep them as low as possible to ensure the profitability of future projects.

Therefore, TransPod's intellectual property enables ultra-high-speed propulsion without installing expensive electromagnets on the track, stability control during levitation phases, and contactless power transmission ensuring continuous power supply without the need for heavy on-board batteries.

Ultra-high-speed contactless power transmission (Quantum PowerTM)

This system uses plasma to transfer power from two power rails located on the infrastructure to the vehicle. This power transmission is an innovation allowing to transfer power at very high speeds and goes beyond traditional pantograph, MAGLEV, and 3rd rail shoe systems. The low pressure inside the tube enables high-efficiency power transmission.

This system is patented internationally: WO/2018/045471.

Levitation, thrust and braking (Jet GlideTM)

TransPod uses active levitation achieved through magnetic motors located on the vehicle. These linear magnetic motors generate thrust, braking, and maintain the vehicle centred along the guideway. The pod is equipped with a self-canting mechanism allowing it to easily rotate in tight curves along the guideway without jolting passengers or cargo to the side.

This system is patented internationally: WO/2018/045470.

After having tested the sub-systems through computer-aided simulations and laboratory prototypes, the TransPod teams are now ready to begin a series of physical tests on the entire integrated system.

The 1:4 scale demonstrator is directly aligned with TransPod's industrial development program:

Preloader

  • Achieved

    Computer simulations
    Toronto
    => TRL 2

  • Achieved

    Individual tests in the laboratory and in a small-scale vacuum chamber
    Toronto
    => TRL 3

  • Achieved

    Integration of subsystems and 1:4 scale tests
    Toronto
    => TRL 4

  • 3rd semester 2022

    Full system test, half-scale, at high speed and in real conditions
    Droux, France
    => TRL 5/6

  • 2023 – 2025

    Full system tests at scale, maximum speed, and in real conditions
    Canada and France
    => TRL 7/8/9

Objectives

This project has a two-fold objective: the experimentation of the entire integrated system, and the demonstration of the advantages of a TransPod line for ultra-high-speed travel.

Scientific and technical objectives

  • Validate patented concepts through medium-scale experimentation.
  • Support experimentation, research and development with a modular test bench.
  • Determine precisely the specifications of the 1:2 scale test site (Droux, France).

Marketing and business development objectives

  • Demonstrate and validate the strengths and profitability of the business model.
  • Support fundraising efforts through tangible demonstrations.
  • Explain how tube transportation technology works.

Benefits

Be a partner in the realization of the demonstrator

We have designed this project to benefit not only TransPod, but also its partners, through broad media exposure, collaboration opportunities, and participation in reducing the risk for future partnerships and investments.

Promotional benefits

  • Being mentioned in the communications related to this demonstrator both in Canada and France (press release, publications, logo visible as part of the demonstration).

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  • Visibility of the brand and the company during the visits of the facility by schools, universities, technical and commercial partners, politicians, press.

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  • Media exposure during the presentation of the demonstrator at the various trade shows planned for 2020 - 2021: OCE Discovery (Toronto), Collision (Toronto), Innotrans (Berlin), World Expo (Dubai), Movin'On (Montreal), Salon du Bourget (Paris).

Strategic Benefits

  • Reducing the risk of a potential future investment or partnership by participating in the construction of the small-scale fully integrated proof of concept.

Technical benefits

  • Possibility of technical collaboration for the design and realization of the demonstrator.
  • Possibility of assembling a model or replica in the partner's offices or showroom.

TransPod wishes to join forces with partners for the financing of the project. The choice of the scale and length of the tube makes it possible to build this demonstrator with a reasonable budget, while providing proof of concept of the global and integrated intellectual property.