India's Hyperloop tube to soon become world's longest at 410 metres
The Hyperloop tube, being developed with the help of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, is soon set to be the world's longest tube, measuring 410 metres in length.
The 410-metre-long Hyperloop test tube located at IIT Chennai is already the longest Hyperloop test facility in Asia. Hyperloop is a high-speed train that runs in a vacuum in a tube.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the testing facility on Saturday, march 15 and witnessed a live demonstration. "Longest Hyperloop tube in Asia (410 metres)... soon to be the world's longest," he said.
Speaking to journalists, the minister said the entire testing system for Hyperloop transportation has been developed using indigenous technologies, and congratulated all the young innovators for the achievement.
The minister expressed confidence that India will soon be ready for Hyperloop transportation, as the technology, which is currently under development, has yielded good results in the tests conducted so far.
The Railway Ministry has been provided financial funding and technical assistance for the Hyperloop project, and now, all the electronics technology will be developed at ICF Chennai.
The minister stated that highly skilled experts at the ICF factory have successfully developed electronic systems for Vande Bharat high-speed trains, and the technology for this Hyperloop project will also be developed at ICF.
The minister congratulated the young innovators team of IIT Chennai and the Avishkar organisation for this successful testing.
Later, he visited the IIT Chennai campus in Guindy, where he inspected the exhibition organised by the IIT's Center for Innovation titled Open House 2025. He interacted with students and young innovators. During the interaction, he stated that India will become a leading country in all sectors under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The minister noted that the youth are performing efficiently in fields of data science, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors, and that India has the highest number of skilled youth in the world, who will play a significant role in making India a developed nation.
He also announced that presently there are five semiconductor facilities operational in the country and the first India-made semiconductor will be rolled out by the end of this year.
The official presented prizes and shields to the winners of the innovation competition held during the exhibition and encouraged them to create more inventions. Dr Kamakoti, Director of IIT Chennai, was also present at the event.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
21 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
From moonshots to diplomacy: India makes its presence felt
As Chandrayaan-3 gently descended onto the uncharted lunar south pole on August 23, 2023, mission control at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) erupted in celebration. But far from the jubilant engineers and the blinking consoles in Bengaluru, the ripples were felt in foreign ministries across the globe — from Washington to Paris, and beyond. India had just become the first country to land a spacecraft near the moon's south pole, joining an elite club of spacefaring nations. The triumph was scientific, but the implications were profoundly strategic. It signalled, unmistakably, that India's space programme is no longer just about rockets and research; it is now a central pillar of its foreign policy. This is space diplomacy, Indian style: pragmatic, purposeful, and increasingly pivotal to New Delhi's global engagement. For long has India's space programme operated in relative isolation, nurtured by strategic autonomy and limited budgets. But in today's multipolar, tech-driven world, space is no longer the final frontier. It is a geopolitical arena. And India is stepping in with intent. India's evolution from a regional space actor to a global scientific and strategic partner is neither accidental nor cosmetic. It reflects a deliberate recalibration of its foreign policy priorities in the 21st century - one where soft power, science, and strategic technology converge. Take, for instance, the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with the United States. During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2023 state visit to Washington, space was a dominant theme. The two countries signed agreements enabling ISRO and NASA to collaborate on joint missions, including the launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite in 2024, designed to monitor climate change through high-resolution imagery. This mission, the world's most expensive Earth observation satellite to date at nearly $1.5 billion and weighing close to 3,000 kilos, epitomizes how space cooperation is shaping broader conversations around climate, security, and sustainability. With France, too, India has built one of its most enduring space alliances. For over six decades, the Indo-French space collaboration has ranged from satellite launches to scientific exchange. Today, it extends to joint ventures in Earth observation, maritime surveillance, and even space situational awareness, a reflection of the countries' shared interests in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. The India-Bhutan satellite, jointly developed to enhance remote sensing capabilities in the Himalayan kingdom, is again not just a goodwill gesture but a strategic investment in regional stability, resilience, and trust. What makes India's space diplomacy uniquely effective is its blend of accessibility, credibility, and ambition. Add to it India's affordable launch services and it makes it a win-win for all. The numbers underscore this: Since 1999 until July 2023, ISRO had launched 431 foreign satellites for 34 countries. India's burgeoning private space ecosystem adds another dimension to its diplomatic toolkit. With the liberalisation of the space sector in 2020 and the establishment of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to facilitate private participation, several startups are redefining the possibilities of Indian space innovation. As of December 2024, around 330 industries, startups, and MSMEs are associated with IN-SPACe for activities ranging from authorization and data dissemination to technology transfer and access to ISRO facilities. Their agility and cost-efficiency make India an attractive partner not just for state actors but also for global commercial ventures. India's space diplomacy is not merely about prestige. It is about building coalitions of capability, creating a framework for shared technological futures, and asserting strategic autonomy in an interdependent world. By turning space into a conduit for cooperation rather than competition, India is not just launching satellites; it is launching a new era of international engagement.
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
Juyeon Lee, Head of Xsolla APAC: "Xsolla Buy Button Designed to Reduce Friction and Drive More Revenue Online"
Surge in New Partnerships Across Japan and India Reflects Growing Interest in Alternative Payments SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - Media OutReach Newswire - 13 June 2025 - Game developers increasingly seek ways to reduce app store fees. Xsolla's Buy Button for Mobile Games is gaining traction for users in the United States as an effective tool in that pursuit. According to Jooyeon Lee, Head of Asia-Pacific (APAC) at Xsolla, the Buy Button allows mobile game developers to integrate their web shops and custom payment pages directly, bypassing traditional app market fees and improving profitability for US-based players. "Mobile game companies are highly interested in reducing app store fees and engaging directly with their users. With Xsolla Buy Button, developers can link their web shops and payment pages, giving them more flexibility and helping them retain more revenue. In a recent interview, this feature is particularly beneficial for companies aiming to expand globally," said Lee. Lee, a seasoned business leader with previous experience at game publishers such as Nexon, Netmarble, and Singapore-based Garena, rejoined Xsolla earlier this year as Head of APAC, overseeing operations, marketing, and organizational strategy across the region. Xsolla's APAC division covers South Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, India, Australia, and New Zealand. "The APAC game market is currently in a phase of maintaining scale rather than aggressive growth, and we've seen increased demand from developers focused on improving profitability," she noted. "As concerns about platform monopolies resurface, more developers are exploring third-party payment options—this is exactly why the Buy Button is attracting attention." The Buy Button is designed with easy integration without much coding, allowing developers to choose where and how to link payment pages. 'Whether it's a custom-built web shop or a third-party payment page, our partners have the freedom to decide,' said Lee. 'Games with a large portion of their revenue coming from outside the U.S. can especially benefit from this feature, turning reduced fees into meaningful profit gains.' Built on Xsolla Web Shop for mobile games and Xsolla Pay Station, the Buy Button connects to a browser-based checkout experience and offers key benefits such as: Keep up to 30% from platform fees Legally compliant external payment link integration Seamless one-tap payments Minimized tax and regulatory burdens Loyalty and rewards programs Parental controls and gift card options Multi-channel commerce support As the official merchant of record, Xsolla also manages global tax compliance and fraud prevention. The company supports over 1,000 localized payment methods worldwide, up from 700, and has recently expanded into Southeast Asia, Japan, India, the Middle East, and Africa. 'Buy Button emphasizes flexibility and convenience. If developers are hesitant to adopt third-party payments directly, they can also use the feature to promote their web shops,' Lee explained. 'It's a low-barrier way to localize payments for developers targeting global markets.' She added that adoption is rising even in traditionally conservative markets like Japan. 'Japanese developers have been cautious about changing payment methods, but those who partnered with us have expressed high satisfaction,' said Lee. "We expect strong growth from our Japanese partners this year. Word of mouth about Xsolla is spreading in Japan and India, increasing new deals. An official announcement will follow soon." Lee also emphasized that Xsolla's value proposition extends beyond fee reduction. "Developers are also satisfied with our tax management and fraud prevention capabilities. Even those initially selected other payment providers are increasingly switching to Xsolla." As for developer support, Xsolla continues to invest in initiatives for indie developers. 'Our solutions are designed with global indie studios in mind. We're actively participating in events like PlayX4 and BIC, and we're expanding promotional channels to support international exposure,' she said. In closing, Lee remarked, 'Xsolla is ready to partner with any game developer focused on global expansion and profitability. We hope the Buy Button becomes a strategic tool for growth in today's challenging market landscape.' Hashtag: #Xsolla The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Xsolla Xsolla is a leading global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the industry. Since its founding in 2005, Xsolla has helped thousands of game developers and publishers of all sizes fund, market, launch, and monetize their games globally and across multiple platforms. As an innovative leader in game commerce, Xsolla's mission is to solve the inherent complexities of global distribution, marketing, and monetization to help our partners reach more geographies, generate more revenue, and create relationships with gamers worldwide. Headquartered and incorporated in Los Angeles, California, with offices in London, Berlin, Seoul, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Raleigh, Tokyo, Montreal, and cities around the world. Xsolla
Arabian Post
a day ago
- Arabian Post
India Becomes Crucial Node in Apple's Tariff-Battling Export Strategy
Foxconn's latest customs data confirms that from 1 March to 31 May 2025, an overwhelming 97 per cent of all iPhones assembled in India were destined for the United States, totalling $3.2 billion in exports—nearly double the 50 per cent average seen throughout 2024. May alone accounted for almost $1 billion, the second‑highest monthly export value ever recorded—just behind March's $1.3 billion. This sharp shift reflects Apple's concerted effort to navigate escalating U.S. tariffs targeting Chinese exports, under a policy framework that now imposes 55 per cent duties on Chinese-made goods. India, by contrast, is subject to only a 10 per cent base tariff—with ongoing negotiations aimed at averting a proposed additional 26 per cent reciprocal levy. Apple's strategic manoeuvres go well beyond plant output figures. In March, it chartered aircraft to ship around $2 billion worth of iPhone models—including the 13, 14, 16 and 16e series—from Chennai to the U.S.. Concurrently, it has lobbied Indian customs officials to streamline clearance time at Chennai Airport from approximately 30 hours to just six. ADVERTISEMENT Tata Electronics—the smaller of Apple's Indian manufacturing partners—also ramped up its U.S.-bound export rate, shipping an average of 86 per cent of its March‑April output abroad, compared to just 52 per cent across 2024. Analysts at Counterpoint Research estimate that Apple's production capacity in India will contribute 25–30 per cent of global iPhone shipments by the end of 2025, up from 18 per cent in 2024. Industry insiders note that Tamil Nadu has become India's iPhone manufacturing epicentre, hosting some 70–80 per cent of domestic output through facilities run by Foxconn, Pegatron and Tata, and leverages major infrastructure investments to support scale‑up. The strategic pivot has not gone unnoticed in Washington. Donald Trump voiced disapproval in Doha, urging Apple to prioritise U.S.-based manufacturing over Indian operations. He cast the policy shift as unwelcome, stating he did 'not want you building in India' and emphasised domestic production, although analysts warn it would be economically unfeasible—potentially tripling iPhone prices—if Apple were to replicate its Chinese supply chain in the U.S.. Despite vocal criticism from Trump, India's government continues to cultivate its appeal as a high‑tech manufacturing hub under the 'China Plus One' model. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration has facilitated green corridors and industrial investments, particularly in Tamil Nadu, aiming to amplify smartphone exports. The state's industrial minister and private‑sector leaders have pointed to India's growing workforce and operational readiness as key strengths. However, the pathway is not without hurdles. High duties on imported components continue to hinder cost efficiency, even as trade negotiations between New Delhi and Washington seek to secure tariff relief. India remains more expensive than other manufacturing hubs unless concessions are secured. Still, the numbers speak convincingly. Foxconn's India exports hit $4.4 billion to U.S. shores in just the first five months of 2025—already exceeding the full‑year 2024 tally of $3.7 billion. Simultaneously, India's mobile‑electronics exports raced ahead, reaching approximately $12.8 billion in 2024, with iPhones now powering nearly 70 per cent of that figure. India's climb in Apple's supply chain mirrors broader geopolitical shifts—illustrating how trade pressure, tariff regimes and national strategies are reshaping global manufacturing. As Apple continues to amplify operations in India, the region is fast developing into a pivotal node in the technology economy—offering a compelling alternative to the long-established China corridor amidst deepening trade tensions.
