Latest news with #Hyperloop
The Star
29-05-2025
- Science
- The Star
Elon Musk's Hyperloop has a key flaw. Chinese scientists may have found ‘cure'
Chinese scientists claimed to have solved a critical flaw in the futuristic vision of ultra-high speed ground travel, potentially salvaging vacuum-tube maglev technology and casting new light on the challenges faced by Elon Musk's Hyperloop concept. A study published by China's peer-reviewed Journal of Railway Science and Engineering on May 16 showed that even minor imperfections – such as uneven coils or bridge deformations – would turn a journey into an ordeal, even in near-airless tunnels. But the engineers – who are working at the world's first full-scale test line in central China – also said they found a way to slash turbulence intensity by nearly a half, reducing 'extremely severe bumps' to levels that were 'pronounced, but not unpleasant'. The researchers, led by Zhao Ming from the maglev and electromagnetic propulsion division of state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), said they used supercomputer simulations and scaled-down prototype tests for the study. The team found that track irregularities and electromagnetic resonance were enough to trigger violent low-frequency vibrations in maglev cars travelling at the technology's cruising speed of 1,000km/h (612mph). Using the 1940s-era Sperling Index, an international metric for ride comfort, the study showed that oscillations amplified at specific speeds, with a peak at 400km/h (249mph) reaching a level of vibration deemed 'extremely unpleasant'. At the next peak, which occurred when the cars were travelling at 600km/h (373mph), the researchers recorded a Sperling Index of 4.2 – a level at which prolonged exposure to the vibrations would be harmful. According to the paper, once the test cars reached cruising speeds of 1,000km/h, the vibrations lessened to 3.1 on the Sperling Index – defined as 'barely tolerable'. A system that propels magnetically levitated pods through low-pressure tubes at near-supersonic speeds was first proposed by Musk in 2013, in a white paper that captivated engineers around the world. Attempts to develop the Hyperloop concept at a SpaceX test track ended in 2023, after a number of technical hurdles, including the challenge of maintaining vacuum integrity and stabilising pods at extreme velocities. In contrast, China is charging ahead, with the stakes transcending the engineering challenges. Beijing has made ultra-high-speed magnetic levitation tech a national research priority that could not only redefine global transit, but also transform other critical sectors, including the race to achieve low-cost space launches. The test facility in Datong, Shanxi province, represents Beijing's bet that China will dominate the next generation of public transport. To that end, its engineers have achieved airtight concrete, millimetre-precision joints and other hard-won feats. According to the research team, without physical contact between train and track, the system's electromagnetic forces interact with the cabin in unpredictable ways. The result is resonance that would rattle passengers 'with extreme levels of instability'. 'Our research accounted for track irregularities, vertical bending of bridges, and single-frequency excitations induced by lateral irregularities in ground coils,' wrote Zhao and his colleagues. 'Under track excitation at an equivalent speed of 1,000km/h, the car body exhibited peak vibration amplitudes at frequencies of 2.6 Hz, 5.2 Hz, 7.8 Hz, and 10.4 Hz,' they added. To overcome the problem, the Chinese team developed a hybrid suspension system combining passive air springs with electromagnetic actuators that are controlled by artificial intelligence. The electricity-powered actuators adopt two cutting-edge control strategies, the paper said. One is a so-called sky-hook that mimics an imaginary damper linking the cabin to a stationary 'sky', using real-time velocity feedback to neutralise low-frequency jolts. The other strategy, PID control, adjusts suspension forces via proportional, integral, and derivative algorithms, optimised by an NSGA-II genetic AI method to handle variable track conditions. When tested on a 1:10 scale model with six-axis motion simulators, the system reduced vertical vibration intensity, measured as a root mean square acceleration, by 45.6 per cent under realistic track profiles. Sperling Index scores stayed below 2.5 – 'more pronounced but not unpleasant' – across all speeds, according to the study. The researchers said there were still some challenges ahead, such as scaling up the suspension tech for full-sized trains and ensuring that they would work in emergency braking and other extreme conditions.
South China Morning Post
28-05-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Elon Musk's Hyperloop can be ‘extremely unpleasant', China project scientists have ‘cure'
Chinese scientists claimed to have solved a critical flaw in the futuristic vision of ultra-high speed ground travel, potentially salvaging vacuum-tube maglev technology and casting new light on the challenges faced by Elon Musk's Hyperloop concept. A study published by China's peer-reviewed Journal of Railway Science and Engineering on May 16 showed that even minor imperfections – such as uneven coils or bridge deformations – would turn a journey into an ordeal, even in near-airless tunnels. But the engineers – who are working at the world's first full-scale test line in central China – also said they found a way to slash turbulence intensity by nearly a half, reducing 'extremely severe bumps' to levels that were 'pronounced, but not unpleasant'. The researchers, led by Zhao Ming from the maglev and electromagnetic propulsion division of state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), said they used supercomputer simulations and scaled-down prototype tests for the study. The team found that track irregularities and electromagnetic resonance were enough to trigger violent low-frequency vibrations in maglev cars travelling at the technology's cruising speed of 1,000km/h (612mph). Using the 1940s-era Sperling Index, an international metric for ride comfort, the study showed that oscillations amplified at specific speeds, with a peak at 400km/h (249mph) reaching a level of vibration deemed 'extremely unpleasant'.
Economic Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Foresight, Female Founders, and the Future - Vera Futorjanski on Building Big in Dubai
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel That's not a pitch—it's a reflection. Vera Futorjanski, founder of Veritas Ventures and a driving force behind several of Dubai's innovation milestones, joined the Live, Work & Play in Dubai podcast to share how the city's culture of foresight, inclusion, and speed has shaped her journey—and why it's a launchpad for founders arrived in Dubai a decade ago as an entrepreneur-in-residence for Rocket Internet. She stayed for four months—then never left. 'I wouldn't have had the same opportunities anywhere else in the world,' she said. 'I was here at the right time when Dubai decided we are going to diversify from oil and become the most innovative city on the planet.'That commitment wasn't just policy—it was participation. Vera became part of the founding team of Dubai Future Accelerators, a government-led platform that embedded startups inside public entities like Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), and the Health Authority.'We sat together, imagined a future 10, 20, 30 years ahead, and then scouted the world to find companies working on those topics—be it Hyperloop or blockchain. Then we brought them to Dubai and paired them with government teams. That's how real innovation happened.'For Indian businesses and entrepreneurs, this model presents a unique opportunity—working not around the system, but within it. Whether in smart mobility, digital identity, or urban tech, Dubai offers structured collaboration at her firm Veritas Ventures, Vera now helps governments, corporates, and scaleups define future scenarios and work backwards to get there.'It's about leading from the future. We ask: What do we want our preferred future to look like? And then we reverse-engineer it,' she explained. 'In a world of uncertainty, the ability to anticipate trends and prepare for them is not a luxury—it's a leadership skill.'This resonates strongly with India's tech ecosystem, which is also navigating rapid transitions in AI, climate, and urban growth. The difference? Dubai's public-private alignment accelerates initiative Beyond brings together women from across cultures and industries. 'In Dubai, I'm surrounded by empowered Arab women. But in Europe, many have never met one. I wanted to change that.'She curates gatherings with '10 women from 10 different countries,' fostering connection over transaction. 'You go deeper. That's why I love this region—it's about relationship-building.'She notes that platforms like DIFC's Ignite, Female Angels, and E7 are creating space for more female entrepreneurs and investors, something Indian founders can increasingly tap into.'Globally, only 2% of VC funding goes to women. Here, it's even less,' Vera noted. 'Men are asked visionary questions. Women are asked about the status quo.'Her advice? 'Say your vision, even if you're not asked. Politicians do it all the time—founders should too. We need more women on the other side of the table—female investors who relate to the founders in front of them. That's how real change will happen.'Dubai's startup ecosystem isn't just tech-friendly—it's accessible. 'In Europe, you send a fax. In Dubai, Emirates Post replies on Instagram,' Vera laughed. 'That digital efficiency is a game-changer.'Her advice to Indian entrepreneurs considering Dubai: 'Join communities. Don't do it alone. This city thrives on creativity and relationships.''I started as a professional dancer, then moved into politics, then tech. I've pivoted three times—and Dubai made all of that possible,' Vera a city where speed meets scale and vision meets execution; reinvention isn't an exception—it's the norm. 'That's the beauty of Dubai. It doesn't wait for the future. It builds it.'Click this lin link k for more on Business in Dubai.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dubai's Design Thinking Transformation: An Emerging Global Model for Smart Governance
Dubai's Design Thinking Transformation (ET Spotlight) 29:45 Min | May 19, 2025, 12:02 PM IST Live, Work & Play in Dubai – Ft. Vera Futorjanski In this forward-looking episode of Live, Work & Play in Dubai, we're joined by Vera Futorjanski—global innovation strategist and founder of Veritas Ventures—to discuss Dubai's evolving approach to embedding innovation within governance. The episode dives into how Dubai transformed itself into a testing ground for emerging technologies by incorporating foresight tools such as scenario planning and future trends analysis into public policy design. ...Read More Futorjanski recounts the early days of Dubai Future Accelerators, where government entities partnered with global startups to pilot technologies such as blockchain and experimental concepts like the Hyperloop and urban air mobility. She also reflects on Dubai's emphasis on public-private experimentation and cross-border collaboration, and how the city has emerged as a leader in the UAE's policy-driven innovation push, with growing global visibility.. The episode is a deep dive into how long-term strategic planning paired with agile execution can influence urban development in the digital age, shaping the cities of tomorrow. ...Read Less
Gizmodo
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Gizmodo
Elon Musk Brings Starlink to Saudi Arabia as U.S. Oligarchs Join Trump in Middle East
Trump bragged about the multi-billion dollar deals between Saudi Arabia and Big Tech. Elon Musk says his satellite internet provider Starlink, a part of SpaceX, has been approved in Saudi Arabia for maritime and aviation use. The billionaire made the announcement while being interviewed at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, a conference where several American oligarchs have joined President Donald Trump to cut deals with the Saudi royal family. Musk 'thanked the kingdom for approving Starlink,' referring to the Saudi government, without explaining further, and teased that he'd like to bring his nascent robotaxis to Saudi Arabia. 'Yeah, so really you can think of a car or future cars as being robots on four wheels. And you know, I think it would be very exciting to have autonomous vehicles here in the kingdom, indeed, if you're amenable,' Musk said 'You heard it here from Elon,' the interviewer said. 'He's bringing his robotaxi to the kingdom.' Musk didn't offer any specifics and is long known as a bullshitter, so it's not clear how serious the billionaire is about bringing robotaxis to the Middle East. Tesla plans to launch a trial of its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, in June, but details on that venture are still scarce. Musk also promoted his tunnel-digging venture, The Boring Company, while on stage, explaining that his goal was to 'solve traffic' by digging tunnels underground. The billionaire hyped The Boring Company relentlessly during Trump's first term but has only delivered the most pathetic results. Musk billed his ideas, like the Hyperloop and The Loop, as next-generation, high-speed answers for transportation. In the end, he's only delivered a slow-moving Tesla driven by a human and hobbled public works projects. But that didn't stop Musk from insisting that his only functional tunnel ride in Las Vegas, 'feels like teleporting for one part of Vegas to another.' Most people do not describe the experience like that. Musk's America PAC, one of the political arms the billionaire started to help get Trump elected in 2024, shared a video on X that was billed as Musk's 'full remarks' but seemed to start mid-conversation. Judging from reports out of the conference, it appears Musk had earlier been talking about humanoid robots. 'My prediction, actually, for humanoid robots is that ultimately they will be tens of billions,' Musk said, according to CNBC. 'I think everyone will want to have their personal robot. You can think of it, like, as though you had your own personal C-3PO or R2-D2. But even better.' President Trump was supposed to be the main attraction at the forum on Tuesday, and his presence in Saudi Arabia was extremely weird, to say the least. Trump opened his speech at the conference with organizers playing Lee Greenwood's song 'God Bless the USA,' as though it was the national anthem or something. Trump stood there in silence for the entirety of the song as the room all stood in silence. The camera periodically cut to Saudi leader Mohammad bin Salman, sometimes known as MBS, and he appeared to be stifling laughter. Trump, who earlier had trouble keeping his eyes open, largely focused on U.S. domestic politics and his personal grievances during the speech, which may not have been exceptional if he had been on American soil. Historically, it's more normal for U.S. presidents to expand their focus when traveling overseas and not bring up petty matters in an international setting. These aren't normal times, of course. Several American business leaders were spotted in Riyadh on Tuesday, including Palantir CEO Alex Karp, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang even announced his company would be selling 18,000 of its latest AI chips to Saudi Arabia, according to CNBC. But not every tech oligarch was on hand for the forum. In fact, Trump called out Apple's CEO saying during his speech that, 'Tim Cook isn't here,' apparently upset about that for some reason. 'This week there are multi-billion dollar commercial deals with Amazon, Oracle, AMD, they're all here… Uber, Qualcomm, Johnson & Johnson, and many more,' Trump said. 'So I want to congratulate everybody. So many great business executives, many of you… most of you, I know.' Trump went on to say 'they weren't that happy when they saw me,' apparently referring to his election in Nov. 2024, 'and now they're saying, sir, you're doing a great job, thank you very much. It's amazing what a rising market will do.' And Trump isn't altogether wrong. OpenAI's Sam Altman, who criticized the president during his first term, was spotted meeting with both MBS and Trump in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Altman has been rallying behind Trump, as AI boosters believe the Republican president can help inject money into their technology. Trump has held close ties to MBS and the Saudi royal family, even after the leader became an international pariah during Trump's first term. Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi was murdered at the order of MBS in Istanbul, Turkey, but Trump has always cozied up to the most brutal dictators around the world while denigrating the leaders of liberal democracies. President Trump said Tuesday that Saudi Arabia would be buying $600 billion of military equipment. And Trump's tech buddies, from Musk to Altman, are happy to go along for the ride as long as it helps their bottom line.
