The first model for U-Loop, which is a hyperloop created by UNIST, was revealed Thursday at Lotte City Hotel Ulsan, where the forum is being held. (Image: UNIST)
ULSAN, Oct. 26 (Korea Bizwire) – The Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) unveiled today a model for the U-Loop, its next generation ultra high-speed public transport mode at this year’s forum for public transport policy and technology.
The first model for U-Loop, which is a hyperloop created by UNIST, was revealed Thursday at Lotte City Hotel Ulsan, where the forum is being held.
Researchers at UNIST developed some of the most crucial parts of a hyperloop, including an evacuated tube and a linear motor on a smaller scale.
The U-Loop model is capable of creating a vacuum state within its tube by reducing the atmospheric pressure level to one thousandth of actual conditions to reduce air resistance.
The vehicle also uses a permanent magnet to float, and is powered by a linear induction motor instead of a traditional rotary motor.
The model, which was first unveiled at this year’s transportation policy forum, is expected to be developed further, while the current version will be used to promote and introduce hyperloop technology.
According to the research team, however, a linear synchronous motor needs to be adopted in order to speed up the development process of UNIST’s hyperloop model.
Last July marked the beginning of UNIST’s research and development into its own hyperloop technology, a proposed mode of transport that first received international recognition when a joint team of Tesla and Space X released an open-source vactrain design.
To secure original technology, UNIST put together a research team of 11 professors from the fields of atomic energy, electrical and computer engineering and design, while working closely with the Korea Railroad Research Institute and the Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials.
“Hyperloop is the fruition of future convergence technology that will bring a revolution to public transport. Named after UNIST, the development of U-Loop will reshape the landscape of public transport,” said Lee Jae-sun, a professor of mechanization and aviation and member of the research team.
The Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) unveiled today a model for the U-Loop, its next generation ultra high-speed public transport mode at this year’s forum for public transport policy and technology. (Image: UNIST)
Along with the revealing of the U-Loop model, a number of academic sessions under a different topic were held at the forum, including the use of big data in public transport and the development of environment-friendly modes of public transport.
First held in 2009 in Seoul, the annual transport policy forum marked its 7th anniversary this year, providing useful and practical information to the industry.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
