Our year in review
2023 has been an exciting year for Hardt Hyperloop. A big thank you to our partners, investors, and the whole team for making the hyperloop a reality!
This year marked the kick-off and completion of the 420-meter hyperloop infrastructure for the European Hyperloop Center, the closing of a €12M investment round, and much more. Scroll through this year's overview for a recap of the key achievements.
Production start of the hyperloop pipes
Early this year the production of the hyperloop pipes for the European Hyperloop Center started together with our manufacturing partner Mercon. In the factory at Gorinchem, South Holland, the pipes are fully assembled to become official hyperloop pipes.
Launch of the first international Hyperloop Association
Leading hyperloop companies from Europe, Canada, and the United States have formed the first international Hyperloop Association, to foster the development and implementation of the hyperloop.
Read moreStrategic collaboration agreement with POSCO International (South Korea)
Hardt Hyperloop and POSCO International have signed a strategic collaboration agreement, supported by the Dutch and Korean ministers of foreign trade. This agreement stated collaborative market development in Asia-Pacific, POSCO International’s ambition to continue investing in Hardt Hyperloop, and the development of specific steel for hyperloop by POSCO.
Rotterdam Municipality accepts motion to investigate hyperloop pilot route
The Rotterdam city council has passed a motion to explore the feasibility of integrating the hyperloop into its public transport system, with parties like Volt, VVD, GroenLinks, Denk, and D66 seeking to reserve space for a pilot route. This initiative, considered amidst debates on tram line reductions and new housing developments, aims to test the hyperloop's potential for high-frequency, low-energy, and low-maintenance transport.
Hyperloop propulsion prototype success
Hardt's magnetic motor concept with a vehicle-mounted magnetic motor has been proven successful. By spinning up a wheel to simulate the infrastructure, the motor achieved successful tests up to 300 km/hr.
Collaboration agreement with TuTr Hyperloop (India)
Hardt Hyperloop and TuTr Hyperloop have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enter a strategic partnership for developing interoperable hyperloop technology between Europe and India, and advance the development of hyperloop together. This later led to Hardt being the provider of the magnetic propulsion drives to TuTr.
Read more
€12M Investment secured for the European Hyperloop Center
The investment was made by a consortium of public & private investors, among others the European Innovation Council, POSCO International, Urban Impact Ventures, InnovationQuarter, and Investment Fund Groningen. The investment is utilized for completing the European Hyperloop Center and its test vehicle, enabling the commencement of testing operations by 2024.
Read moreHyperloop Progress Paper published on the 10-year hyperloop anniversary
Hardt Hyperloop published its technological advancements in the Hyperloop Progress Paper to mark the 10-year anniversary of Elon Musk's original hyperloop concept. This solidified Hardt’s vision of open and collaborative innovation, aiming to accelerate hyperloop technology development within the hyperloop community.
Read moreKick-off of the European Hyperloop Center pipe placement in Veendam, Groningen
At the kick-off event for the European Hyperloop Center, Hardt Hyperloop and its partners celebrated the start of the installation of the hyperloop pipes, done by infrastructure partner Denys.
Read moreStrategic partnership formed with Zeleros Hyperloop (Spain)
Hardt and Zeleros have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, committing to a strategic partnership that will expedite the technical and commercial developments of hyperloop. We will collaborate closely on a shared development roadmap to achieve technology convergence and interoperability, and work together on hyperloop testing in the Netherlands and Spain.
Read more
The pipe assembly of the European Hyperloop Center is completed!
The European Hyperloop Center has achieved a significant milestone with the assembly of all its hyperloop pipes, spanning the full 420-meter length and including a full lane switch.
Hardt Hyperloop test vehicle assembly evolving at a rapid pace
The hyperloop vehicle that will be tested at the European Hyperloop Center is assembled in Hardt Hyperloop's workshop in Rotterdam at a rapid pace. This vehicle allows the demonstration of all essential hyperloop technologies such as magnetic levitation, propulsion, stabilization, and taking a full lane-switch.
We would like to thank all our partners and investors that made this year another success in the hyperloop developments, and for bringing our shared vision closer to reality.
What’s next for 2024?
In 2024, Hardt Hyperloop plans to begin testing operations at the European Hyperloop Center. The hyperloop test vehicle will come to completion and we can't wait for the vehicle to demonstrate all its technologies and to take the lane-switch at full speed.
