Technical Development

‍Our most recent technical advancements

HYPED announced significant development in technology related to the Hyperloop concept, a proposed network of near-vacuum steel tubes to transport humans and cargo in magnetically levitating pods. Such innovations bring the distant Hyperloop dream, as well as the often-quoted 50 minute Edinburgh to London journey time a step closer. The team, comprising of engineering and science students from the University of Edinburgh, work hard each year to design and manufacture cutting-edge technology and this year announced three novel and innovative designs, each of which has been the centrepiece of a thesis.

The new designs for linear induction motors, lightweight chassis, electromagnetic levitation, and power redundant brakes are all bringing HYPED a step closer towards developing a full-scale Hyperloop system.

The electronics subsystem is a core element of the hyperloop pod. It is a concoction of various sensors and controllers which work together to create a seamless interface. The system provides the necessary communication channels between the pod’s intricate mechanical systems, feedback sensors, and controllers. The efficiency and effectiveness of the system are paramount, as they ultimately determine the success of the pod’s operation.
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Pod Ness

HYPED’s fifth pod, Pod Ness, is all about scalability. Pod Ness further improves on its predecessors and paves a path for future technical development for the HYPED Technical Team.

Pod Ness will be showcased at European Hyperloop Week 2023 in Edinburgh.
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  • Single Sided Linear Induction Motor - manufactured completely in-house
  • Active vertical suspension system
  • Sense & control system composed of a complex array of sensors, operating on Robotic OS
  • Fibreglass shell
  • Power-redundant friction brakes
  • LiPo high-power battery system

Greyfriars Poddy

HYPED’s fourth pod, Greyfriars Poddy, showcases a major shift from past years’ ASM propulsion system to linear induction motors, as well as significant upgrades in the braking, suspension, and power modules. We continue to develop our long term goal of designing a fully scalable Hyperloop prototype.

Greyfriars Poddy was showcased at European Hyperloop Week 2022 where it placed Top Five in the Mechanical Subsystem Award of the Design Competition.

  • Linear Induction Motors
  • Power redundant magnetic brakes
  • Chassis made of carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb
  • Shell designed using genetic algorithms
  • LiPo high-power battery system
The Flying Podsman

Finals of the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod
Competition IV, 2019.

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  • Arc Synchronous Motors (ASM) – a novel
    magnetic propulsion and braking system proposed by HYPED
  • Chassis made of carbon fibre and
    aluminium honeycomb
  • Biomimetics inspired shell
  • Fully autonomous system
  • Redesigned emergency brakes
  • Top speed: 306 km/h
Poddy The Second

6th place at SpaceX Hyperloop Pod
Competition III, 2018


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  • Electrodynamic wheels for propulsion and high-speed braking
  • Magnetic levitation system
  • Carbon fibre chassis
  • Fully autonomous system
  • Carbon fibre composite pressurised vessel – the only pod at the Competition able to transport a person
  • Optimised aerodynamic nose cones
  • Emergency pneumatic brakes
  • Top speed: 270 km/h
Poddy McPodface

First British Hyperloop Pod. Finals of the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod
Competition II, 2017


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  • Magnetic levitation
  • Rigid steel construction
  • Fully autonomous system
  • Fibreglass shell