Brussels, October 23, 2023.
Seven leading international hyperloop companies have gathered in Brussels with industry, institutions, and the research community to kick off The Hyperloop Association, the first organization committed to advancing the emerging hyperloop industry toward commercialization.
The association’s founding members, including H1, Hardt Hyperloop, HyperloopTT, Nevomo, Swisspod Technologies, TransPod, and Zeleros, held the inaugural ceremony in the epicenter of the European Union’s capital. During the event, they officially introduced the organization and extended an open invitation to global industry stakeholders and partners to join in its mission.
“We envision a future of transportation that is fast, efficient, and sustainable, one that unlocks new social and economic prospects, and empowers our global community. This vision has led us to unite under one voice, The Hyperloop Association, and create a global force for change. Together, we amplify our impact, fast-tracking hyperloop development to address the pressing transportation challenges we are facing today. We invite ecosystem players to join the association and collaborate in consolidating this rapidly growing industry”, said Ben Paczek, the President of The Hyperloop Association.
A vote of confidence from visionary leaders in European transportation
During the event, renowned experts and thought leaders from the European Commission took center stage, delivering insightful keynote presentations, and shedding light on the future of hyperloop technology and the association’s pivotal role in advancing this technology that will support interoperability and global transportation.
“The Hyperloop Association is the first vertical association and sets a reference for future mobility innovation initiatives”, stated Isidro Laso, Cabinet member of EU Transport Commissioner Adina Valean.
Keir Fitch, Head of Rail Safety and Interoperability of The Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport DG MOVE at the European Commission said, “We have been working with promoters since 2018 and it is great to see the project evolving, the European Commission is working to provide a regulatory framework impact assessment of this innovative means of transport“.
“Hyperloop is in the European Commissions’ Europe Rail agenda and the creation of the association is seen as a key step forward for this transport ecosystem”, Judit Sandor, Hyperloop Project Officer at Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking, the main public-private European programme in rail innovation, pointed out.
A unified vision for the future
The Hyperloop Association has set forth a comprehensive agenda aimed at addressing critical challenges within the industry while simultaneously seizing market opportunities. These challenges include regulatory compliance, securing funds for R&D and pilot projects, and strategic infrastructure planning. In parallel, the association aims to leverage mature developers, test-track progress, collaboration with Europe’s rail projects, and active participation in industry groups.
To fulfil its objectives, The Hyperloop Association is committed to assuming a leading role in the establishment of industry regulation and certification. Furthermore, it is dedicated to advocating for expedited funding to accelerate technological advancements, collaborating closely with organizations such as the European Commission’s DG MOVE, and standardization institutes to ensure the development of a secure, sustainable hyperloop governance framework.
The association is also dedicated to promoting intermodal collaboration with existing transportation modes, enhancing transportation network synergy to create a seamless and efficient transport ecosystem. Simultaneously, it seeks to raise awareness and disseminate information regarding the potential of hyperloop technology and its associated benefits through effective communication strategies.
Fostering global collaboration: the cornerstone of a thriving new market
Europe has played a leading role in fostering the hyperloop dialogue, with the European Commission’s inclusion of hyperloop in its mobility package and an ongoing impact assessment. Furthermore, European standardization committees have already issued initial guidelines, providing a foundation for incorporating existing standards into hyperloop technology.
This remarkable progress owes its success to the collaboration among the hyperloop players founding The Hyperloop Association. Back in 2018, they initiated their first collaborative agreements, paving the way for the establishment of the world’s first Hyperloop Systems Standardization Committee in 2020.
Joining the momentum
Countries such as the United States, China, Türkiye, South Korea and India have also incorporated hyperloop into their transportation, research and development agendas, anticipating the far-reaching benefits of this transformative technology.
Events and competitions, including the European Hyperloop Week and The Hyperloop Conference are uniting hyperloop enthusiasts from around the world. Furthermore, hyperloop has secured a prominent place on the global stage, featuring in events such as the World Expo Dubai and the World Economic Forum.
As the ecosystem keeps growing and consolidating, The Hyperloop Association invites companies, institutions, and authorities to join the association and become part of the evolution of transportation market.
About The Hyperloop Association:
The Hyperloop Association is the first global association within the hyperloop industry, founded by 7 international players in this emerging market: Hardt, H1, HyperloopTT, Nevomo, Swisspod Technologies, TransPod, and Zeleros.
The Hyperloop Association aims to stimulate the development and growth of this emerging new transportation market, participate and support institutes in collaborating with government and regulatory agencies on transportation policy making.
Based in Brussels, The Hyperloop Association works closely with the European Commission, the European Parliament, Europe`s Rail Joint Undertaking, industry value chain stakeholders, research centers, and academia to advance the progress and facilitate the widespread implementation of the innovative transportation system across Europe and globally.
For more updates please follow The Association’s website and LinkedIn.
About hyperloop
Hyperloop is a new mode of transport which combines existing railway, aviation and aerospace technologies to move passenger and freight in a low-pressure environment at ultra-high speeds with high energy efficiency and zero direct emissions.
Hyperloop is a 200-year-old idea that builds on the basics of magnetic levitation trains already operating in China and Japan. Popularized by Elon Musk, it offers a solution for traffic congestion and delays through highly automated, all-weather transportation. Additionally, it minimizes transport-related emissions while increasing the resilience of the global transport networks and supply chains.
Press contact:
Website: www.hyperloopassociation.org
Contact: contact@hyperloopassociation.org
