The VR Hyperloop Experience is an immersive 3D visualization that makes Hyperloop travels tangible already today.
Unity, C#, Pico 4, Blender, Virtual Reality, Hyperloop
Hyperloop is an entirely new mode of transportation, and many aspects of what it feels like to travel this way are still to be discovered. The goal is to create a three-dimensional interactive platform that enables potential users to visualize and interact with the Hyperloop capsule and understand the dynamics of its journey. This interactive experience aims to familiarize users with Hyperloop traveling. The purpose of this is to educate the people who have never seen Hyperloop traveling and cannot comprehend that experience yet. This virtual Hyperloop journey should also help to identify new, not-foreseen challenges. How does the traveler feel in such a small capsule, or are there certain anxieties or issues with this form of traveling? This product should help to find and identify such issues. So overall the objective is to anticipate challenges that have not yet been considered, ensuring a smoother Hyperloop experience. And to educate the public about this innovative transportation method. Our project aims to transform Hyperloop travel into a concept that is widely understood and embraced by potential users.
The EuroTube Foundation is a Swiss non-profit research organization for the development of vacuum transport technology, also known as Hyperloop. They are recognized in Switzerland as a research institute of national importance. Founded in 2019, EuroTube grew from an association of former ETHZ and EPFL students who successfully participated in the SpaceX Hyperloop Competitions into a professional research center with around fifteen staff and an office and laboratory in Dübendorf near Zürich.
While organizing such a big project, safety and emergency management, public opinion, and acceptance of new technology are particularly important and can play a significant role. With the ability to travel at airplane speed in a tube on the ground, Hyperloop could be a valuable new form of transportation. But most people still struggle to imagine what such a form of travel might feel and look like.
Extended reality systems are a powerful technology that could support the development of the Hyperloop in two crucial study cases: (i) the feedback from the public on the environment in the Hyperloop vehicle and station; (ii) the iteration of the design choices for creating a comfortable experience.
The thesis explores which extended reality technologies can create a system for interactive experiences and design validation.
In this thesis, the passenger experience is created, which includes station design, capsule design, the boarding process, and the travel itself.
The thesis also explores the opportunities and challenges people may experience regarding the environment of a Hyperloop vehicle and the process of entering.
This project provides a complete solution for exploring Hyperloop travel options with an interactive VR simulation. It helps users to get familiar with the technology, identifies potential problems, and collects important feedback to support the development and acceptance of Hyperloop travel. Through detailed testing and user involvement, the goal of this project is to help refine this innovative transportation method and to help make it a reality.
Bachelorthesis
Project Duration: 19.02.24 until 16.08.24
Effort in Person Hours: 800
Team Size: 2
Dr. Lorenzo Benedetti
Julian Ehwald
eurotube.orgPhilippe Fasel
Kevin Würsch
Prof. Dr. Anton Fedosov: anton.fedosov@fhnw.ch
Cloe Hüsser: cloe.huesser@fhnw.ch
