Hyperloop Pod Prototypes
Look how far we've come
PODDY MC PODFACE
First Generation Prototype (2017)
Poddy McPodface was HYPED’s first-ever pod and competed in 2017 at the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition II in Hawthorne, USA
- Built with a custom fibre-reinforced polymer shell
- Steel spaceframe chassis for strength and stability
- Served as a proof of concept to inspire future pod development
- Laid the foundation for subsequent generations
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Purpose:
PODDY THE 2ND
Second Generation Prototype (2018)
Poddy the Second was developed as a second-generation pod and competed in 2018 at the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition III in Hawthorne, USA
- Upgraded systems including magnetic propulsion and emergency brakes
- Passenger cabin incorporated for demonstration purposes
- Propulsion provided by two pairs of radial flux Halbach arrays
- Modular chassis design, allowing removal of subsystems in under 10 minutes
- Passive levitation achieved using four skis with linear Halbach arrays
- Shortlisted among the top teams in the competition
- Demonstrated a more advanced, modular, and scalable design compared to the first pod
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Achievements:
THE FLYING PODSMAN
Third-generation prototype (2019)
The Flying Podsman was HYPED’s third-generation pod and competed in 2019 at the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition IV in Hawthorne, USA.
- Used an arc-synchronous motor paired with an electrodynamic wheel for propulsion
- Experimented with new propulsion technology
- Introduced failsafe braking systems
- Simplified structure for easier development and testing
- More scalable design
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Improvements over previous pods:
GREYFRIARS PODDY
Fourth Generation Prototype (2022)
Greyfriars Poddy was showcased in 2022 at European Hyperloop Week in Delft, the Netherlands.
- Made with a titanium alloy chassis
- First use of a linear induction motor and first pod with Mag-brakes
- Displayed at the National Railway Museum in York
- Established HYPED's test track
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Achievements:
POD NESS
Fifth Generation Prototype (2023)
Pod Ness was presented in 2023 at European Hyperloop Week in Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Accomplishments:
- Our first fully functioning pod
- Featuring active vertical suspension
- Successfully incorporated our linear induction motor Incorporated a cooling system for scalability
