TransPod Partners with Liebherr-Aerospace to Develop Technology for Hyperloop

There are millions of professionals around the world who are relegated to daily commuting. A study commissioned by the Toronto Board of Trade showed that in Canada’s largest city, commuters spend an average of 80 minutes round trip to reach their offices. That’s more than an hour each day that workers will never get back.

But Toronto-based Transpod—a Canadian Startup Awards’ Technology Innovation 2017 finalistis hustling to create an alternative.

Transpod aims to redefine commercial transportation. The startup was formed in 2015 as an answer to Elon Musk’s challenge to create a half-scale model concept.

This high-stakes contest is meant to create a fast, sustainable, tube-inspired transportation option aptly titled the Hyperloop. And Transpod’s hyperloop technology is the Canadian response to this call.

Today TransPod announced a partnership with Liebherr-Aerospace, a leading global supplier of air management, flight control actuation systems, landing gears, gears and gearboxes as well as electronics for the aviation industry in the civil and military sectors.

“Here at TransPod, we’re working on introducing the fifth mode of transportation (after boats, trains, planes, and automobiles) around the world,” says Sebastien Gendron, Transpod CEO. “What we have today doesn’t help to solve the challenges we’re facing, including urban density, mobility, and efficiency. We’re seeing increased interest in hyperloop and its potential for realizing true urban mobility: the dream is to not be confined by distances.”

Liebherr-Aerospace will support the research, development, and production of new cabin and vehicle thermal systems designed specifically for the TransPod hyperloop system to ensure safety, efficiency, and passenger comfort.

To develop a commercially viable hyperloop system, TransPod continues to build a network of global industry partners. In that network, Liebherr-Aerospace’s extensive experience in developing leading-edge technology for aircraft, rail, and automotive vehicles will guide the design of systems that have low operating costs while remaining environmentally friendly and robust.

“As TransPod’s vision and technology pave the way for hyperloop to become a reality around the world, we are continuing to expand our partner network of global industry giants who are passionate about re-imagining and improving the way we live and work,” added Gendron. “Liebherr-Aerospace’s expertise and commitment to excellence has shaped technological advances in many industries, and we’re confident this partnership will propel us even closer to bringing hyperloop to life in the near future.”

In November 2016, TransPod announced the closing of a seed round for $15 million USD, and is continuing to invest in research, product development and global growth. In March 2017, TransPod announced the opening of three offices in North America and Europe to accelerate the development of a commercially viable hyperloop system by 2020.