Join the Loop, Shape the Future: Cornell Hyperloop

Thank you for your support!

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our supporters! Your contributions have allowed us to not only attend the Hyperloop Global Competition but also develop technology that sets us apart from other teams. Thanks to you, we have made significant strides in pushing the boundaries of Hyperloop innovation.

Last year, we proudly won an award for our Electromagnetic Levitation Research at Hyperloop Global. This came from our research and implementation of our Linear Induction Motor (LIM) at the competition. This key technology generates strong moving magnetic fields, enabling contactless propulsion—a major step toward the future of Hyperloop transit. We also achieved another milestone by bringing a fully operational pod to the competition for the first time in our team's history.

Why we need your support this year

This year, we’re taking our innovation to the next level. After gaining sponsorships from both Maxon and Ansys, we’re excited to announce our new ability to push Hyperloop levitation further than ever before. However, we still need help! This year, we want to focus on improving our maglev system through the development of our mini-pod. Our focus is on creating our own electromagnets, pushing the boundary of what is possible for a college team. Upon this new expansion to maglev, we are also improving our control system to keep the pod ideally positioned on the beam for maximum stability and support. Finally, to partner with the improved maglev system on the mini-pod, we are improving the chassis and aero shell on the main pod to prepare for future implementation of a full maglev system.

Join us in leading the future of transportation

With these advancements, we’re not just keeping up with the competition—we’re leading the charge. Your continued support will help us bring these innovative ideas to life and move one step closer to revolutionizing transportation. Help Hyperloop lift off by donating today!

Our amazing team

Cornell Hyperloop has over 40 undergraduate team members, organized into three teams.

The Cornell Hyperloop team is dedicated to investigating new technology for the general implementation of Hyperloop in addition to building a subscale Hyperloop pod to compete in competitions. We aim to innovate, design, and build a sustainable transportation pod from conceptualization that travels at speeds beyond those of conventional transportation modes. Our goal is to participate in the premier Hyperloop conferences and compete in track demonstrations and subsystem competitions. 

Electrical Team

The Electrical Team is responsible for constructing and maintaining the pod’s electrical system. The team is divided into 2 subteams. The Power Systems subteam is in charge of our pod’s electrical components. The Electronics, Controls, and Communications (ECC) subteam manages all of the embedded software and maintains our electrical system’s GUI.

The Electronics, Controls, and Communication team is running a LIM simulation to validate control strategies, shipping major GUI improvements, and implementing a new state machine to reach full end-to-end functionality. Hardware efforts include finalizing the sensor layout, drafting a new schematic for a LIM-less pod, and designing a custom PCB for the central motherboard while reviewing and documenting the codebase for better scalability and maintainability. Meanwhile, the Power Systems team is running LIM thrust and braking tests, advancing LIM research, bringing up a new off-pod high-voltage bench, and deploying a new on-pod power-supply setup.

Mechanical Team

The Mechanical Team is responsible for developing all of the mechanical subsystems on the pod. This team is divided into 3 subteams. The Magnetics subteam works on our propulsion and levitation systems. The Structures subteam focuses on the chassis, systems integration, and machining. The Braking subteam specializes in frictional and magnetic braking systems. 

The Mechanical Team is focused on designing our own Linear Induction Motor (LIM), while also developing a prototype for a DC electromagnetic levitation system. The Braking team is streamlining the friction-brake design to cut weight and size, increase actuations per tank fill, and boost competition robustness, while in parallel optimizing last year’s magnetic brakes into a more compact, precise assembly, adding a dead-man’s switch, and exploring regenerative/electromagnetic braking. The Magnetics team is designing a custom mini-LIM optimized for target thrust and, through iterative simulation and testing, aims to manufacture a fully functioning unit for integration on the minipod this year. Additionally, we will be building our own electromagnets and refining our implementation of a closed-loop control system. We are also focusing on improving our battery pack to include intake and outtake fans, allowing for the reduction of air vents in the shell, creating a more efficient design. To pair with the planned future maglev system, mechanical is also focusing on redesigning the chassis and improving the aeroshell for a more efficient design.

Business Team

The Business Team is responsible for supporting the team’s business-related initiatives. It is split into two subteams. The Development Operations (Dev. Ops.) subteam manages budgeting, event planning, procurement, sponsorship outreach, and fundraising. While the Marketing subteam maintains our team’s social media, internet presence, recruitment, website, and outreach events

This year, the Business Team is focusing on creating a larger following on social media and a greater internet presence. They are also proud to announce that this fall was one of our most successful recruitment cycles, getting almost 100 applications. Finally, they are continuing their efforts to gain sponsorship and reach out to companies to gain support for this year’s Hyperloop global competition. 

As a registered student organization, we are committed to equal access to all of our programs and do not discriminate based on any protected identity status.