What TUM Hyperloop does

TUM Hyperloop is a university research and development program operating under the legal entity NEXT Prototypes e.V., a registered German association (Vereinsregister VR 208020, Amtsgericht München) housed at the Technical University of Munich in Garching bei München, with engineering operations at a demonstrator facility in Ottobrunn. Founded in 2015 as a student initiative to compete in the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition, the program has grown to 51-100 personnel and now operates as a full-scale hyperloop technology development effort.

The program's core technology centers on ultra-high-speed ground transportation using partial vacuum tubes (10 millibar pressure achieved) with contactless magnetic levitation and linear motor propulsion. Its flagship asset is the TUM Hyperloop Demonstrator — a 24-meter-long, 4-meter-wide concrete vacuum tube paired with a passenger-size pod vehicle consisting of a Passenger Module (cabin accommodating up to five passengers, reconfigurable for cargo) and a Service Module (housing levitation, guidance, propulsion, and electronics). The demonstrator was certified by TÜV SÜD in July 2023 as Europe's first hyperloop test segment approved for passenger operations, with a passenger run executed on July 10, 2023. The program won all four SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competitions between 2016 and 2019, with Pod IV setting a world record speed of 482 km/h in July 2019. Subsequent technical development includes Research Pod IV featuring electromagnetic levitation capable of sustaining flight for over 20 minutes on battery power and a self-developed linear motor.

Commercially, TUM Hyperloop is pre-revenue and operates without product sales. The organization is funded primarily through Bavarian state government grants via the Hightech Agenda, with the program functioning as a research and demonstration platform rather than a commercial entity. Its go-to-market motion is event-driven: demonstrating capability through SpaceX competitions (2016–2019), regulatory certification milestones (TÜV SÜD, July 2023), and demonstration events for government officials including Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder. The stated next phase is the Hyperloop Accelerator, a planned approximately 1-kilometer test track intended to bring the technology toward operational readiness; this remains in planning state.

Name

TUM Hyperloop

Legal name

NEXT Prototypes e.V.

Website

https://tumhyperloop.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

TUM Hyperloop is a Technical University of Munich research program developing ultra-high-speed magnetic-levitation ground transportation in partial vacuum tubes. Operating as non-profit NEXT Prototypes e.V., it holds the hyperloop world record (482 km/h) and Europe's first passenger-certified test segment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Garching Bei München

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research and Development Funding: TUM Hyperloop operates as a university research program funded primarily by government grants, particularly from the Bavarian state government's Hightech Agenda. No commercial revenue generation as the technology is still in development and certification phase.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

TUM Hyperloop develops ultra-high-speed ground transportation technology based on the hyperloop concept of partial vacuum tubes with contactless magnetic levitation and propulsion. The program's current core offering is the TUM Hyperloop Demonstrator — Europe's first hyperloop test segment certified for passenger operations by TÜV SÜD — comprising a 24-meter concrete vacuum tube, a passenger-size pod (Passenger Module + Service Module), and an Operation Control Station. Supporting offerings include the Hyperloop Hub urban mobility station concept and competition/research pod prototypes developed between 2015 and 2020.

Product overview

TUM Hyperloop is a research and development program developing ultra-fast ground transportation technology. The core offering is the TUM Hyperloop Demonstrator, Europe's first hyperloop segment certified for passenger operations, which includes the Passenger Module (vehicle), Service Module (levitation/propulsion systems), Vacuum Tube (24m concrete tube), and Operation Control Station. Supporting products include the Hyperloop Hub (mobility station concept) and the Hyperloop Accelerator (next-generation test track). Competition prototypes (Pod I-IV) and research pods (Research Pod III and IV) represent historical development milestones, with Pod IV holding the world record at 482 km/h. The demonstrator's Passenger Module features a modular cabin interior accommodating up to 5 passengers, scalable for larger configurations or cargo use. Together, these components form an integrated hyperloop transportation system being developed toward commercial market readiness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TUM Hyperloop Demonstrator Europe's first hyperloop test segment in passenger size, certified for passenger operations. Includes a 24-meter concrete vacuum tube and passenger-size pod vehicle, serving as the first segment to evaluate and prove the working principle of all key technologies required for making hyperloop market-ready.
• Passenger Module First-of-its-kind passenger vehicle developed for use in partial vacuum, capable of safely transporting passengers under normal hyperloop conditions. Uses modern ultra-light materials for energy efficiency and safety, with an exterior designed for aerodynamics.
• Cabin Interior First passenger module with integrated cabin interior accommodating up to five passengers, featuring a reimagined interior and interface design and a modular platform scalable for more passengers or cargo transportation.
• Service Module Technological heart of the hyperloop pod vehicle, located underneath the Passenger Module. Houses levitation, guidance, propulsion and electronics systems enabling the pod to hover and move precisely within the guideway without physical contact.
• Vacuum Tube 24-meter-long and 4-meter-wide concrete structure designed to maintain a vacuum within a large volume. Serves as a test environment for hyperloop operations and integrates the guideway housing all track elements required for contactless pod movement.
• Operation Control Station Central hub overseeing and managing all components of the demonstrator system. Gathers information, makes decisions, and issues commands, with instant access to real-time sensor data and isolated units housing power supply and high-performance vacuum pumps.
• Hyperloop Hub Mobility hub concept for optimal urban integration, with modular design fitting into existing cityscapes and tying into existing infrastructure. Reduces functional infrastructure footprint and creates additional living space with green park and recreation elements.
• Pod IV Competition Prototype Winning prototype from the final SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition holding the world record at 482 km/h. Featured custom battery cells, improved power electronics, custom braking system with higher pressures, and an all-titanium design with reinforced carbon fiber chassis.
• Pod III Competition Prototype Winning prototype from the July 2018 SpaceX competition reaching 467 km/h, featuring distributed propulsion with eight lightweight high-power ironless motors, optimized carbon fiber chassis, and custom pneumatic braking system achieving a five-fold improvement in power-to-weight ratio.
• Pod II Competition Prototype Prototype from the 2017 competition with a mass of only 85 kg and the first onboard propulsion system providing 0.9 g of acceleration, reaching 324 km/h and setting a new competition record with a radical lightweight design.
• Pod I Competition Prototype First pod prototype from the Munich team, built with scalability in mind. Featured a built-in compressor inspired by Elon Musk's white paper, modular aluminium chassis, and redundant braking system, reaching 94 km/h at the SpaceX competition.
• Research Pod IV Small-scale research prototype testing key systems for full-scale development. Featured the first concrete vacuum tube, electromagnetic levitation system allowing levitation for more than 20 minutes on battery power, and a self-developed linear motor for contactless propulsion, on a track featuring curves.
• Research Pod III

Quantifiable outcome

• Munich to Frankfurt in 26 minutes (vs 3hr 30min car, 3hr 20min train, 4hr 10min plane)
• +4 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• TÜV SÜDcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023TÜV SÜD certified the TUM Hyperloop demonstrator as the first hyperloop test segment for passenger operations in Europe. The certification was based on corresponding standards for machine safety as well as the world's first guideline for hyperloop systems, defining essential safety requirements for planning, construction and operation.
• Technical University of Munich (TUM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTUM Hyperloop is a research and development program based at the Technical University of Munich. The program grew from a student initiative and benefits from university resources, facilities, and academic expertise in developing hyperloop technology.
• NEXT Prototypes e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEXT Prototypes e.V. is the registered legal entity (Vereinsregister VR 208020, Amtsgericht München) operating TUM Hyperloop. The organization is led by a board including Sebastian Rink, Lucas Lindner, Matthias Gritsch, Alexander Palatnik, and Alexandru Raicu.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tumhyperloop
• Instagraminstagram.com/tumhyperloop
• Xx.com/TUM_Hyperloop
• Facebookfacebook.com/TUMHyperloop

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about TUM Hyperloop