CMU School of Drama


Monday, February 13, 2017

That hyperloop from Pittsburgh to, say, Chicago? Probably closer than you think

theincline.com: Around 50 people are on CMU’s student-run team; the majority are engineers, more than a dozen are on the business side and others work on design.

“There were many challenges, which the whole team faced,” Chandrashekaraiah said. One was to “come up with the system, which will actually work on full-scale hyperloop.”

There are four key components of CMU’s pod: levitation, airframe, stability and braking. The airframe, for example, was created from carbon fibre and has an incredibly low aerodynamic drag, as the team explains on its site. The levitation system allows the pod to move at up to 220 mph “with the minimal resistance to its motion at all times.”

2 comments:

Katherine Sharpless said...

I learned so much and feel so honored to have worked a bit on this project for the past few weeks. I don't know where to begin, but one of the most amazing things was the collaboration that has gone into this project. The engineering, fine art, drama, business, and computer science schools were all involved. We all know CMU has some amazing science and technology programs, although we may forget it amidst our crew calls and studio mayhem, and it's important to pay attention to the innovations coming from our neighbors. The technology which may dominate how we visit our family members, go to work, schedule our days in the next couple decades is, in part, born in the building across the bridge. Another thing I learned this weekend was that we as artists and designers can contribute to these projects, although they can be intimidating. A feeling I get among my fellow students is that the technology around us is so out of reach and that we have no part in it. The gap between science and art need not be so small. We can visualize the possibilities of the future and help others see the same thing. Finally, the drama students who created the simulation which partnered the pod reveal have set a great example. They saw something they wanted to be a part of, they inquired, researched, met with faculty, and involved other students. I have learned so much watching their drive and am inspired to share my perspective outside of Purnell.

Unknown said...

I read this article on Facebook last week and here it is yet again! I think this article is amazingly articulate in not only describing the hyperloop project itself, but also the unique and creative individuals that worked on it. I have seen John Walker diligently working on this project in the hallway and I was constantly in awe of the amazing work being done by the workers to create a project for the future by the artist and engineers of the future, here at Carnegie Mellon. I am also very happy about the interdepartmental interactions between both the creative industries in CFA and the schools of technology within Carnegie Mellon. By combining the minds and insights of both groups a successful and beautiful product was created. I look forward to seeing the future of this product and all those involved. Who knows? In five years maybe I'll be riding a hyperloop designed by my very own classmates!