Plane-train concept the future of travel? Picture: Tohoku University
The concept uses fast-moving air and its wings to levitate. Picture: Tohoku University
A NEW robotic plane-train that floats on a cushion of air is set to transform
the way we travel, according to researchers. A scale model of the futuristic
vehicle has been unveiled at the International Conference on Robotics and
Automation in Shanghai, China.
the way we travel, according to researchers. A scale model of the futuristic
vehicle has been unveiled at the International Conference on Robotics and
Automation in Shanghai, China.
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It is essentially a plane - with wings, propellers and a tail - that can
levitate just centimetres above the ground - essentially a hovercraft.
However the twist is that it's planned to be put into use as a train.
levitate just centimetres above the ground - essentially a hovercraft.
However the twist is that it's planned to be put into use as a train.
The concept uses fast-moving air and its stubby wings to levitate
and will be capable of reaching speeds of up to 200kmh.
and will be capable of reaching speeds of up to 200kmh.
It will be challenging to operate as it will have to be controlled
more like a plane than a train, meaning researchers have to deal
with pitch, roll and yaw (rotation) as well as the throttle.
more like a plane than a train, meaning researchers have to deal
with pitch, roll and yaw (rotation) as well as the throttle.
High-speeds trains are hugely popular in Asia but researchers
- led by Tohoku University assistant professor Yusuke Sugahara
– have taken a new approach with this concept.
- led by Tohoku University assistant professor Yusuke Sugahara
– have taken a new approach with this concept.
While it will not be as fast as some high-speed trains already
in operation, such as Shanghai's 581kmh Maglev train or
Japan's 300kmh "Hayabusa" bullet train, it promises better efficiency.
in operation, such as Shanghai's 581kmh Maglev train or
Japan's 300kmh "Hayabusa" bullet train, it promises better efficiency.
Instead of fighting the ground-effect principle - the aerodynamic
drag effect a plane may experience while flying close to the ground –
it embraces it by using the fast-moving air underneath for propulsion,
such as the famous Russian Ekranoplan did.
drag effect a plane may experience while flying close to the ground –
it embraces it by using the fast-moving air underneath for propulsion,
such as the famous Russian Ekranoplan did.
While there are already trains that can move without the friction that
leads to lost energy, they are not as efficient as this prototype will be.
This is because the trains, such as the Maglev, use electromagnets to
levitate above the track, which minimise friction but still slow them
down due to the drag between the train and track.
leads to lost energy, they are not as efficient as this prototype will be.
This is because the trains, such as the Maglev, use electromagnets to
levitate above the track, which minimise friction but still slow them
down due to the drag between the train and track.
Still very much a work in progress, footage of the model shows it
wobbling down a runway when it reaches high speeds, however
researchers are planning on building a larger, manned prototype.
wobbling down a runway when it reaches high speeds, however
researchers are planning on building a larger, manned prototype.
A question that has not been answered is how passengers will be
able to board the plane-train.
able to board the plane-train.
While still in development stages, Tohuko University hopes the
same design will be used to build a real commuter train called
the Aero Train (pictures above) that will travel in a
"U-shaped concrete channel".
same design will be used to build a real commuter train called
the Aero Train (pictures above) that will travel in a
"U-shaped concrete channel".
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