CHENNAI, 21st February 2025: As many as Ten Hyperloop teams, comprising 200 students of newly-founded and experienced teams, are competing in the Global Hyperloop Competition (GHC) 2025 being organized by Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).
Additionally, the event will host 150 industry delegates from across the world, representing the mobility, research, and hyperloop sectors.
It is Asia’s first international Hyperloop competition and is being held from 21st to 25th at ‘Discovery,’ IIT Madras’ Satellite Campus located in Thaiyur, about 36 km from the main campus. GHC 2025 is set to position India at the heart of hyperloop innovation. It is aimed at uniting global talent, industry leaders, and researchers, fostering collaboration, innovation, and real-world implementation of hyperloop technology.
Hyperloop is the 5th mode of transportation, a high-speed train that travels in a near-vacuum tube. The reduced air resistance allows the capsule inside the tube to reach speeds of more than 1000 km/h. Mr. Elon Musk, who heads SpaceX and Tesla, proposed the idea of Hyperloop to the world in 2013 through a whitepaper – ‘Hyperloop Alpha.’
Addressing the inaugural event, Chief Guest Pankaj Sharma,Principal Executive Director, Railway Board, said,“This event is not only a celebration of innovation but also a testament of how India is emerging as a leader in transportation technology.”
The competition is being conducted by IIT Madras, IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation and SAE India, with additional support from the Ministry of Railways, Government of India.
Welcoming the participants, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “Days are not far off when our country will realise very fast hyperloop connectivity between important destinations across our nation.”
A key objective of the event is to showcase and propagate hyperloop concepts worldwide, fostering a transformative spirit among young minds in the field of transportation. The competition will be held at IIT Madras’ unique Hyperloop test infrastructure, a state-of-the-art facility built with the support of Indian Railways, ArcelorMittal, L&T and HindalCo.
Further, Prof. Satya Chakravarthy, Faculty Advisor, Hyperloop IIT Madras, said,“The Global Hyperloop Competition 2025 is a testament to India's growing leadership in hyperloop innovation. By bringing together young innovators, industry leaders, and researchers, we are fostering a collaborative ecosystem that will accelerate the future of ultra-fast, sustainable mobility. IIT Madras is proud to be at the center of this transformation.”
IIT Madras has been at the forefront of hyperloop research for the past seven years, significantly contributing to the field. The institute boasts the longest operational student-run hyperloop test tube and track, spanning 422 meters at the Discovery Campus. This achievement underscores India’s growing influence in the hyperloop ecosystem and sets the stage for GHC 2025.
Mr. Pranav Singhal, Student Head (Hyperloop), IIT Madras, said,“This competition is more than just a platform to showcase technological prowess; it is an opportunity for students to challenge the limits of innovation and collaborate with some of the best minds in the world. GHC 2025 represents the future of transportation, and we are excited to be at the heart of this transformation.”
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. AravindBharadwaj, Co-Founder & CTO, TuTrHyperloop, said, “Congratulations to GHC team, fantastic job! Very happy to see a full house over here and how much you guys have worked over the last one year. This is just the beginning of our journey. ”
GHC 2025 will feature three primary competition categories:
- Pod Demonstration – Showcasing functional hyperloop pod prototypes.
- HyperloopInnoQuest – A case study challenge exploring hyperloop technology and implementation.
- DesignX – A platform for teams to present innovative hyperloop designs.
GHC 2025 is backed by leading industry players who are shaping the future of hyperloop technology:
- Indian Railways – Supporting India’s vision for next-generation transportation.
- ArcelorMittal – Contributing to the development of hyperloop tubes.
- Ansys – Providing advanced simulation tools for hyperloop design.
- SAE India – Facilitating technological advancements in the hyperloop sphere.
- IITM Pravartak – Supporting hyperloop innovation and entrepreneurship.
Additionally, Autodesk will conduct an exclusive workshop during the competition, providing participants with hands-on experience in cutting-edge design and simulation tools.
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