Mazdaspeed Forums - Video: Airplane/train hybrid could replace high-speed trains [w/video]

Hovering Aero Train - Click above to watch video after the jump

A Japanese research team led by Yusuke Sugahara at Tohoku University has built a robotic prototype of a free-flying, ground-effects vehicle that floats within inches of the road. Called Aero Train, this ground-effects vehicle will be used to test an autonomous three-axis stabilization system.

Packing electric motors, the Aero Train hovers inches above the tarmac, eliminating any rolling resistance and allowing it to hit a top speed of 124 miles per hour. A U-shaped concrete channel controls air flow and provides the Aero Train's robotic controls with a makeshift road to follow. On-board computers control pitch, roll and yaw of the prototype.

In the future - get this - the developers envision the Aero Train traveling within a tunnel capped with solar panels that send juice directly to the vehicle's batteries. Hit the jump to catch video of the prototype Aero Train floating down the road.Continue reading Airplane/train hybrid could replace high-speed trains [w/video]

Airplane/train hybrid could replace high-speed trains [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 May 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at...wGPUSbI5s/0/di
http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at...wGPUSbI5s/1/di

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/webl...eU:wF9xT3WuBAs http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/webl...eU:V_sGLiPBpWU
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblo...~4/DNjRhuLb-r4

More...