From: mk_thisisit
Poland is pioneering a unique levitating railway system called LewMo, which aims to revolutionize rail transport by integrating with existing railway infrastructure [01:10:10]. This technology, developed by the Newmo company, is described as the world’s first and is patented for its integration method [00:08:08]. The system provides new possibilities for drive and suspension, offering tangible benefits in operational speed, automation, and cost-effectiveness compared to current alternatives like high-speed rail [01:40:40].
The LewMo System: A Polish Innovation
The LewMo system functions as an overlay on the existing railway system [01:31:31].
How it Works
The train literally floats a few centimeters above the tracks by creating a magnetic cushion [02:22:22]. This is achieved through passive levitation technology [02:45:45], using a system of permanent magnets installed on the vehicle [03:21:21]. These magnets move over a “levitation beam” or “levitation table,” which is an additional structural element added to the track infrastructure, consisting of aluminum plates [03:27:27]. The vertical levitation force is a side effect of the vehicle’s movement over this infrastructure [03:10:10]. A linear drive is also a key component of the system [04:43:43].
Key Advantages
- Cost-Effective Implementation: The system adapts to existing railway infrastructure, eliminating the need to invest in new rails or sleepers, provided the existing infrastructure allows for modernization [04:49:49]. This significantly reduces costs compared to building entirely new high-speed lines [02:03:03].
- High Speed: The target speed for the LewMo train is up to 550 km/h [00:29:29]. While this speed is achievable on straight lines and very long curves, it is unrealistic on tight curves [13:38:38]. However, the system is able to increase speed in curves by up to 40% [13:54:54]. A journey from Krakow to Gdańsk, approximately 700 km, could take just over an hour to an hour and a half [14:01:01].
- Safety: Safety at high speeds is ensured through infrastructural separation from the rest of the network, similar to high-speed lines that start and end at stations [05:51:51]. This prevents single-level road-railway intersections and access by outsiders or wild animals [06:14:14]. The system is designed to be absolutely safe, potentially even safer than current railways due to full automation and exclusion of the human factor [41:04:04].
- Passenger Comfort: Railway regulations dictate specific guidelines for passenger comfort regarding acceleration [14:28:28]. While trains traditionally don’t move very fast due to discomfort, LewMo can improve performance while maintaining comfort [14:57:57]. Dedicated trains can incorporate features like deep seats, side support, and seat belts, similar to airplanes during take-off, to handle greater acceleration [15:04:04].
- Environmental Benefits: Traveling by train is presented as a greener option, better for the planet, and can be competitive with air travel in terms of door-to-door travel time [23:26:26].
- Direct City-to-City Travel: Unlike airports, which are often located far from city centers, rail stations are typically integrated, reducing overall travel time and cost for passengers [24:39:39].
Current Status and Future Plans
Newmo has created a prototype and has a 720-meter functional test track in Nowa Sarzyna, Podkarpacie region [08:11:11]. The project has received 16.5 million zlotys in funding from NCBIR [18:24:24].
For passenger transport, the goal is to see a real train with passengers by 2030 [20:50:50]. However, pilot projects with passengers could be ready around 2028 [21:55:55]. The main challenge for implementation is overcoming regulatory hurdles in the overregulated railway sector, where authorization processes can take 5-10 years [21:26:26].
For freight transport, the situation is different and potentially faster [28:11:11]. Newmo has developed a product called “Il Buster,” which uses a linear drive mounted in the middle of the infrastructure to automatically transport freight wagons without a locomotive. This system is not levitating but significantly increases throughput and profitability for freight [28:33:33].
Origin and Comparison with Hyperloop and Maglev systems
The idea for LewMo originated from the Hyperloop concept [09:34:34]. A small student team participated in Elon Musk’s Hyperloop competition, achieving a top 10 result among hundreds of participants [10:26:26].
Addressing Hyperloop and Maglev Challenges
The team realized that Hyperloop and Maglev systems, while functionally similar (minus the vacuum tube for Maglev), face two main problems:
- High Costs: They require rebuilding entire countries and are comparable in cost to the aviation sector [10:55:55]. For example, revolutionizing the Krakow-Gdańsk route with LewMo technology would cost around 500 million euros, while a Shinkansen system could cost tens of billions of euros [29:37:37].
- Separation from Existing Infrastructure: These systems are completely separated, meaning passengers lose time benefits getting to isolated stations or airports [11:18:18].
LewMo’s solution leverages elements of Hyperloop technology but implements them on existing railway infrastructure [12:10:10]. This approach benefits from existing transport corridors, avoiding land acquisition issues, and connects directly to city centers [12:22:22].
Challenges and Opportunities in Europe
Regulatory Hurdles and Public Perception
Despite its potential, the company faces significant challenges, particularly the “regulation wall” in the railway sector [21:30:30]. This overregulation, driven by a focus on safety and security, slows down the adoption of innovative technologies [21:11:11]. For example, approving a new type of railway sleeper can take years, even for minor changes [22:11:11].
Funding and public perception in Poland have also been difficult, with accusations of scams or misuse of funds [18:38:38]. This “price of Polish technical duds” makes it challenging to acquire early-stage funds for deep tech [19:58:58]. In contrast, the response to LewMo technology in Western Europe has been much better, with collaborations with three largest infrastructure managers in Europe, but not yet with Polish PKP PLK [26:41:41].
Competitive Landscape and Global Ambition
LewMo positions itself as a “European answer to this Chinese attack” in the railway sector [16:12:12]. It possesses a unique technology that the Chinese currently lack, which allows Maglev-derivative systems to be applied within Europe’s dense and highly regulated railway network [16:32:32]. While China can build high-speed Maglevs in new areas, Europe’s challenge is to integrate new technologies into existing, complex systems [17:06:06].
The company aims to be a “European chance for the revitalization of transport” [41:24:24]. Poland is becoming a key transport hub to the east and south-east, and its geopolitical importance is growing, which could attract more investment into its transport infrastructure [34:42:42]. Initiatives like CPK (Central Communication Port) and Rail Baltica are seen as significant support for this transformation [34:19:19].
The Team
The Newmo team originated from a student group that participated in the Hyperloop competition [31:35:35]. It has since grown to about 60 people, comprising a strong core of engineers, predominantly Polish, with additional members in Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands [32:05:05]. The team is bolstered by experts with extensive experience in the railway sector, including an advisor who managed the construction of the Transrapid in Shanghai [32:45:45].
The Path Forward
To accelerate the adoption of such technologies, there needs to be greater openness to innovation, especially in Europe, to remain competitive with East Asian advancements [39:18:18]. The company emphasizes that its advantage lies in the quality and pace of its product development [39:43:43].
While national bans on short-distance flights are not supported, encouraging conscious choices towards greener transport like trains through education and competitive pricing is crucial [23:00:00]. The railway sector can provide increased capacity needed for economic development and is actively pursuing greener solutions, such as hydrogen locomotives [37:51:51].
The ultimate goal is to integrate the levitating system with conventional rail, providing a seamless and beneficial experience for passengers [38:26:26].