TUM Boring, the student team from the Technical University of Munich, won the “Not-A-Boring Competition” for the second consecutive time. Their tunnel boring machine boasted a maximum boring speed of 7mm/s (25m/h) and an average speed of 3.1mm/s (11m/h), over 14 times faster than conventional machines.
The team adopted a new tactic, starting horizontally on the surface and swinging the bore head to dig underground, resulting in a 12-meter curved tunnel. The competition is related to Hyperloop systems development, requiring advanced tunnel-building skills for underground vacuum tubes. TUM’s consistent victories in past Hyperloop competitions have led to the TUM Hyperloop research project.
Not-A-Boring Competition and Hyperloop Development
The Not-A-Boring Competition, organized by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company, aims to increase tunneling speed and reduce tunneling costs, enabling fast, safe, and comfortable transportation, including Loop and Hyperloop [1]. The competition serves as a platform for innovation, allowing student teams to develop pioneering techniques and technologies that can directly contribute to developing the Hyperloop system.
Collaborations between the competition’s finalists and Hyperloop development projects are evident, with TUM Hyperloop working closely with initiatives such as TUM Boring and Hardt Hyperloop [2]. By fostering a collaborative environment, the competition encourages the development of groundbreaking technologies that can be integrated into the Hyperloop system.
Technological Advancements from the Competition
One notable innovation from TUM Boring’s victory in the 2023 Not-A-Boring Competition is their new starting tactic. Rather than excavating an initial pit, the team began horizontally on the surface, swinging the bore head to dig underground [1]. This approach enabled them to bore a curved 12-meter tunnel, addressing a complex problem with a simple solution. Such advancements in boring technology could significantly impact the construction of underground vacuum tubes required for Hyperloop systems.
Other participating teams have also been recognized for their innovations in the competition. In the 2021 edition, Swissloop Tunneling received the Innovation and Design award, while The Diggeridoos won the Fastest Launch Design award [1]. These achievements showcase the variety of technological advancements and innovations that the Not-A-Boring Competition brings forth, which could be integrated into developing the Hyperloop system.
Impact on Hyperloop Development
TUM Hyperloop is engineering ultra-fast, emission-free connections between mobility hubs to redefine future mobility [2]. They are developing Europe’s first passenger-sized Hyperloop demonstrator, proving key technologies’ working principles and assessing the impact of the technology on future mobility.
TUM Hyperloop and other student teams are driving the development of ultra-high-speed ground transportation technologies by participating and excelling in international competitions such as the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition and the Not-A-Boring Competition.
sources:
[1] The Boring Company
[2] TUM Hyperloop
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