We have seen and imagined flying automobiles in sci-fi movies and books. Many talented minds have made several attempts to overcome this impulsive futility. But the impossible now seems to be coming close to reality. If this happens, it could impact our entire lifestyle, specifically the way we travel.
A Chinese state news agency, Xinhua, reports that Chinese researchers at the Southwest Jiatong University in Chengdu, Sichuan province, conducted tests last week for the modified passenger cars using magnets to hover 35 millimeters above the conductor rail. In other words, researchers ran tests on an experimental vehicle that uses magnetic levitation (maglev) technology.
The researchers fixed powerful magnets at the bottom of eight sedans and tested the cars on an 8-km long rail. One of them made an exception and traveled at a speed of 230 km per hour.
A Chinese journalist shared a video in which the cars are seen occasionally levitating as they move over the conductor rail.
A #maglev vehicle technology test saw a 2.8-tonne car float 35 millimeters above the road and run on a highway in #Jiangsu, east China. A permanent magnet array was installed for levitation. pic.twitter.com/7vWc8TvJpn
— QinduoXu (@QinduoXu) September 12, 2022
As per Xinhua, the experiments were conducted by government transportation authorities to evaluate high-speed driving safety measures. Deng Zigang, a university professor working on this mechanical development, said that using magnetic levitation for the modified passenger cars may result in lower consumption of energy and cover a great range.
This might address ‘range anxiety’, an issue the electric vehicle industry face, which worries passengers regarding running out of power during the trip.
From the 1980s onwards, some commercial trains have functioned on magnetic levitation or ‘maglev’ that employs an electrified magnetic field to pull objects at high speeds. Today, Maglev trains are used in China, Japan, and South Korea.
Last year, China revealed a maglev train in Qingdao, Shandong province, commuting at a speed of 600 kilometers per hour.
