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SVTL meets in a historic setting
The general assembly of the Swiss Association for Temperature-Controlled Logistics at Lenzburg Castle on May 8th will address, in addition to the usual agenda items, personnel management, modern advertising for skilled workers on social media and the question of whether humanoid robots will one day be helpful .
MAGA in the approach path
German technology remains highly regarded when it comes to rapid material handling, the elimination of weaknesses, and service quality. Following successful projects in Oklahoma and Texas, the steel trader " Steel and Pipe Supply " (SPS) in Kansas City once again relied on Kasto saws and storage systems.
Rent warehouse equipment instead of buying it
Bito is launching an offensive with an economical alternative for companies that want to re-equip, expand, or temporarily supplement their warehouse and production areas, but don't want to tie up their capital long-term: renting instead of buying is the motto. The advantages – especially in " dynamic times " – are obvious.
«Kanpai» with sake on the pharmaceutical chain
Logistics provider Yusen is presenting an expanded global platform for the healthcare sector at LogiPharma in Vienna, where companies such as Novartis, Bayer, Takeda, and hospital supplier UCB are currently participating. The platform focuses on the professional delivery of specialized healthcare solutions.
Streamlined logistics
Coop's own rail connection for urban logistics in Zurich, streamlined logistics vehicles and the outsourcing of all operating room logistics in a cooperation between the Seeschau Clinic and the Swiss Post are the projects that are entering the final sprint for this year's Swiss Logistics Award from GS1.
Vacuum technology makes mobility possible
Compressed air has traditionally been used primarily for fixed installations. Schmalz's vacuum grippers also mainly operate with lines that often have to run across halls and facilities. However, mobile robotics increasingly requires flexible solutions – a need that Schmalz now intends to address more effectively.
A foray into drive technology
Safelog, the specialists for software for controlling intralogistics processes, have entered into a cooperation with the drive experts from SEW Eurodrive at LogiMAT in order to jointly develop a high-performance software for controlling mobile and stationary processes in intralogistics.
Networking with perspectives
“Never walk alone” could be the motto of a networking event hosted by the consulting experts from “Adnovum”, where the Digital Product Passport (DPP), cybersecurity and IT opportunities with Petra Merino (GS1 Switzerland) and security expert Andreas Achterholt are on the agenda on May 7th in Zurich.
Maintenance in Austria
With a new workshop in Obersiebenbrunn near Vienna, rail manufacturer Stadler is expanding its capacity for the commissioning, approval, and servicing of modern rail vehicles in Austria. The workshop has been used to maintain Westbahn's high-speed trains since March 2026.
Idealworks pushes into the US market
Idealworks, part of the Munich-based Agile Robots Group, with more than 1,700 AMRs and AGVs worldwide and one of the pioneers in industrial automation through AI in robot-controlled logistics processes, has founded a US company headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina.
Hyperloop capsule certified
Hyperloop capsule certified
At the Technical University of Munich, the first Hyperloop capsule – not for freight transport, but for the even more safety-critical passenger transport – has been certified on a 24-meter track. Now the researchers want to focus on the propulsion system, the levitation technology, and the vacuum behavior.
Numerous models have already been built – now the Technical University of Munich speaks of “ Europe’s first full-size Hyperloop test track ” .
The test segment at the Ottobrunn campus, with its relatively short 24-meter test tube, has gone into operation after less than a year of construction. In the future, people will be transported from point A to point B at speeds exceeding 800 kilometers per hour.
Founded in 2020 as a student initiative, the TUM Hyperloop research group has since been working on the new, low-emission and, above all, fast way of traveling.
Photos: TUM
The 24-meter-long test track, in the form of a concrete vacuum tube, a passenger capsule, and the subsystems necessary for operation are now ready for practical research. " The transition from model scale to real dimensions, and especially Europe's first passenger test under vacuum conditions, is an important milestone for scaling up the technology soon and realizing longer test segments " explains Gabriele Semino, project manager at TUM Hyperloop.
Researchers have already proven that the TUM Hyperloop test segment is fully functional during an initial test run. The maiden voyage with a passenger capsule took place on July 10th within the vacuum of the test tube. To enable operation with passengers, the demonstrator was certified for passenger use by TÜV Süd.
The TUM Hyperloop demonstrator consists of three elements. The most obvious part is the 24-meter-long concrete tube. It has a diameter of 4 meters and, in addition to a platform, houses components of the technology necessary for levitation and propulsion of the passenger capsule. The capsule has a fully equipped interior designed to provide a comfortable journey for up to five passengers. The passenger module is optimized for use in a vacuum. The third part of the system is the operations control center, which, besides controlling the demonstrator, also houses components such as the high-performance vacuum pumps. " With our system, we can specifically investigate the propulsion system, the levitation technology, the capsule's behavior in a vacuum, and safety aspects on a fully functional Hyperloop segment " says project manager Semino.
Passenger cabin with Prime Minister
Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder, speaking at the opening, said: " Great respect for this spirit! Young students have developed an inspiring idea into a powerful statement for engineering and the future " Bavaria is investing over five billion euros in research and technology as part of its high-tech agenda. In addition to the Hyperloop test track, "Europe's largest aerospace faculty " . Söder added: " The future is being made here. "
Bavaria's Science Minister Markus Blume emphasizes that the Hyperloop is based on a student initiative. " Today, the project is a unique research endeavor and part of the high-tech agenda. With a passion for the future and technology, young talents are turning science fiction into reality and setting real standards " The TUM Hyperloop team has – almost as an aside – not only built the test track but has also won Elon Musk's Hyperloop competition four times.
Since 2015, TUM has been working on the vision of making mobility sustainable and, above all, significantly faster than before. The initiative, initially a student project, was founded to participate in the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod competitions, launched by Elon Musk and his space company. The TUM team took first place in all four competitions. Encouraged by these successes, the student project evolved into the current TUM Hyperloop research group.
