Airplane/train hybrid could replace high-speed trains [w/video]
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/" rel="tag">Etc.</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/japan/" rel="tag">Japan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/13/airplane-train-hybrid-could-replace-high-speed-trains-w-video/#continued"><img alt="Japanese flying train concept" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/flying-train-japan.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; margin: 4px 0px;" /></a>
<div class="iphone_hide" style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10px; font-style: italic;">
Hovering Aero Train - Click above to watch video <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/13/airplane-train-hybrid-could-replace-high-speed-trains-w-video/#continued">after the jump</a><br />
</div>
A Japanese research team led by Yusuke Sugahara at Tohoku University has built a robotic prototype of a free-flying, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_effect_vehicle">gr ound-effects vehicle</a> 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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/13/airplane-train-hybrid-could-replace-high-speed-trains-w-video/#continued">Hit the jump</a> to catch video of the prototype Aero Train floating down the road.<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/13/airplane-train-hybrid-could-replace-high-speed-trains-w-video/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Airplane/train hybrid could replace high-speed trains [w/video]</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/13/airplane-train-hybrid-could-replace-high-speed-trains-w-video/">Airplane/train hybrid could replace high-speed trains [w/video]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Fri, 13 May 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/13/airplane-train-hybrid-could-replace-high-speed-trains-w-video/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19940149/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/13/airplane-train-hybrid-could-replace-high-speed-trains-w-video/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

أكثر...