Q&A: Piper Howell, Stellana Engineer, on the MIT Hyperloop II Pod Unveil
The Hyperloop pod competition was first
announced in 2015 by SpaceX. Student teams were challenged to design and build
the best functioning, innovative prototypes of high-speed pods. Since the
announcement in 2015, three competitions have taken place in January 2017,
August 2017, and July 2018. Over the course of the competitions, Stellana has gained
recognition by demonstrating success through their wheels and tires. This year
we are working with a couple of groups, one of which is MIT Hyperloop II. Piper
Howell, Stellana Engineer, has worked closely with this team and was able to
attend the pod unveil May 22. We have put together a brief Q&A to provide
some insight into the competition and the future of this alternative
transportation.
How did Stellana begin
working with MIT Hyperloop II?
The lead of MIT’s team, Vik Parthiban, had
participated in a prior competition as an undergraduate student in Texas. After
beginning graduate school at MIT, he took on the role as their team captain for
the 2019 competition. In previous years, different teams had sourced Stellana
wheels – one of which Vik had participated on. Remembering our interest in
disruptive transportation technology and our ability to make quality samples,
he approached us to supply the wheels for their prototype.
First, MIT shared their design intent with us,
and then we guided through them our design and engineering process and material
selection. In the initial stages, we worked to understand each other’s
capabilities and constraints.
How are the teams
narrowed down to participate in the competition?
The competition is limited to students and teams
of both undergraduate and graduate students form to participate at universities
globally. Established teams must first submit a design package and are then
selected to advance based on their design’s safety, feasibility, and prior
results, if applicable. Out of all the submissions, 20 teams are picked to
construct fully functioning prototypes. Out of those 20 teams, only three
finalists are chosen to run their prototypes on the track in Hawthorne, CA.
What preparation goes
into having a functioning prototype for the competition?
Before construction begins, there are a series
of design submissions made to the judging panel. Teams must first secure
sponsors who are willing to donate time and resources. They then complete a
design intent to qualify for the competition. If the team advances to the next
round, they can begin building the prototype.
This specific group first approached us in November
of 2018. Their design intent was completed in January 2018, we delivered the
finished wheels to them in May 2019, and the finished prototype was unveiled
later that month.
What role do the
Stellana products play in the function of the pod? How do these parts
contribute to the
overall success of their design?
Our products provide three different functions.
The first is the drive wheel, which is part of the propulsion subsystem
responsible for the acceleration. The others are stability and clamping wheels
which ensure the pod stays on the track. Our wheels are most critical for the
acceleration and braking functions of the pod. Pods are judged solely on the
maximum speed achieved with successful deceleration (i.e., without crashing),
so these are two crucial functions of the prototype.
![]() |
Stellana drive wheel on the exposed pod |
Were there any hurdles
along the way?
The MIT Hyperloop team was very thorough in
their design approach. For us, the challenge was selecting one material to work
for all three of the different wheel applications and identifying the best
process to use while maintaining the quality we are known to deliver.
How has MIT tried to
differentiate themselves as a competitor this year? Was there anything that
surprised you about their prototype?
MIT is taking the path less traveled by using
air levitation as opposed to the well-proven method of magnetic levitation.
They are trying to collect data on and validate the feasibility of air bearings
at high speeds. I think it is a testament to their skill that they could not
only pull it off in their functioning prototype but also use it for their
research process.
Having been a part of
prior competitions, what are some of the differences you are noticing
in this year’s pods
compared to past years?
This is the most detailed view we’ve had in our
collaborations, so it is hard to compare. Deciding to use air for levitation is
a fascinating approach, and we look forward to seeing how they do.
How will this
competition get the Hyperloop team closer to their end goal of bringing us a
new form of transportation? Have you received any insight on when we may be
able to travel by Hyperloop?
I think each of these competitions generates
critical data to help bring the next iteration closer to the goal of widespread
Hyperloop infrastructure. I would be surprised if Hyperloop infrastructure
exists in our lifetime, but who knows what technology will come as a result of this
competition.
Do you think we will
find Stellana wheels on the functioning pods one day?
It is very possible! I think there are
challenges and research to be conducted to get there, but by participating in
these events, we hope to gain valuable data to allow Stellana to continue to
innovate.
Thank you, Piper, for sharing your experience
and good luck MIT Hyperloop II!
![]() |
Vik Parthiban presenting MIT Hyperloop II's sponsors |
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