Jun 23, 2014
skyTran Inc. and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) entered into an agreement for the evaluation of a skyTran technology in the grounds of IAI's corporate campus.
skyTran is a high-speed, energy-efficient, transportation system, designed to transport passengers in a safe, green, and economical manner. The system is a network of computer-controlled, 2-person "jet-like" vehicles employing state-of-the-art passive Magnetic Levitation (MagLev) technology.
The evaluation will include testing, refinement, and validation of skyTran's technology in IAI's controlled environment and will provide a platform for skyTran vehicles to travel at high speeds with full payloads while levitating.
The evaluation and system development is expected by skyTran to be followed by deployment of the first commercial skyTran system in Tel Aviv, Israel and other projects worldwide.
Jerry Sanders, skyTran CEO and Yosef Melamed, Director of IAI's Lahav Division
Jerry Sanders, skyTran CEO said: "IAI's support is a breakthrough for skyTran. IAI, as a world-class designer of aircraft, avionics and advanced systems, is the perfect partner to take skyTran from concept to construct."
Yosef Melamed, Director of IAI's Lahav Division said: "We are proud to be part of this exciting moment in transportation history and to host the first SkyTran system in our grounds. The evaluation process will incorporate IAI's advanced capabilities in the areas of engineering, robotics and control."
In recent years, IAI has been investing in and developing an innovative line of commercial products, designed to provide advanced and unique solutions. Among its products is the revolutionary TaxiBot system - a semi-robotic tractor which reduces fuel consumption and pollution for civilian aircraft when taxiing to and from their takeoff and landing runways.
skyTran Vehicle
Image courtesy of: www.skytran.us
skyTran Vehicle
Image courtesy of: www.skytran.us
About skyTran
skyTran Inc., a NASA Space Act company is headquartered at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. skyTran is the developer of the patented high-speed, elevated, levitating, energy-efficient, skyTran transportation system. The skyTran system is a network of computer-controlled, 2-person "jet-like" vehicles employing state-of-the-art passive maglev technology. skyTran systems will transport passengers in a fast, safe, green, and economical manner. skyTran intends to revolutionize public transportation and, with it, urban and suburban commuting.
NASA uses Space Act Agreements as the primary means for partnering with the external community. skyTran is a good example of a partner greatly benefiting from such an arrangement by having access to a wide range of NASA technologies and capabilities and being able to combine NASA expertise, assets, and information with its own core competencies.
About Israel Aerospace Industries
Israel Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (IAI), is Israel's largest industrial exporter and a globally recognized leader for the defense and commercial markets. IAI provides unique and cost-effective technological solutions for a broad spectrum of needs in space, air, land, sea and homeland defense, including: maintenance and conversion of commercial aircraft, unmanned air and ground vehicles, radars, secure communications, AEW, EW, ELINT/ESM, SIGINT and COMINT/COMJAM, air-to-air refueling, upgrading of military aircraft and helicopters, Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missiles (ATBM), optronic payloads, navigation, smart weapons, missiles, commercial satellites and launchers, commercial and military robotics, mine detection, clearing and breaching systems and many other core technologies, products and services
