Speed
500 km/h
An average speed that rivals air travel
High-speed shuttles that connect cities in minutes.
Autonomous air-cushion transport · A ZEE group company
An answer to transportation problematics
Aerotrain is a collection of innovative technological solutions: an autonomous shuttle that glides on air cushions over a light monorail, driven by linear induction motors and powered by hydrogen.
© Protected design
500km/h
Average speed
0emission
Zero emission system
600km
Hydrogen autonomy
Yes
Autonomous system
Strategic priorities
Three priorities shape every design choice
Environmental impact
0 emission
A zero emission transportation system
Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity, water and heat. Batteries recover kinetic energy when braking.
Cost
8 M€ / km
A viable business model
A passive monorail built from concrete and metal keeps infrastructure and maintenance costs low.
A new transportation technology
Six systems, one shuttle
Each system is developed and tested in French laboratories, then integrated in the vehicle. Technology readiness levels follow the program's assessment.
Air cushions
Controlled air leakage forms a thin layer that removes every contact between vehicle and track. Lift pumps feed a cavity contained by elastic lips. A CFD analysis validated the design.
30 kW combined
TRL 7of 9
Induction linear motors
A primary fixed to the rolling stock and a secondary of ferromagnetic plates on the monorail produce a sliding magnetic wave and a motive thrust. Tested on a 40 meter track in the laboratory.
Powered by batteries and own fuel cells
TRL 6of 9
Hydrogen fuel cells
A new generation of cells, with optimized bipolar plates for better performance, longer autonomy and a lighter size. Developed with two PhDs in the energy laboratory.
H₂ + O₂ → electricity, water, heat
TRL 6of 9
Hydrogen storage
An improved storage solution for a longer vehicle autonomy.
Autonomy about 600 km
On-board batteries
Batteries matter during acceleration and braking, through the recovery of kinetic energy.
Aerobridge™ software
Autonomous driving software that lets the shuttle evolve in complete safety. Every decision is checked in real time by NEUTRINO.
Verified by NEUTRINO
Safety in the loop
NEUTRINO watches every decision the shuttle takes
NEUTRINO is the ZEE group's sovereign hybrid quantum and classical artificial intelligence (French patent application FR 2601296). In Aerotrain it runs alongside the Aerobridge™ driving software as an independent supervisor: it verifies each command before execution, cross-checks the sensors, and can force a safe stop.
- SenseLidar, cameras, air cushion pressure, motor and track sensors feed both systems.
- DecideAerobridge™ computes speed, braking and spacing between shuttles.
- VerifyNEUTRINO checks each command against the safety envelope and the sensor consensus.
- Act or stopValidated commands reach the linear motors. Any doubt triggers a controlled stop on cushions.
Infrastructure
An inverted T monorail at 8 million € per kilometre
The monorail is a passive infrastructure whose role is to guide the shuttle. It is mainly built of concrete and metal parts, which makes it robust and economical. Because there is no abrasion between shuttle and track, maintenance is light. Built on the ground the cost drops further; the aerial version integrates more easily into urban areas.
Cost comparison, million € per km
Track readiness: TRL 9 · Study site: Paris
Timeline of the project
From feasibility studies to prototype testing
- 2017
Birth of the project. Launch of feasibility studies and 3D simulations.
- 2018
Recruitment of a team of 15 engineers and doctors. Opening of the mechanical laboratory.
- 2019
Project presented at the VivaTech exhibition. Prototype presented at the Paris Air Show.
- 2020
Tests of the air cushion system. Opening of the fuel cell energy laboratory.
- 2021
Search for a test track for the prototype.
- 2022
Prototype testing.
- 2026
Société du Nouvel Aérotrain takes over the project. NEUTRINO joins the autonomy loop.
One technology, four applications
From the capsule to the container
Aerotrain
The intercity shuttle: autonomous, high-speed, electric and emission-free.
| Average speed | 500 km/h |
|---|---|
| Autonomy | 600 km |
| Propulsion | Induction linear motors |
| Sustentation | Air cushions |
| Energy | Hydrogen fuel cells, batteries |
Aerotram
The Aerotrain technology adapted to tramway systems, tailored to the limited budgets of communities of municipalities.
| Maximum / average speed | 120 / 60 km/h |
|---|---|
| Passengers | 180 |
| Length | 30 to 50 m |
| Autonomy | 600 km |
| Shuttle cost | 8 million € |
| Cost per kilometre | 2.5 million € |
| Energy · Track | Lithium battery · ground or aerial monorail |
Aeropod
A lighter public transportation for airport terminals, industrial sites and university campuses. Light infrastructure that can be set up for a temporary event.
| Maximum / average speed | 100 / 50 km/h |
|---|---|
| Passengers | 6 |
| Weight | 3 tons |
| Autonomy | 300 km |
| Shuttle cost | 650,000 € |
| Cost per kilometre | 1 million € |
| Routes · Track | Urban or closed circuit · ground monorail |
Aerodock
A range of container vehicles for harbor and road infrastructures. Air-cushion lift, linear motors and a hybrid system of hydrogen fuel cells, batteries and ultra-capacitors, to meet decarbonization goals. One freight train represents 50 trucks off the road.
Modules of 2 pods or 5 pods
Aeropod runs on lithium batteries with low energy consumption, and air-cushioned lift reduces friction between components and noise pollution.
Gallery
The line in its landscape
Renderings of the Aerotrain shuttles on their elevated monorail, from farmland to coastal dikes. Select an image to enlarge it.
An opportunity for the Qatar development
Every major city within 15 minutes of Doha
The Qatar program could be the first autonomous, high-speed, electric and emission-free public transport system. It could serve the industrial region of Ras Laffan and Al Khor like a high-speed metro, open up Dukhan, Madinat Al Shamal and Umm Said, and decentralize urbanization with activity poles less than 30 minutes from Doha.
Al Khor to Doha51 km6 min
Doha to Umm Said44 km5 min
Doha, Al Rayyan, Dukhan82 km9 min
Madinat Ash Shamal to Dukhan127 km15 min
Worldwide opportunities
Twelve corridors where Aerotrain fits
Potential projects identified by SNA for each model of the range. Select a point to see the corridor.
Intellectual property
Patents and protected design
Several patents cover the improvement of previous air cushion solutions, safety systems and energy efficiency techniques. The design of the Aerotrain shuttles is a protected work of Société du Nouvel Aérotrain: any reproduction or imitation of its shapes without authorization is prohibited.
FR 3 092 543 · A1
Fluid cushion vehicle with separate suspension and sustentation chambers
- Filed
- 12 Feb 2019
- Published
- 14 Aug 2020
- Office
- INPI, France
FR 3 099 449 · A1
Fluid regulation device for at least one fluid cushion of a fluid-cushion vehicle
- Filed
- 29 Jul 2019
- Published
- 5 Feb 2021
- Office
- INPI, France
Protected design
Shapes, renderings and visual identity of the Aerotrain, Aerotram, Aeropod and Aerodock vehicles, created since 2017. Copyright Société du Nouvel Aérotrain. All rights reserved.
Careers
We are recruiting the team that will build the line
SNA is building a multidisciplinary team in Paris. The profiles below are open to experienced engineers and managers who want to take a new transport technology from prototype to certified service.
Engineering
Air cushion and aerodynamics engineer
CFD, fluid mechanics, lift and suspension chambers, wind tunnel and test bench validation.
Paris · Full time
Engineering
Linear motor and power electronics engineer
Linear induction motors, inverters, traction control, regenerative braking.
Paris · Full time
Energy
Hydrogen fuel cell engineer
PEM stacks, bipolar plates, H₂ storage, hybridization with batteries and ultra-capacitors.
Paris · Full time
Autonomy
Autonomous systems and AI engineer
Perception, sensor fusion, path planning, integration with the NEUTRINO safety core.
Paris · Full time
Safety
Railway safety and certification manager
EN 50126, 50128 and 50129, SIL 4 safety cases, relations with certification bodies.
Paris · Full time
Software
Real-time embedded software engineer
Safety-critical C and Rust, RTOS, fieldbus, redundant control architectures.
Paris · Full time
Infrastructure
Civil and structural engineer
Elevated monorail, prestressed concrete, pillars and viaducts, cost per kilometre.
Paris · Full time
Design
Industrial designer and composite materials engineer
Vehicle shells, carbon and glass composites, interior and passenger experience.
Paris · Full time
Operations
Prototype and test track manager
Assembly, instrumentation, test campaigns and data acquisition on the test track.
Paris · Full time
Business
Project finance and business development director
PPP and concession models, tenders, relations with transport authorities worldwide.
Paris · Full time
Send your CV and the title of the role to info@aero-train.fr
Investors
The investor profile we are looking for
Aerotrain combines a deep tech program with infrastructure returns. SNA is looking for partners who share a long horizon, typically 7 to 10 years, and who can follow the project from prototype to the first commercial corridors.
- Infrastructure and transition fundsLong-term capital for test track, pilot lines and first commercial corridors.
- Sovereign and public investment fundsStrategic transport and hydrogen sovereignty, co-investment with national programs.
- Strategic industrial partnersRolling stock makers, hydrogen producers, civil engineering and port operators.
- Development finance institutionsCorridors in Africa, the Middle East and Asia under PPP and concession models.
- Family offices and deep tech investorsEarly equity alongside the ZEE group for the prototype and certification phases.
Investment roadmap
Phase 1
Prototype and test track
Full-scale shuttle, 5 km test track, NEUTRINO safety validation.
Phase 2
Certification and pilot line
Safety case, first passenger or port pilot with a partner authority.
Phase 3
Commercial corridors
Project companies per line, financed in PPP or concession.
Investor relations
+33 (0)1 84 73 00 85
info@aero-train.fr
A ZEE group company
Backed by an industrial group built for deep tech
Société du Nouvel Aérotrain (SNA) is a company of the ZEE group, alongside its energy, materials and aerospace programs. The group brings hydrogen expertise, engineering capacity and long-term funding to take the shuttle from laboratory tests to commercial lines.