[Superconductor × Hydrogen Engine] Taking Uncharted Technology to the Racetrack | Toyota Times News

“This is totally insane” A bold new challenge is underway: using a superconducting motor in a live racing environment—despite there being no practical applications anywhere in the world. That’s how Kyoto University professor Taketsune Nakamura conveyed the scale of the task ahead. The hydrogen-engine Corolla, honed on the racetrack, uses liquid hydrogen for fuel. By incorporating a superconducting motor, it may take a major step toward rivaling gasoline vehicles. But the path of development through such uncharted territory proved harsher than ever. Facing one challenge after another, the team gradually built up small but steady results, eventually refining the technology enough to demonstrate it in public. “Engineers make the impossible possible.” This episode follows car—and the team behind it—through a two-year development journey driven by shared determination. 00:00 Opening 00:40 Start of the superconductor × hydrogen engine 01:43 Following the development team into uncharted territory 02:31 What is a superconductor, anyway? 05:01 Working in perfect sync with master craftsmen 11:10 The steep road of development 12:51 What shape is the “largest tank ever”? 15:39 Results of the first motor-drive test 18:34 Finally installed in the car—and facing numerous issues 23:00 A sudden halt during the first hydrogen fueling 25:01 Moving forward step by step as one team 31:11 A world first?! Speeding around the circuit! 32:53 Development driver: It feels unreal 34:40 Finally the unveiling! The team’s future goals