10060478Global Centre of Rail Excellence: UnderpassClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKhyperTunnel proposes "an innovation to reduce the need for cut and cover underpass construction". hyperTunnel is at late-stage R&D, with a clear route to commercialisation, providing UK global export opportunities in rail and beyond. hyperTunnel is a technology company working with the underground construction industry to completely change how underground spaces are built, maintained, enlarged and monitored. Its highly innovative, patented approach greatly reduces costs and environmental impacts, enabling underground construction projects to be carried out far more quickly, safely and with less project risk than existing methods. Benefits include: * lower carbon footprint and environmental benefits * reduced construction costs * reduced through life costs through monitoring, (embedded sensors and Digital Twin) * improved resilience * enhanced safety (during build and delivered outcome) * reduced timescales * efficiencies in materials handling and resources This technology can grow the overall underground construction market by bringing in new projects that were previously unviable. It also brings genuine economic and societal benefit. The technology provides solutions that address industry needs and pain points, to provide a better alternative for the future. These can be successfully exploited not only by the rail industry to deliver benefits in railway construction, but also roads, mining and utilities. hyperTunnel uses a unique combination of proven technologies from diverse industries -- including digital twins, robotics, 3D printing and digital underground surveying, supported by AI and VR -- to redefine what is possible in underground construction, enlargement, monitoring and repair. Instead of digging a hole and building a tunnel, hyperTunnel builds the tunnel and then digs the hole. The patented method in simple terms is: -traditional drilling methods used to place 280mm diameter plastic pipes in the ground in an appropriate pattern -geophysical survey robots sent into the pipes to compile data for a Digital Twin -construction robots sent into the pipes to construct the permanent tunnel lining -excavation using traditional plant. The project envisaged is a short pedestrian sized tunnel under the test railway track. The trial tunnel would be about 10m long with an internal diameter of 3.5m, constructed as a full-scale trial. The process is unique hence it is patented. We have a strong technical and commercial team and understand the requirement to develop a proactive working relationship with the GCRE teams, sharing information and other support activities. hyperTunnel will deliver: -a demonstration at GCRE for use and feedback. -an evaluation phase to inform a cost benefit analysis -retain delivered demonstration.