Hyperloop
is a new technology that is so ambitious, it seems impossible. Yet,
after a successful test over the weekend, the three year old company
advanced one major step forward in realizing its ultimate goal—safely
shuttling passengers between cities at a rate of nearly 200 m.p.h. On a
track in a Nevada desert, the Hyperloop One XP-1 (the name of the
first-generation pod), successfully accelerated nearly 1,640 feet in 5
seconds at a shocking speed of 192 m.p.h.
is a new technology that is so ambitious, it seems impossible. Yet,
after a successful test over the weekend, the three year old company
advanced one major step forward in realizing its ultimate goal—safely
shuttling passengers between cities at a rate of nearly 200 m.p.h. On a
track in a Nevada desert, the Hyperloop One XP-1 (the name of the
first-generation pod), successfully accelerated nearly 1,640 feet in 5
seconds at a shocking speed of 192 m.p.h.
“This
is the beginning, and the dawn of a new era of transportation,” said
Shervin Pishevar, Executive Chairman and Co-founder of Hyperloop One, in
a statement. “When you hear the sound of the Hyperloop One, you hear
the sound of the future.” His company’s product works by using an
electric propulsion system (generating more than 3,000 horsepower) that
accelerates a pod through a tube 11 feet in diameter. The pods glide
over the surface as they move within a tube that’s been stripped of air,
which translates to almost frictionless motion during the commute. In
more digestible terms, this means a trip from Los Angeles to San
Francisco in roughly 30 minutes (a statistic the company says is
possible) is that much closer to actually happening.
is the beginning, and the dawn of a new era of transportation,” said
Shervin Pishevar, Executive Chairman and Co-founder of Hyperloop One, in
a statement. “When you hear the sound of the Hyperloop One, you hear
the sound of the future.” His company’s product works by using an
electric propulsion system (generating more than 3,000 horsepower) that
accelerates a pod through a tube 11 feet in diameter. The pods glide
over the surface as they move within a tube that’s been stripped of air,
which translates to almost frictionless motion during the commute. In
more digestible terms, this means a trip from Los Angeles to San
Francisco in roughly 30 minutes (a statistic the company says is
possible) is that much closer to actually happening.
Last
weekend’s test, however, is what Hyperloop One is calling a “proof of
concept.” And while it was a tangible step in the right direction, there
is still much more that needs to be worked out before any human can
climb aboard for an inaugural trip. Quickly and efficiently loading
people and/or cargo into the tubes without interrupting the motion and
weight during a trip, and building stations are a few significant
details that need to be understood before the technology can be used for
the masses. What’s more, if Hyperloop One cannot find a way to compete
with the ticket rates found in airlines, trains, or buses, the mode of
transportation will only be used by the uber-wealthy.
weekend’s test, however, is what Hyperloop One is calling a “proof of
concept.” And while it was a tangible step in the right direction, there
is still much more that needs to be worked out before any human can
climb aboard for an inaugural trip. Quickly and efficiently loading
people and/or cargo into the tubes without interrupting the motion and
weight during a trip, and building stations are a few significant
details that need to be understood before the technology can be used for
the masses. What’s more, if Hyperloop One cannot find a way to compete
with the ticket rates found in airlines, trains, or buses, the mode of
transportation will only be used by the uber-wealthy.
The
concept for Hyperloop was first introduced in 2013. But since then,
others have come to take the reigns of the project, as Musk has been
increasingly busy advancing other revolutionary projects such as Tesla
cars and SpaceX rockets.
concept for Hyperloop was first introduced in 2013. But since then,
others have come to take the reigns of the project, as Musk has been
increasingly busy advancing other revolutionary projects such as Tesla
cars and SpaceX rockets.
This story originally appeared on Architectural Digest.
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