Open Source Technology
For many years, Elon Musk CEO of Tesla has been talking about the future of transportation. You might think he is focusing on futuristic airplanes but that’s far from the truth. Besides self-driving cars and affordable space travel, he envisions the future of transportation using incredibly fast trains. Behold the Hyperloop, a train system that consists of pods traveling through tubes over 700 mph. It can get commuters from San Francisco to Los Angeles in 30 minutes. The idea sounds straights out of the Jetsons. Elon Musk and SpaceX have declared the Hyperloop technology open-source, encouraging other companies to develop it. Hyperloop One, an independent company not associated to Tesla has taken the lead.
How Does The Hyperloop Work
High-speed rail systems have always been limited by friction and air resistance. The Hyperloop eliminates that by using magnetically levitated capsules inside of an airless or partially airless tube. The capsules move through the steel tube at a partial vacuum floating on a layer provided by air pressure. The most similar comparison would be that of an air hockey table suspending the pucks. A liner-electric motor will be accelerating the capsules to the destination. One the capsule is arriving, another linear-motor will absorb the kinetic energy decelerating the capsule. The energy will be stored in a battery pack which in return will provide the source of energy to accelerate the next pod. Here is how it works:
https://youtu.be/fze5spdN3nU
Progress And Future Plans
Hyperloop One tested the motor successfully on May 2016 in the Nevada dessert. They are planning to test the full system in early 2017. Their goal is to start transporting cargo in 2020 and then passengers by 2021. They are currently developing routes in five countries. On November 8th, 2016, Hyperloop One signed an agreement with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority to test a service to Abu Dhabi. The current trip takes over 2 hours and can be reduced to 12 minutes using the Hyperloop. The company has a clear vision in mind. They stated that “Hyperloop is a new way to move people and things at airline speeds for the price of a bus ticket. It’s on-demand, energy-efficient and safe. Think broadband for transportation.”
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18 Comments on "Hyperloop: The Future Of Transportation"
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I would love to use one of these. It would be amazing.
I would use it once many people have done so before mwe to make.sure it’s all good.
Man I would be scared to death if I traveled inside of a capsule at 700 mph. idk about you guys.
I agree I would be scared too but it definitely would make traveling easier and faster of course.
This would make traveling so much better. I hate flying.
I hate flying too. I don’t know how people do those 12 hour flights.
700 mph seems kinda insane to be riding inside of a capsule. So much can go wrong and end up like The Red Wedding
Well I wasn’t thinking that negative but you may have a point.
Can’t wait to see this baby in action
i wish i could put my ex on one of these and send her to casa de la pinga
so is this publicly traded or what? i wouldnt mind investing some shares
This will be like the conchord airplanes….it’ll work until someone dies, and then they will ban it.
Musk for President 2020 — just saying. He’s a genius.
I wouldn’t be scared at all. This would be the best roller coasting ride in the world. I would be so pumped up.
We need one from Miami to Orlando, that would be amazing.
No more 4 hour Disney drives.
This is the future of transportation and I can see how this can improve everyones lives.
This is happening for sure. We need to free up the skies from planes. I need my flying Audi S5 by 2030.