Hyperloop pod travels 192mph in maiden journey

Hyperloop pod travels 192mph in maiden journey

Cara McGoogan  Charlotte Krol, 2 AUGUST 2017 • 3:52PM

The ultra-fast Hyperloop is one step closer to becoming a reality after its pod travelled 192 miles per hour in its maiden journey. 

Hyperloop One said its prototype for the high-speed transport system, which could travel from London to Edinburgh in 50 minutes, reached the speed on a 500-metre-long test track in the Nevada desert.

The test marks the first time Hyperloop One has propelled one of its carriages along the tube, as well as the fastest journey for the technology. The company completed its first trial in May, which involved a smaller trolley reaching a top speed of 70 miles per hour.

It is a significant step in the development of the Hyperloop, a transport system first conceived by Elon Musk in 2015 that involves levitating pods travelling through a vacuum at 750 miles per hour.

"This is the beginning, and the dawn of a new era of transportation," said Shervin Pishevar, co-founder of Hyperloop One. "We've reached historic speeds of 192 miles per hour and we're excited to finally show the world the XP-1 going into the Hyperloop One tube."

Prototypes for the futuristic mode of transport are being developed by a host of rival companies and research institutions. Hyperloop One is the first to test a working model of its magnetic levitating pods.

Hyperloop One said the first generation of its levitating pod, which was unveiled last month, accelerated for 300 metres, reaching 192 miles per hour before coming to a halt. The XP-1 pod is 8.7 metres long, 2.4 metres wide and 2.7 metres tall.

Although Hyperloop One more than doubled its previous record with the run, it fell short of the 250 miles per hour target it had set. The trip brings the Hyperloop close to the 200 miles per hour of Japan's bullet train, but is still 50 miles per hour slower than the planned HS2.

"We're excited about the prospects and the reception we've received from governments around the world to help solve their mass transportation and infrastructure challenges," said Rob Lloyd, chief executive of Hyperloop One.

He added the company plans to discuss the technology with partners, customers and governments following the success of the trial. It is now looking to commercialise the transport system, which is still being developed.

Hyperloop One said earlier this year that it will be some time before it becomes a reality because of the complexity of the technology.  Before it can accelerate to 750 miles per hour it will need to extend the 500 metre test track, built this year, as well as fine-tune the system.

The next phase of tests will focus on solving practical problems such as creating an air lock, rather than increasing speed, it said.

The California-based transport innovation firm has proposed nine Hyperloop routes in Europe, including three in the UK: London to Edinburgh, Cardiff to Glasgow, and Glasgow to Liverpool.


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