Hyperloop is a new form of transportation that was brought to life by billionaire Elon Musk. He proposes that hyperloop could become the fifth mode of transportation in the world. If his projections are correct, hyperloop could drastically change the way we live our lives.
The science behind the hyperloop is not as complicated as you may think. It is simply a low-pressure tube with a pod inside that levitates using either magnetic levitation or air bearings. It uses a linear electric motor to propel the pod at speeds of around 700mph. Because there is very little resistance pushing back against the pod, the system can travel at these speeds in an energy efficient manner. The proposed design even includes solar panels on top of the tubes that would generate more power than is actually consumed by the system. This means that the system would be completely self-sustaining and would even generate extra power for the surrounding communities. The first hyperloop is proposed to link between downtown LA and downtown San Francisco. The route would take about 30 minutes, which means someone could leave downtown LA, go to dinner in San Francisco, and still be back in LA with time to go to a movie. It is easy to imagine the many possibilities for this system to improve our commute, but it could also be a revolutionary method of making shipments from city to city. Cargo ships are some of the largest pollutants in the world. The implementation of shipments through hyperloop would allow us to make shipments in an energy efficient and clean manner.
The idea of the hyperloop has actually been around for centuries. In 1812, the idea was first brought to the public’s attention by British engineer George Medhurst. He came up with the idea of transporting passengers and goods through air-tight tubes. The first working application came in London in 1864. The system used tunnels and large fans powered by steam engines.
There are three major players all attempting to bring the hyperloop to the masses. These three companies are SpaceX, Hyperloop One, and Hyperloop Transportation Technologies. The company that seems to be gaining the most ground is Hyperloop One. It is working to create a real-life test track in Nevada. The company has already tested its propulsion system on a track, where the pod was able to reach a speed of 116mph in just 1.1 seconds. The company has been working ever since that test to create a full-scale test of the system including the tube and levitation. It says the full-scale test will occur within the next few months. This test will be a major key in determining whether or not this mode of transportation could be a viable solution for the future.
The most challenging part of the entire hyperloop system is designing the pod that will travel within the low-pressure tubes. This is why SpaceX decided to sponsor a Hyperloop Pod Competition. Over 30 teams competed and the winning prize was awarded to a team from MIT. The MIT team took their pod design and created their own test in January. The pod passed the test and proved it could survive in a low-pressure tube.
There have been several concerns that have risen about the hyperloop. Most of them revolve around the safety and comfort of the pods. As far as safety is concerned, there is very little that could actually go wrong with the system. The pods never actually touch the tube, and the entire system is controlled by computers, so there is very little room for errors. As far as comfort goes, the hyperloop tube has been put to the test using Matlab. The computer software was able to simulate a journey from LA to San Francisco. The computer determined that the amount of G-force that would be put on the people riding in the pods would never be stronger than the amount experienced when a car takes a sharp turn.
It is clear that the hyperloop has a lot of potential to change the way we live our lives. Whether or not the idea will come to life is another question, however, if Hyperloop One is correct with their projections, we could see this method of transportation become a reality within the next five years.
References
Muoio, D. (2017, March 7). Hyperloop One test track Nevada - Business Insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/hyperloop-one-test-track-nevada-photos-2017-3/.
Nichol, W. (2017, March 3). Everything you need to know about the Hyperloop | Digital Trends. Retrieved from http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/hyperloop-news/
Wallace, O. (2016, October 6). Hyperloop: exclusive look inside the race to build Elon Musk's futuristic transport | WIRED UK. Retrieved from http://www.wired.co.uk/article/hyperloop-hype-machine
Great presentation. I had no idea that this was occurring today! Is there any timeline for when this would be available to the general public, or is it just a testing theory at this point? Either way, good to see new, more efficient travel methods being invented.
ReplyDeleteVery good presentation and choice of topic. I had never heard of this form of transportation before today. Glad you were able to teach us about Hyperloop and its potential to be highly beneficial in the future.
ReplyDeleteGlad you talked about the hyperloop! I've heard about it before since I've read a lot about Elon Musk and all his projects but it's great to know there's people/companies working on the technology and possible implementation of this technology. I always critique our long distance form of transportation in comparison to the trains of Europe but we would be a first in the hyperloop world! Very cool.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting and cool topic you pick. I heard there is another company called: Hyperloop One is currently building one from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, which is about 102 miles, and it will only take Hyperloop 12 mintues to finish the trip! The estimate launch date will be in 2020
ReplyDeleteI was really excited to see someone did a tech talk on the Hyperloop! I had heard about some developments on this new form of transportation but was not aware it had come this far. I wonder how many countries will have the economic means to implement this new form of transportation. I think that it could definitely change public transportation and I believe that the hyperloop could potentially have an effect on major airlines in particular.
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