The Hyperloop, a groundbreaking transportation concept first proposed by SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk, is set to get its first test track in the near future, with construction to start in just a few weeks.
The test track will be five miles long and will be the first of its kind ever built. Using it, inventors will be able to test their pod designs that will, at least in theory, be able to transport people at as much as 760 miles per hour.
Unfortunately, the test track isn't going to come cheap. Initially, the test track was pegged at $100 million, however, that figure has gone up to a massive $150 million. Of course, it's important to mention that this cost will likely go down if the Hyperloop idea ever makes it to full production, as is the case with many prototypes.
It's also important to mention that, while the first test track will be built in the U.S., it's not likely that the first full model will also be built here.
"There are other countries that are in a more advanced discussion phase and they have the political will, the lack of infrastructure, a high density of population and less regulatory problems to make it happen," said Hyperloop's chief operating officer Bibop Gabriele Gresta in an interview with Dezeen.
Before any kind of full model is built, however, testing will need to occur. The first stage of the Hyperloop Pod Competition will occur in January in Texas, with rules for the competition having been updated this week. Teams that progress past the first stage of the competition will be able to create prototypes of the pods that they design, and the final stage will include two winners who have built two different classes of pods (one that uses wheels and one that doesn't). Winners will be judged based on pod speed.
It's important to note that the competition is being hosted by Texas A&M University and is not affiliated with the Hyperloop test track being built.
It seems as though the Hyperloop has a bright future, even if it will likely be years before the public can travel in the system.
Via: Popular Science
