More details on 670mph hyperloop train that could change travel forever
Virgin Hyperloop has revealed more details on its spin on the 670mph vacuum-tube train technology first proposed by Elon Musk.
In a new video, the Los Angeles-based company has shown off its smaller pods, which travel through tubes in convoy, splitting off to go to different destinations.
The company hopes that small groups of passengers could blast to destinations at speeds of up to 10 times faster than normal rail services.
It says that due to the absence of moving parts, its hyperloop is faster than maglev trains, and also makes no contribution to climate change.
Watch: An exclusive look inside Virgin's Hyperloop pod
Read more: Virgin could build first hyperloop in India
“It will set the standard for 21st century travel by connecting cities within minutes," Virgin Hyperloop says.
“Our system can propel passenger or cargo pods at speeds of over 1000 km/h. That is 3x faster than high-speed rail and more than 10x faster than traditional rail.”
Last winter, two human passengers hurtled along a vacuum tube in a hyperloop pod.
The test took place at Virgin Hyperloop’s 500 metre DevLoop test site in Las Vegas, where the company had previously run over 400 unoccupied tests.
Two Virgin employees travelled along the 1,500ft test track in 15 seconds at 107mph, the company said.
The test vehicle has made more than 400 journeys, but co-founder and chief technology officer Josh Giegel and director of passenger experience Sara Luchian were its first human passengers.
Giegel said: “When we started in a garage over six years ago, the goal was simple – to transform the way people move.”
“Today, we took one giant leap toward that ultimate dream, not only for me, but for all of us who are looking towards a moonshot right here on Earth.”
Several companies are developing vehicles based on the technology, with Foster and Partners aiming to develop cargo trains based on the technology.
Hyperloop One shortlisted routes in the UK, including Cardiff to Glasgow in 89 minutes.
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The production vehicle will seat up to 28 passengers, but the demonstration model, known as XP-2, seats two.
Virgin Hyperloop says it is the only company that has tested hyperloop technology at scale so far.
Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, said: “For the past few years, the Virgin Hyperloop team has been working on turning its ground-breaking technology into reality.
“This spirit of innovation will in fact change the way people everywhere live, work, and travel in the years to come.”
Watch: These are the first human passengers to try hyperloop travel
