Since 2014, Virgin Group’s Hyperloop has been in the development and experimental stage. Virgin Hyperloop has released further information about their take on Elon Musk’s 670 mph vacuum-tube train technology.
Virgin Group’s Hyperloop
A new video was released by the company showcasing its smaller pods, which move in convoy via tubes before separating off to proceed to other destinations. Small groups of passengers might travel at up to ten times the speed of typical rail services, according to the business.
“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.”
About The Test Vehicle
- The test was conducted at Virgin Hyperloop’s 500-meter DevLoop test facility in Las Vegas.
- Two staff completed the 1,500-foot test track in 15 seconds at 107 mph.
- The test vehicle has made more than 400 journeys, but co-founder and chief technology officer Josh Giegel and director of the 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.”
How It Works
- Hyperloop pods travel in tubes that generate a vacuum-like environment.
- There is very little aerodynamic drag because the pods travel in a vacuum.
- Magnetic levitation and propulsion technology will be used to boost the speeds of the Virgin Hyperloop pods.
- The pod’s electromagnets will lift and guide it to its destination. The pods can travel in a convoy like a train, but because they are not physically connected, they can diverge to reach different destinations.
The production vehicle will have a seating capacity of up to 28 passengers, although the XP-2 demonstration model only has two seats. Virgin Hyperloop claims to be the first and only company to test hyperloop technology at scale.
“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 change the way people everywhere live, work, and travel in the years to come.”
Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group
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