The concept of the Hyperloop, unveiled by Elon Musk’s SpaceX in 2013, has generated a great deal of interest worldwide.
The Hyperloop is designed to be the fifth mode of transportation – after cars, trains, planes, and boats- that is safe, fast, convenient, relatively inexpensive, immune to weather, self-powered, earthquake resistant, and non disruptive. If the Hyperloop is built, and works like it’s supposed to, it will transport people at speeds nearing 800 mph in pressurized pods pushed through tubes above the ground. We’re talking San Francisco to Los Angeles in 30 minutes!
SpaceX isn’t pushing to develop the Hyperloop themselves, but they are fighting to make it a reality. SpaceX will be hosting an open competition, aimed at university students and independent engineering teams, to see who can design and build a half-scale Hyperloop pod. More than 700 entries have already been received.
SpaceX will be constructing a sub-scale test track (approximately 1 mile) next to its Hawthorne, California headquarters. On competition weekend, entrants will operate their pods within this test track.
Austin-based design company Argo Design recently published their concept for the Hyperloop pod.
Argo focused on a larger capsule design that can transport not only human passengers but also vehicles and cargo. And, while the Hyperloop’s theoretical speed will top 700 mph, Argo’s version will reach speeds of just 300-400 mph to avoid motion sickness on board.
Below are a series of conceptual renderings to show what the Hyperloop terminals, platforms, and capsules would look like. Very cool stuff! 🚄