Photo: The Proposed Supersonic Train
China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp. (CASIC) has inked a strategic framework agreement with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely), the Chinese automaker that owns Volvo and Lotus, to jointly develop the supersonic trains in China.
Both firms agreed to combine their technical expertise and capabilities to develop this next-generation bullet trains.
The proposed high-speed train system appears to resemble the much-discussed Hyperloop concept envisioned by Elon Musk. Like the Hyperloop, these trains would travel in sealed vacuum tubes to eliminate air resistance and increase speed.
The proposals included enabling passenger and freight transportation using pods or specially-developed vehicles through low-pressure tubes.
Unlike conventional trains, the proposed system would use magnetic levitation (Maglev), a technology that uses magnetic forces to repel a vehicle from a guide rail, allowing it to float inches above the surface, eliminating a major source of friction.
The supersonic trains are positioned as the next generation of mobility, offering safe, comfortable, highly adaptable, environmentally-friendly, ultra-high-speed transportation. Maglev high-speed train technology has already developed a proven track record in China, which has the most operational Maglev tracks in the world.