Entrepreneur Elon Musk first proposed the idea of Hyperloop Technology and then made it open source, to see if various companies and startups can use the design and build his idea into a reality.
One such company, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, has now submitted a proposal to build a test track between the cities of Mumbai and Pune. The Chairman, Bibop Gabirele Gresta, has formally submitted a request with the Minister of Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari.
Here are some interesting facts about the Hyperloop technology:
1) It is cheaper than the cost required to build a bullet train
While the initial infrastructure to make this technology a reality is expensive, the costs to set up and maintain the Hyperloop are much lower than the cost it takes to build and maintain a bullet train.
2) Making the design Open Source Gives an opportunity to startups.
Musk clearly hasn’t forgotten where he came from, and by making the design open source, not only does Musk encourage various startups, but he also gets to focus on his SpaceX program and building Tesla Motors.
3) Hyperloop’s design requires a long low pressure tube.
The design of the Hyperloop is such that, in layman’s terms, the tube is suspended just mere inches off the walls, that is to say, it floats in the space inside the tube. A very futuristic design.
4) Hyperloop will be completely self sustainable.
The technology that powers the compressor needed to run the Hyperloop tubes will be solar powered, with the tubes lined with Solar Panels and energy storage capacitors so that it doesn’t loose efficiency or power even under cloudy conditions.
5) Hyperloop’s design requires it to travel only in a straight line.
The tech by design is a rapid mode of transportation, sometimes accelerating to more speed than a human can handle, and as such, the tubes need to be in a straight path to avoid any untoward accidents.
6) The tech requires pods to be spaced 5 miles apart.
While there are emergency brakes for each pod, the design requires the pods to be spaced 5 miles apart from each other, with one pod leaving every 30 seconds, and the space between the tube and the pod being small enough to stop pods easily in case of an emergency.
7) The Hyperloop pods will be designed using Dense Aluminium
The train would be comprised of durable aluminum pods that would contain skis with a durable SpaceX alloy called Inconel. The acceleration speeds were a concern but the element encased in this element to handle high pressure and heat.
8) There is no definite date on its first test run.
While there are various companies trying to make this technology a reality, there is no definite date when the world will see this tech in use. The high cost of implementation is a deterrent to many, but those who are in the field, are inching closer to their goal day by day. Here is hoping India gets to see this soon.
