Mega-fast Transportation System Hopes to Revolutionize Travel
A transportation system called Hyperloop, originally proposed by Elon Musk in 2013, was expected to become a reality by now. However, progress has been slower than anticipated.
Several companies promised to develop a mass-scale hyperloop system, but it hasn’t materialized yet. Despite this setback, many still believe that the hyperloop concept has the potential to challenge other modes of transportation, including airplanes, by transporting people and cargo through tubes at speeds of up to 700 miles per hour.
Although the dream of a hyperloop hasn’t been realized, project leads remain optimistic. Gabriele Semino, project lead at TUM Hyperloop, stated in an interview with HaberTusba, “I’ve been working on this for seven years now, we wouldn’t be doing it if we don’t believe in it.”
Since its inception, various companies have been competing to develop their own versions of the hyperloop. TUM Hyperloop, a project by the Technical University of Munich, is currently working on the technology.
At the recent IAA auto show in Munich, TUM Hyperloop showcased the passenger pod and a 24-meter-long test tube. While this is a relatively short distance, the company aims to validate the system’s functionality before constructing longer tracks.
Semino predicts that by the end of this decade, the technology will be ready for short tracks with full-speed operation and passenger transport. By the end of the next decade, longer hyperloop tracks spanning continents may become a reality.
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) and Elon Musk’s Boring Company are also actively exploring hyperloop technology.
Europe Leading the Way in Hyperloop Technology
Hyperloop technology holds the potential to address numerous transportation challenges, offering a green and high-speed mode of transport. It could potentially reduce the reliance on flights and cars in regions like the United States and continental Europe.
Semino highlights that hyperloop technology could alleviate the strain on traditional train lines, which could then be repurposed for cargo transportation.
While regions like the Middle East and China are potential candidates for adopting this technology, Europe is expected to be one of the first regions to implement it. The European Commission is currently exploring the establishment of a framework for hyperloop technology.
Semino states, “From a government framework point of view, Europe is the one that’s most interesting right now.”
