Virgin Hyperloop plans to move people at jet speeds in near-vacuum tubes.
A Hyperloop system is a mass-transit system that uses sealed tubes with low pressures to allow travel pods to move at high speeds in an environment that offers little air resistance. Aimed at connecting large cities, a Hyperloop is more energy efficient compared to train systems and an eco-friendly option, when compared to air transportation.
In a clear departure from the magnetically levitated (MagLev) train system, Virgin's pods aren't resting on the tracks rather hanging off them. The company also claims that its pods will be battery-powered rather than being live-wired. According to the company, by moving the levitation, power, and propulsion to its pods, it has built a system that is 10 times more energy efficient than the current MagLev trains, reports Interesting Engineering.
Another clever idea is that instead of connecting the pods in a long string, like a conventional train, Virgin Hyperloop plans to move them in caravans so that Pods can be diverted to different destinations. Virgin Hyperloop is confident that its Pods will move at 650 miles per hour (1070 kph) and enable ultra-fast transportation for tens of thousands of people without direct emissions from the operation.
Just in case this has you excited, you need to wait at least till 2027 to experience the Hyperloop when commercial operations are scheduled to begin. In the meantime, this 2 minute video will give you a clear explanation of their concept and their plans.