What is Hyperloop?

Background

In 1886, with the first car’s invention by the German inventor Carl Benz, the transportation industry was revolutionized. Before that, to cover large distances, horse carts were used. However, it took a couple of decades for cars to become available for the masses. Cars solved the problem of covering large distances in a short period, with a lot more comfort than a horse cart.

Now a new, yet a similar problem is at our doors. With an increase in the number of vehicles on the road, the roads are becoming more congested with each passing day and making inter-city commutes longer and tiresome. That is when Elon Musk in 2013 came up with the idea of ‘hyperloop.’

Hyperloop passenger transport capsule conceptual design sketch by Elon Musk

Theoretically speaking, this system of transportation could achieve Mach 1, which is 3x the speed of the fastest bullet train in existence. If this sci-fi sounding concept could be made into reality, it would revolutionize the transportation industry. Similar ideas were already in existence, but Elon Musk popularised the idea and inspired individuals and companies to look into this new technology and make it a reality. 

How does it work?

Speed: 

Hyperloop technology can achieve higher speed than any mode of transport available right now, that too, with less use of energy. 

A hyperloop pod/capsule can theoretically reach the speed of 1200km/h+ using magnetic levitation. Hyperloop systems use enclosed metal tubes for the movement of the pods/capsules. In these tubes, a near-vacuum environment can be achieved by reducing the air pressure down to the equivalent of 200,000 ft above sea level (<100Pa). With the combination of these techniques, the pod/capsule will practically glide because of maglev. With very low aerodynamic drag, the pod/capsule can reach high speeds with much ease as compared to any other means of transport. 

Hyperloop passenger transport capsule conceptual design rendering by Elon Musk

Sustainability:

Since the system is 100% electric, the power can be drawn using solar panels, which can be placed over the tubes. Using maglev technology and taking advantage of the near-vacuum environment, a hyperloop project will consume far less energy than any means of transport. It will also have almost 0 carbon footprints.

Hyperloop capsule in tube cutaway with attached solar arrays

Safety:

Since the pods/capsules experience no friction and accelerate in a near-vacuum environment, the acceleration from 0 to 1000 km/h would not be felt as there would not be any turbulence as one experiences in other means of transport like aeroplanes. The hyperloop system is immune to weather delays as it runs in an enclosed environment. The pods/capsules being fully autonomous, are resistant to human errors, as sensors gather and transmit with microsecond adjustments. It means that even if there is a breach in the tube, the pods/capsules will slow down using more energy, and if the breach is significant, the pods/capsules will stop altogether.

To know more in detail you can head to a guide made by WIRED specifically for hyperloop enthusiasts.