Virgin Hyperloop wants to get you excited about riding its ultra-fast pods — but there’s a long way to go
If Virgin Hyperloop is the fastest to market we’ve a while to wait
First Virgin Hyperloop passenger test in 2020
Virgin Hyperloop is the only companyto test a hyperloop with actual passengers. In November 2020, the company successfully launched a two-seat prototype ridden by two members of staff. The hyperloop traveled 500 meters, reaching 172 kilometers per hour within 6.25 seconds. Ok, the technology works, albeit on a short track and slower than promised. But it’s 6 months since then, and we’ve not seen any longer or faster journeys by Virgin Hyperloop or any of their competitors. What is the real progress?
Hyperloop eligible for US federal funding
This month the US Senate passed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The legislation allows hyperloop companiesto compete for federal fundingfor US-based projects.
This includes hyperloop eligibility for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements and the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program at the Department of Energy. As a result hyperloop companies will be able to get funding for safety testing and loans for vehicle manufacturing.
So, where’s my pod ride?
As a technology, the hyperloop is still strictly in the R&D phase. Most of the efforts by Virgin’s competitors are strictly in stealth mode.
The video is, in reality, just a CGI rendering of whatcould berather than an update of what exists. A sign of hyperloop tech struggling to stay relevant as people focus onautonomous vehiclesandflying taxis?
There’s still a considerable way to go in terms of questions of economic viability, legal regulation, scale, interoperability, and whether people are actually willing to travel in almost silent, windowless pods. We’ve been given the plans for an impressive disruption to long-distance travel. But we’re waiting to see proof of long-term viability compared to maglev trains and other high speed rail.
Virgin Hyperloop has set2027 for the releaseof the first commercial offering. Whether the world will be ready is the question.
Do EVs excite your electrons? Do ebikes get your wheels spinning? Do self-driving cars get you all charged up?
Story byCate Lawrence
Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin. She focuses on all things mobility: ebikes, autonomous vehicles, VTOL, smart ci(show all)Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin. She focuses on all things mobility: ebikes, autonomous vehicles, VTOL, smart cities, and the future of alternative energy sources like electric batteries, solar, and hydrogen.
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