Hyperloop transport is gaining momentum as a future transport system. It is environmentally sustainable and cost-effective. It consists of passenger Pods elevated by magnetism or pressurised air bed, within low pressure transport tubes, these then travel up to near supersonic speed ~ 800 mph, driven by linear induction motors or fans. SpaceX are encouraging further innovation in this area by holding a competition in January this year at their Hyperloop test track for 27 teams from across the world.

SpaceX and Elon Musk head of Tesla mentioned hyperloop transport to South Korea a few years ago, who have since signed a deal with HTT, a start up company from Calfornia, to develop a hyperloop line between Seoul and Busan. If it is successful, travel time will come down from 3 hrs by bullet train to just 30 mins ! The energy used will be much less than high-speed rail and cost of infrastructure would be less than half. Part of the deal includes co-operation with Hanyyang University in Seoul, starting initially with the build of a full scale test bed.

Elsewhere Dubai, US, Czech Republic, China, Indonesia, and India are all investing in hyperloop projects. The annual market is expected to grow by 50% from 2022 to reach $6.34 billion by 2026 – as reported from Markets and Markets. The first hyperloop is expected to be launched in 2022, providing 12 minute travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The science fiction movies often used to portray this type of travel and now it seems has become today’s reality.

I wonder what’s next?  Swish, Swish doors and silver one piece suits and interesting hairstyles !! Let’s hope not !!

Hope you have a good month,

All the best,

Mike

Quotation corner:

“I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by”
    Douglas Adams

“Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow know what you truly want to become”
    Steve Jobs

ps  If you have enjoyed the blog please forward to those who might be interested, many thanks in advance, Mike