OT One step closer to Futurama. Hyperloop test
Very cool and exciting test. Granted, what it would take to make it viable for human transportation still needs to be figured out, but rail for cargo could all but be eliminated.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/technologyinvesting/the-first-public-hyp…
but I expect that shooting people at 700mph in a tube from LA to San Fran will be a reality right about at the same time I finally get my rocket backpack and atomic-powered personal helicopter.
Unfortunately they've already stated that they won't actually be building any Hyperloops here due to regulations. Testing only here.
Some other country will get the privledge of having the first one.
I'm sorry, but I think this thing is a monument to human stupidity.
"Hey, I have an idea for a transportation medium on a track that has to be almost perfectly flat, straight, and smooth and could have catastrophic results with even the smallest bump or jostle."
"Great. Put it on that massive fault line over there."
From an engineering proof-of-concept standpoint, something like Chicago to Milwaukee would work better, but then Elon would have less access to the government funding that tends to prop up most of his ventures.
Even if it could only be used for cargo, that's a tremendous relief. Right now passenger trains share the rails with freight, which is the primary obstacle to high-speed rail- brand new lines would have to be laid, not just upgrading current lines. If freight were to be replaced along certain lines then the passenger trains could become proper high-speed rail.
I hope the engineering challenges are overcome, they may be numerous but great things always have huge scientific obstacles.