Tesla Chief Proposes 600 MPH 'Hyperloop' Train
Elon Musk, the head of Tesla Motors and several other companies, has unveiled a design for a train that could get from Los Angeles to San Francisco in just half an hour. Musk described the solar-powered 'Hyperloop' train as a cross between a Concord jet and an air hockey table.
Musk says he came up with the design because he was disappointed by the California government's plans to spend $68 billion on a more traditional high-speed rail link that would make the LA-San Francisco trip around two hours and forty minutes long. He argues that's too much time given the project's enormous cost.
Musk's alternative is the Hyperloop, a project he's been working on for the past year but is still in the concept stage. (Source: forbes.com)
Passengers Travel In Confined Pods
Rather than use rails or tunnels, the system would use electromagnetic tracks designed to follow existing expressway road routes. Passengers would be put into narrow "pods" housing around 28 people and capable of traveling at speeds of over 600 miles per hour.
Though technically sophisticated, the basic principle of the system is very simple. An electromagnetic section of tube would be activated just ahead of the train, creating enough force to drag the train forward.
This first section would then be switched off, with the next section of tube activated to drag the train forwards again, and so on.
The activation and deactivation of magnets would be carefully controlled to create a smooth and continuous motion for the train. Musk says it would feel more like a plane than a train as, after acceleration at the start, passengers wouldn't feel any speed or motion during the journey.
Intercity Journeys Could Be Faster Than Flying
According to Musk, the system would work best for distances of 900 miles or less. In these cases the Hyperloop would be faster than planes because there's less time lost taking off and landing. Beyond that distance, air travel would be both cheaper and faster.
Another factor, not discussed by Musk, is that an hour or so is probably the longest many passengers would feel comfortable in a relatively confined space with no natural lighting or view of the outside world.
Musk says it would take around a year to produce a credible demonstration of the technology and seven years to get it ready for public use.
He also insists he doesn't have the time to develop the idea himself, but is willing to get the project started and then make all the design and technical details public for another organization to turn into a reality. (Source: teslamotors.com)
Most popular articles
- Which Processor is Better: Intel or AMD? - Explained
- How to Prevent Ransomware in 2018 - 10 Steps
- 5 Best Anti Ransomware Software Free
- How to Fix: Computer / Network Infected with Ransomware (10 Steps)
- How to Fix: Your Computer is Infected, Call This Number (Scam)
- Scammed by Informatico Experts? Here's What to Do
- Scammed by Smart PC Experts? Here's What to Do
- Scammed by Right PC Experts? Here's What to Do
- Scammed by PC / Web Network Experts? Here's What to Do
- How to Fix: Windows Update Won't Update
- Explained: Do I need a VPN? Are VPNs Safe for Online Banking?
- Explained: VPN vs Proxy; What's the Difference?
- Explained: Difference Between VPN Server and VPN (Service)
- Forgot Password? How to: Reset Any Password: Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10
- How to: Use a Firewall to Block Full Screen Ads on Android
- Explained: Absolute Best way to Limit Data on Android
- Explained: Difference Between Dark Web, Deep Net, Darknet and More
- Explained: If I Reset Windows 10 will it Remove Malware?
My name is Dennis Faas and I am a senior systems administrator and IT technical analyst specializing in cyber crimes (sextortion / blackmail / tech support scams) with over 30 years experience; I also run this website! If you need technical assistance , I can help. Click here to email me now; optionally, you can review my resume here. You can also read how I can fix your computer over the Internet (also includes user reviews).
We are BBB Accredited
We are BBB accredited (A+ rating), celebrating 21 years of excellence! Click to view our rating on the BBB.