Hyperloop One has successfully completed the world’s first full-system hyperloop test in a vacuum environment (conducted privately at the company’s ‘DevLoop’ track in the Nevada Desert).
Hyperloop One’s vehicle coasted above the first portion of the track for 5.3sec — using magnetic levitation — and reached an acceleration of nearly 2G, while achieving the target speed of 70mph.
The company is now entering the next phase of testing, which will target speeds of 250mph. Shervin Pishevar, co-founder and executive chairman of Hyperloop One, said: “Hyperloop One has accomplished what no one has done before by successfully testing the first full-scale hyperloop system.
“By achieving full vacuum, we essentially invented our own sky in a tube, as if you're flying at an altitude of 60,000m. For the first time in over 100 years, a new mode of transportation has been introduced. Hyperloop is real, and it’s here now.”
Hyperloop One tested all of the system’s components, including its motor, suspension, magnetic levitation system, electromagnetic braking, vacuum pumping system and more. Nearly 200 engineers, fabricators and welders dedicated thousands of hours to making the test successful.
In addition to announcing the private test, Hyperloop One also unveiled the prototype of the pod that will work in the system.
Using electromagnetic propulsion and magnetic levitation, the pod will transport passengers and cargo inside the tube. Made of structural aluminium and lightweight carbon fibre, the pod is 8.5m long.