Hyperloop technology has long been confined to science fiction movies and video games, but recent developments have made it increasingly possible. Some experts, however, say it’s more hype than reality.
Science fiction becomes science fact: Hyperloop tests show feasibility
On November 8, the Virgin Hyperloop completed the first successful human passenger journey on its state-of-the-art levitating, airless tube at speeds of 100 mph. The test was marketed as a safety test to show that the hyperloop technology developed at Virgin is reliable and, more importantly, safe for human use. Dr. Christian Claudel, a professor of transportation engineering at the University of Texas, thinks otherwise.
“The Virgin example is a nice milestone, but it doesn’t answer safety questions. It’s just a PR stunt,” Claudel said in a Zoom interview with Lifewire. “It’s like when car manufacturers do one quick test. It’s just one quick test, it doesn’t show whether it’s safe for everyone to drive.”
Still, Virgin Group’s human test was an impressive feat of engineering ingenuity. The craft could simulate travel at altitudes five to six times higher than a typical commercial jet, or about 200,000 feet, while reaching a maximum speed of 107 mph. It may be far from viable for mass use, but its potential is still great.
