See the Hyperloop One in action

[Kevin Lancaster]

See the Hyperloop One in action

Hyperloop One has shown off the progress it has made in its first live propulsion open-air test.

 

[RazedInBlack]

What are those tubes for?

 

[The_Assimilator]

What are those tubes for?

The actual loop, which will be vacuum-sealed to remove air, and hence air resistance, to allow the high speeds that are necessary to make Hyperloop viable.

 

[konfab]

The actual loop, which will be vacuum-sealed to remove air, and hence air resistance, to allow the high speeds that are necessary to make Hyperloop viable.

I don't know how viable it will be to create a near vacuum. That requires a lot of energy.

 

[furpile]

I don't know how viable it will be to create a near vacuum. That requires a lot of energy.

It is not near vacuum. You can find Elon Musk's original proposal online, they had a look at all the basics of the problem. They only go to about 80% vacuum, which is not very hard to do. That reduces air resistance enough to enable the train to move at high speed.

This is a really cool project, and I hope this demo works according to expectations. This can improve medium distance travel significantly.

 

[RazedInBlack]

The actual loop, which will be vacuum-sealed to remove air, and hence air resistance, to allow the high speeds that are necessary to make Hyperloop viable.

Cool! I wonder if we'll see one here is SA though.

 

[The_MAC]

What about safety in terms of anything going wrong at those speeds?

Would this be for human or goods transport?

How would they deal with turning?

 

[falcon786]

1.Air supply in normal usage?
2.What happens if the thing gets stuck between JHB and Durban for a couple hours,do you just suffocate?

I'm sure they'll come up with a solution which is simpler for 1 but it's going to be challenging for 2.

 

[TheJman]

Have you guys seen the maglev train - really like the idea of it - no friction - really cool stuff!

 

[The_MAC]

Have you guys seen the maglev train - really like the idea of it - no friction - really cool stuff!

I remember doing a project on it in STD 6, many years ago.

 

[StellenboschStudent]

This is a very cool idea, but creating a vacuum of that size... you will need the mother of all pumps to reach a decent vacuum. At my previous job, a small chamber, maybe 1m3 took about 12h to reach a decent vacuum level...
Plus the train has to seal vacuum tight as well... then you need oxygen for the passengers... recycle the CO2... not sure how viable this will be

 

[etienne_marais]

Elon Musk is a clever guy, mkay. They have already thought of the implications.

 

[Marakker]

Cool! I wonder if we'll see one here is SA though.

Dude, we cannot even do rail from the 1800's properly.

 

[RazedInBlack]

Dude, we cannot even do rail from the 1800's properly.

 

[RazedInBlack]

1.Air supply in normal usage?
2.What happens if the thing gets stuck between JHB and Durban for a couple hours,do you just suffocate?

I'm sure they'll come up with a solution which is simpler for 1 but it's going to be challenging for 2.

I'm assuming a trip between Cape Town and JHB will take a mere few minutes. So at those speeds, if something were to go wrong theres a strong possibility of no survivors.

 

[TheJman]

Dude, we cannot even do rail from the 1800's properly.

aii... no, we donn need the trein.. we buy the plane

 

[Archer]

1.Air supply in normal usage?
2.What happens if the thing gets stuck between JHB and Durban for a couple hours,do you just suffocate?

I'm sure they'll come up with a solution which is simpler for 1 but it's going to be challenging for 2.

2. Open tube to air pressure, open train doors.

 

[falcon786]

I'm assuming a trip between Cape Town and JHB will take a mere few minutes. So at those speeds, if something were to go wrong theres a strong possibility of no survivors.

400kph,so more like hours.But yes at that speed if an accident had to occur it would not be pretty,however I'm talking about mechanical failure where the thing just stops.

2. Open tube to air pressure, open train doors.

From inside the train?Please explain.

 

[Archer]

From inside the train?Please explain.

Outside operator should be able to see the train is in distress and proceeds to do whatever it is they planned to do in the event the vehicle gets stuck. Off the top of my head I thought simply pressurising the tube and then opening the train doors would be a really easy way to do it.

 

[Skerminkel]

Cool! I wonder if we'll see one here is SA though.

Funny man!

Have you guys seen the maglev train - really like the idea of it - no friction - really cool stuff!

Rode the one in Shanghai once. 434 km/h!

I'm assuming a trip between Cape Town and JHB will take a mere few minutes. So at those speeds, if something were to go wrong theres a strong possibility of no survivors.

It's like the Concorde. If you offer me flight today, I will take it. The risk is worth it.