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In 2013, Musk expressed desire for hyperloop travel
The idea was born out of a need to improve the (not yet built) California High Speed Rail
While in the physical realm of probability, he asserted he was to busy for the project
At the very least, Musk wanted to design a working prototype and have someone else develop it.
Current DevelopmentsThere is a high speed rail going into production
Costs a whopping $70 billion USD
If it were to be completed, it would rank as one of the slowest bullet trains in the world
How to Improve!
According to his blog, a new mode of transportation should provide huge returns by being…
Safer
Faster
More cost effective
Immune to weather
Sustainable
Not disruptive to those around it
Trains will be a pod shape, and tracks will consist of a series of low-pressure tubes
The bottom of the pods would be fitted with skis
Air cushion would be created via openings in the skis
Initial thrust comes from magnets on the skis
motors on the track provide boost as needed.
Importantly, the atmosphere in the tubes would prevent the train form breaking the sound barrier
The tech that Musk cites already exists
Scientifically possible; he’s not waiting on a major breakthrough
Just over a year ago, Musk said he had no plans to go through with the project– it was but an idea
But he recently announced that construction of a test track will begin!
Conceptual StatsHe wants to get students involved, and host racing competitions
A fully operational track from SF to LA would cost about $6 billion (a fraction of the High Speed Rail)
The trip would take about 35 minutes at a rate of 760 mph
Can operate both above and below ground
Source info from Businessweek (http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-08-12/revealed-elon-musk-explains-the-hyperloop#p1) and Wired (http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/12/elon-musks-hyperloop-explained-a-technically-possible-sci-fi-dream-hes-to-busy-to-work-on-right-now/)
Here’s to the future!