Coolstar
Senior Member
![www.theverge.com](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dHD0WRaMzKDJLHZ4J1YhMiPgep0=/0x0:5168x3448/1200x628/filters:focal(2584x1724:2585x1725)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22019264/20200813_DSC00191.jpg)
Virgin Hyperloop hits an important milestone: the first human passenger test
The pod carrying two people reached 100 mph down the company’s 500-meter test track.
![www.theverge.com](https://www.theverge.com/icons/favicon_32x32.png)
I would strongly suggest any reader to skip the “wow, we’ve invented the wheel - again!” cheering and start reading at “THERE ARE STILL A HOST OF TECHNICAL, FINANCIAL, AND REGULATORY CHALLENGES AHEAD” for a fresh reminder why all of the above is just Gadgetbahn (i.e. technology for the sake of technology - without any understanding of the trade-offs inherent to guideway-dependent transportation)...![]()
Virgin Hyperloop hits an important milestone: the first human passenger test
The pod carrying two people reached 100 mph down the company’s 500-meter test track.www.theverge.com
^"Press X to doubt"
Also done with a scale model.
Hyperloop exists as a VC scam and as a front to do business with sketchy regimes. It is also a grande play by Elon Musk to turn people against high speed rail and transit in order to trap people in their cars so they would buy more Teslas.
Ever notice how all the tracks are never more than 500m? At some point this is all going to implode, just like Theranos.
The short length is odd. They would need a lot more track to be able to test the speeds they claim they can achieve. Japan's new maglev started with a 7km test track, which was then replaced with a 17km test track as they progressed through the design. 0.5km is insanely short.
I doubt it was malicious on the part of Musk. He likes to dream big and question orthodoxy. He just isn't always right. Revealingly, he has not pursued this idea himself. I think he knows it is likely a dud. He pivoted more to tunneling, which is a lot more tractable, though still a high risk technology in terms of being commercially successful. The demo system in Vegas is just about complete, and there seems to be interest in expanding it.^"Press X to doubt"
Also done with a scale model.
Hyperloop exists as a VC scam and as a front to do business with sketchy regimes. It is also a grande play by Elon Musk to turn people against high speed rail and transit in order to trap people in their cars so they would buy more Teslas.
Ever notice how all the tracks are never more than 500m? At some point this is all going to implode, just like Theranos.
I stumbled across Gareth Dennis’ Youtube channel a few weeks ago and have become so addicted to his videos I became one of his supporters on Patreon.Looks like next week's RailNatter is going to be a good one. If you're interested in this kind of gadgetbahn stuff, I would recommend tuning in.