One of two companies aiming to put Elon Musk's dream of a high-speed transport system come true has finally made its first test off in the Nevada desert.
Hyperloop One released a sled-like car on its man-made track as part of a series of first tests for the transport technology less than a day ago, according to Reuters. At about 160 kph (100 miles), the test vehicle sped across the Nevada desert via electromagnets powering it and the California company that conducted the said test could not be more excited for future tests.
SpaceX founder and Tesla CEO Musk had not held back on saying that high-speed pods can bring people to and fro San Fransisco and L.A. a few years' back, and Hyperloop One plans to do just that.
Former engineer at SpaceX and Hyperloop co-founder Brogan BamBrogan said that the test was a huge milestone. The company has announced receiving up to $80 million in funding for the program from GE Ventures, French National Rail Company SNCF and Khosla Ventures.
The short ride through the Nevada desert was just the beginning, according to the company, with its next plans included sleds being able to levitate and carry pods in another test scheduled within the year. Images from the Hyperloop One's first test also showed pretty huge tubes already in place in the desert.
Rob Lloyd, Hyperloop One CEO, predicts the hyperloop carrying cargo 3 years from now and then live people by 2021. He adds that the company is now working on utilizing robots to yield fast construction of the test site.
In a related US Today report, the Hyperloop One's first test was evidence of it just being a mere concept: that it can be done.
Although the test was very swift, at about 2 seconds, the company's founders agreed that it was a lot to take in already. The company is optimistic on the notion that the technology could be developed in an affordable manner, with less grappling on high costs like those of high-tech trains and rail systems.
