First Hyperloop Passenger ride successful

The Virgin Hyperloop that plans to connect Mumbai and Pune in 25 minutes has conducted its first successful passenger ride. The test was conducted in Las Vegas.

Hyperloop

The Hyperloop is a new mode of transport that speeds up to 1000 kilometres per hour. The idea was conceived by Tesla and SpaceX in 2012. There are several companies that are working on the technology. However, Virgin Hyperloop is the only one that is develop the transport in India.

About the Technology

In the technology, the capsules or pods are to be zipped in to a continuous steel tubes that are held at partial vacuum. The pod is supported between an air compressor in the front and a battery compartment in the back. The skis of the hyperloop eliminates rolling resistance of the hyperloop. IT allows movement of pods at high speeds. They are driverless vehicles. They are electronically assisted to accelerated.

Concerns

The small-scale experiments have been giving success news. However, in real world there are tens of thousands of kilograms of atmospheric pressure that threatens to crush the chamber. Also, there are problems of thermal expansion that threatens to buckle large structure without proper thermal expansion capabilities. The Hyperloop technology is highly expensive.

However, it is cheaper as compared to the high-speed rail technology. The operational and capital costs of Hyperloop is two-thirds of high-speed rail.

Advantages

The technology is completely autonomous and sealed. The vehicle is noiseless as the motion does not involve any contact. The tunnels of hyperloop are to be built either below or above the ground. Thus, this transport technology will take smaller ground foot prints as compared to the traditional road and rail transports.

The IIT Madras recently conducted Hyperloop contest to encourage young engineers of the country in developing the technology.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2020