HYPERLOOP- Bringing Space-Tech down to Earth

With the emergence of the technology from the times, Humans have covered a long journey of crawling on the earth to flying in the space. From the foot, bullock carts, cycles to modern high-speed bullet trains and fighter jets covering all modes from roads, waterways to air. With this advancement human race also has suffered the drawbacks of these technologies in the parallel. Among accidents, pollution in terms of air, water, noise, etc. have also created a havoc in the modern society. The innovation of the IC-engine has completely changed the paradigm of transportation but the various pollution due to these forced humans to turn towards cleaner and electricity-based vehicles.

Elon Musk - The Genius of Modern Era.

The concept of Hyperloop has revolutionized the world in terms of transportation. In this technology the passengers sitting in the pod and stations called as portal. This will be floating in the airtight vacuum steel tubes which will reduce the friction and drag due to air. This will turn the travel time from several hours to a matter of minutes. It seems like a science fiction but going to be reality in the coming years.

First white paper model presentation by Elon Musk.

 

The idea was originally was given in 2012 by Tesla and SpaceX founder, Elon Musk. His initial concept incorporated reduced-pressure tubes in which pressurized capsules ride on air bearings driven by linear induction motors and axial compressors attaining speed of around 1200km/hr.

Elon Musk addressing the Pod competition

Elon Musk made this concept of super high-speed model of transportation open to everyone and invited companies to analyse the concept and present their independent model. Since then world top companies and scientists are in the race to commercialise the hyperloop using their cutting-edge engineering.Virgin Hyperloop one and Hyperloop Transportation Technology are far ahead in the race of commercialising the model. Has achieved speed if 1220 km/hr.

Hyperloop pod - using Magnetic levitation and  vacuum.

VIRGIN HYPERLOOP ONE, American transportation technology company.Virgin Hyperloop One is working on his ambition to get hyperloop in operation by 2021.

Virgin Hyperloop One slighting modified the concept given by the Elon Musk in the following two steps:

1.      Magnetic levitation (or "MagLev"): Technology already used in monorails to lift the passenger pods and move them along their rails. Magnetic levitation uses two sets of magnets. one to repel the train from the track and lift it upwards and the other to move the floating train along the track at considerable speed with reduced friction.

2.      Low Pressure use: Vacuum sealed environment helps the pods face little to no resistance as they move. Air pressures in the tubes is somewhat like flying 60 km above sea level. the pods to reach speeds of over 1200 kmph.

Current progress of Hyperloop in the world :

Arguably leading the pack having constructed the world’s first full-scale test track in the Nevada desert, Virgin Hyperloop One saw their proposal to build a USD $10BN route between Pune and Mumbai declared an official “public infrastructure project” in 2019.

Saudi Arabia is also in talks with Virgin Hyperloop One, with the company preparing to build a manufacturing plant and 35-kilometre test track north of Jeddah. It is the first country to carry out the pre-feasibility at national level anywhere in the world. With the solar panels on the tube’s exterior it will strategies the 50% clean energy.

10 routes among five countries 

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) is also planning a system in the Middle East for 150-kilometre route between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, that would cut the travel time to just 15minutes.The firm, which has its own full-scale test track in France, has announced plans to begin passenger trials later in 2020, with work on commercial operations expected to commence in 2023.

Middle Eastern proposals look promising, HTT’s best chance of winning the race lies in the United States (US). A hyperloop journey from Chicago to Cleveland would take just over half an hour and people can in one city and can work in the another. The project in under Environment impact assessment and route will be operational by 2028.

North America, proposals to construct a hyperloop between Mexico City and Guadalajara – cutting the six-hour car journey down to 38 minutes.

Hardt Hyperloop is leading the way with its own European Hyperloop Centre in Groningen, with construction due to complete in 2022.According to Hardt, the centre will house the first high-speed test track in Europe and a laboratory where developers can share knowledge on standards, safety and passenger experience. Hardt also plans to have its own 10-15-kilometre pilot route built by 2023 and aims to operate commercial lines by 2028 – a target that it admits is ambitious. Hardt envisions a future where every major European city is connected by hyperloop and where journeys between key hubs such as Amsterdam and Frankfurt become easily commutable.

India currently:

Maharashtra former CM Devendra Fadnavis  visited Hyperloop test site.

In India it was proposed to build its 1^st hyperloop from Mumbai to Pune to cut down the journey time from 3.5hrs to just 35minutes for distance of 117.5km by 2026. The idea was put on hold due to change in govt. but not scrapped completely. Virgin’s Sir Richard Branson has recently met with India’s Union Transport Minister to propose another route connecting New Delhi with Mumbai.

Avishkar Hyperloop - student team from IIT Madras

Avishkar Hyperloop, the student team from the Centre For Innovation (CFI) at IIT Madras, was the only Asian team to enter the final of the "SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition 2019" held in Los Angeles on July 21. Avishkar Hyperloop, is working on an indigenous design and development for building the first-ever self-propelled, completely autonomous Hyperloop Pod in India.

Still India has a chance to be the first one to construct Hyperloop.