Hyperloop One Test Update: Propulsion System Hits 116 mph in 1.1 Seconds On First Public Demonstration in Nevada

By Mark Aserit
Hyperloop One
A sled recovery vehicle moves a test sled back to the starting position following a propulsion open-air test at Hyperloop One in North Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. May 11, 2016. REUTERS/Steve Marcus REUTERS

In the next couple of years, it will be possible to travel from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in just 20 minutes. Hyperloop One, a Los Angeles-based startup, has taken a step towards that goal with its first public test of the supersonic transport system in front of investors, journalists and employees.

Now, we'll give information on how does Elon Musk's Hyperloop work and details about its first public testing.

Hyperloop One aims to build a transport system that can carry passengers inside steel vacuum tubes at 750 miles per hour. On Tuesday, the company unveiled the prototype of the high-speed transportation system. The Guardian reported the public demonstration involved 10-foot sled with a propulsion motor that blasted for about two seconds at a speed of 116 miles per hour. The sled glided for 1,000 feet before being slowed by a sand bank.

The test only lasted for two seconds but it could be the start of supersonic travel. The company's goal of traveling from San Francisco to Los Angeles in less than 30 minutes is still a long way, but the Tuesday's demonstration showed the capabilities of technology. The spectators who watched from the bleachers got a chance to witness the future of transportation.

Hyperloop One said they are building a more complete system that will be tested by the end of 2016. Forbes reported massive steel tubes are now installing in the Nevada desert in preparation for the transport system's track. Once completed, the sled will blast at about 400 miles per hour, according to Hyperloop One co-founder Brogan BamBrogan.

Additionally, Hyperloop One CEO Rob Lloyd said they need the cooperation of state, county and city officials in Nevada to speed up the project. The CEO reveals the company plans to transport cargo by 2019 and ferry passengers by 2021.

The concept of Hyperloop travel came from Tesla CEO Elon Musk. He describes the system as a cross between "a Concorde, a railgun and an air hockey table." It is inspired from the very high speed transit (VHST) system proposed in 1972 which combines magnetic technology and a low pressure transit tube. Musk likened the transport system to a vacuum tube system in a building used to move documents from place to place.

Certainly, Hyperloop has the potential to solve many problems in long-distance travels.

Watch the footage of Hyperloop's first public demonstration below.

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