Remember Musk's hyperloop? A European company has just completed its first vehicle test for the next-gen mobility tech!

Elon Musk’s hyperloop has been rubberbanding between revolutionary and a literal pipe dream since the SpaceX founder popularised the concept over a decade ago. However, many companies have diligently kept at it, with one recently hitting a major milestone. Let’s look at the breakthrough that marks an important step in developing this high-speed transportation system that could reshape future travel.

But first, what is the hyperloop?

The hyperloop is a proposed transportation system in which passenger pods would travel through vacuum-sealed tubes at extremely high speeds — estimated to run at over a 1000 kilometres an hour! Introducing the concept in 2012, Musk envisioned a transportation solution where pods would use magnetic levitation and air bearings to travel at remarkable speeds with minimal air resistance. The low-pressure environment within the tubes would make the system highly energy efficient while slashing travel times between major cities.

Though Musk initiated the idea, his direct involvement in hyperloop development has been sporadic. Instead, he opened the technology to the world, encouraging companies and universities to take the idea forward. Over the years, various organisations have attempted to make the hyperloop a reality.

What happened in the new test?

The latest breakthrough comes from a September 2024 test by Hardt Hyperloop in the Netherlands. In this test, the capsule was successfully levitated and propelled inside a 420-metre-long tube using magnetic fields and a depressurised environment. The vehicle reached a modest speed of about 30 kmph in this initial test over 100 metres, while the goal is to eventually achieve speeds of 700 kmph.

"The most difficult things that we are doing now is to test all of these functions together. Levitation, propulsion, guidance, all of those functions we are now capable of executing as an orchestra, making them work together," explains Roel van de Pas, commercial director of Hardt Hyperloop. The company aims to implement passenger operations by 2030, though the technology still faces challenges like high infrastructure costs.

International hyperloop advances and India’s stance

China has also made strides in hyperloop technology. In 2023, China’s maglev hyperloop capsule reportedly reached speeds of 623 kilometres per hour in a controlled environment. With China’s rapid pace of technological development and infrastructure expansion, it has positioned itself as a strong competitor in the global race to perfect hyperloop technology.

Several countries beyond China are also advancing hyperloop research. In the United States, the Hyperloop One conducted a manned test in 2020, reaching speeds of over 160 kmph. The pod even had two daring passengers — Virgin Hyperloop’s co-founder Josh Giegel and Head of Passenger Experience Sara Luchian. Unfortunately, the company has now shut down, despite being one of the most promising and well-funded hyperloop startups since the introduction of the concept.

However, if you’re waiting for the futuristic tech to arrive in India, you’re going to have to wait quite a while longer. Expressing a cautious stance on hyperloop development, NITI Aayog member V. K. Saraswat explained that India is unlikely to see hyperloop trains anytime soon due to the high infrastructure costs and uncertain feasibility for mass transport applications. As per Saraswat, the tech is still at a “low level of maturity”.

While the hyperloop has long been touted as a revolutionary transit system, its path to reality has been slow and uncertain. The technology still faces major obstacles, including high costs, regulatory hurdles, and the challenge of building extensive tube networks across countries. However, the recent successful tests, coupled with China’s progress, offer hope that this ambitious project might eventually come to fruition.