The Hyperloop or the transport that could make you travel from Seville to Barcelona in less than an hour

Transportation, as we know it today, is very different from what it was in the past and what it will be in the future because it is a technology that continues to develop. And no, we are not talking about going from ICE cars to electric cars, it goes much further.

Imagine traveling through Spain from end to end in less than an hour without having to take a plane. That may seem impossible to you, but it could be a reality thanks to the Hyperloop.

You may have never heard of the Hyperloop, or you have but you are not very clear about what it is. In this article, we will talk about this means of transport and how it could work.

What is the Hyperloop?

The Hyperloop or supersonic capsule is a means of transport that consists of a vacuum-sealed tube through which a capsule or wagon (with a capacity of 30 people) travels without resistance to air or friction. Thanks to this, the capsule will be able to travel at about 1,200 kilometers per hour.

The idea of the Hyperloop was presented in 2013 by Elon Musk, director of the Tesla and SpaceX companies. Through a 57-page manual that was published on the SpaceX website, he introduced us to the idea of the Hyperloop. However, he left this idea so that other companies could develop it since right now SpaceX is focused on space travel.

Although it is true that they have left the idea in the hands of whoever wants to develop it, SpaceX has held various contests and contests so that different engineers and students can propose their ideas and designs. In this way, ideas can be collected to finally create a viable Hyperloop.

How does the Hyperloop work?

It is hard to imagine a means of transport similar to a train that is capable of reaching these speeds, making the distance between Seville and Barcelona (about 990 kilometers) a joke.

The idea of this transport is that there is no friction between the wagon and the rails, which is what will allow the capsule to travel long distances in a short time. To avoid friction it is necessary for the capsule to levitate inside the tube at low pressure, and this is achieved by means of magnetic levitation.

To understand what magnetic levitation is, we have to remember all those times we have tried to bring two magnets together and they repelled each other. In the case of the Hyperloop, the bottom of the capsule is lined with magnets that repel the material the tube is made of, causing the capsule to levitate.

It is basically what the maglev or magnetic levitation train does, the difference is that the Hyperloop does not have the problem of air resistance, which would also slow it down since it is a vacuum tube.

The capsules will integrate electric motors to move and the idea is that this electricity comes from solar energy, so that we will have a supersonic transport that will not pollute the environment.

Hyperloop Benefits

Sure, the Hyperloop isn't being developed just to see who can create the fastest transport first, but because it has some benefits.

For example, although the plane is also a fast means of transportation, it still uses fuel that is harmful to the environment. The hyperloop, by using renewable energy, does not pollute.

On the other hand, plane tickets are very expensive, and, at least, the idea that Elon Musk has is that this type of transport is much cheaper. In addition, the fact of arriving faster with the Hyperloop will mean that we take the car less and that traffic will be reduced, as well as accidents and pollution.

And of course, things like living in one city and working in another are much more viable, since you can get to work in a very short time.

Does the Hyperloop exist right now?

Existing as such does exist, but it is in the testing phase as there are many things to resolve.

There are many companies that compete to develop the Hyperloop, for example, we have Hyperloop One, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, and Transport and the latest news is from China Aerospace.

China Aerospace's Hyperloop has already completed its first feasibility tests, but it has only managed to reach 50 kilometers per hour over a distance of 210 meters. Still, it's pretty impressive given that it's a project that started just over a year ago. It would not be strange that in the future they manage to increase the speed and make it possible.

The fact is that right now there are projects, and we will still have to wait to find out if the Hyperloop is finally possible. But if it were, there is no doubt that it will be a before and after in land transport.