Virgin Hyperloop Completes First Passenger Test Ride in Las Vegas
Virgin Hyperloop successfully transports its first human passengers in a levitating pod, reaching speeds of 172 km/h. This milestone test brings the company closer to its goal of revolutionizing high-speed travel.
Virgin Hyperloop achieves a major milestone by completing the world's first passenger ride on its super high-speed levitating pod system. Two company executives ride the pod at the DevLoop test site in Las Vegas, reaching speeds of up to 172 km/h. This successful test serves as a crucial safety demonstration for a technology that aims to completely transform both human and cargo transportation.
The Los Angeles-based company envisions a future where passenger and cargo pods float through vacuum tubes at speeds of 966 km/h or faster. Using magnetic levitation for near-silent travel, this system promises to make a trip between New York and Washington take just 30 minutes. At those projected speeds, the hyperloop is twice as fast as a commercial jet and four times faster than a high-speed train.
Prior to this historic passenger run, Virgin Hyperloop conducts over 400 uncrewed tests at the Nevada facility. This manned test follows a recent announcement that the company plans to build a $500-million US certification centre and test track in West Virginia. Virgin Hyperloop now focuses its efforts on achieving full safety certification by 2025 to bring this futuristic transport system to the public.