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Elon Musk is building a five-mile Hyperloop test track

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G

GK86

Homeland Security Fail
Link. Searched and didn't see a thread.

Elon Musk has announced a new step forward in the Hyperloop project. Speaking onstage at the Texas Transportation forum, Musk announced the development of a test facility for the innovative air-rail system, including a five-mile track. A location has yet to be confirmed, but Musk said it would be "most likely in Texas." It's unclear when Musk's test facility would open, but when it does, it will be the first physical incarnation of the idea he unveiled 18 months ago.

In subsequent tweets, Musk said the track would be used as a place "for companies and student teams to test out their pods," suggesting he'll be leaving the project open to any groups that want to work on it. A crowdfunded California project has already begun building models for possible Hyperloop pods, although they have yet to produce a working prototype. The team has also suggested modifications to Musk's initial design, like ventilating the tube with a mix of gases rather than simple air, but it's unlikely Musk's new test track will accommodate the changes.

The test track wouldn't address the Hyperloop's most serious challenges, like securing right-of-way while laying out a course straight enough to withstand the system's tremendous speeds, but it's an encouraging sign for anyone worried Musk had abandoned the idea entirely. The Tesla and SpaceX founder has rarely mentioned the Hyperloop project in the time since its initial announcement, putting more focus on the forthcoming Tesla Model 3 or SpaceX's ongoing struggle to safely land its Falcon rocket. But today's news of a test track suggests that Musk hasn't given up on the Hyperloop, and the dream of electromagnetically propelled transport is alive and well.
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O

Orbis Tabula

Member
Awesome. It's great that he has these ideas and just gives them away, but unfortunately, no one else seems willing to take the risks that he is, so he has to do the dirty work himself.
 
L

LeleSocho

Banned
TheLostBigBoss said:
Who cares, he's fucking Elon Musk
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The same Elon Musk who wasted 10 millions dollar because he thinks that one day an evil AI will rule the human race?

Just kidding I actually love the guy and what he is doing to the world so he can burn his 10m dollars however he wants.
 
I

iMax

Member
south-park-s18e07c12-customer-feedback-vindaloop_16x9.jpg
 
M

Max Armstrong

Member
This guy better start spending money on a real Iron Man suit because I feel somebody will want his head someday. He's becoming a threat to some big industries and I have a feeling he's pissing off a lot of people.
 
M

MauMau

Banned
ComputerMKII said:
How much is this even gonna cost?
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Musk quoted a price that was a fraction of the California HSR. Likely will cost more than his quote, but hopefully far less than California's HSR system.

I just hope it comes along fast enough to derail California's HSR project for something actually usable so we don't waste even more money.

I never understood why Brown is spending $68 billion dollars building on a transportation technology that is 30 years old when we should have something far better by now.
 
D

Deleted member 80556

Unconfirmed Member
Open for other groups and all? Man, I love this guy.
 
M

M0nochromatic

Member
I like the approach he takes. This needs to be here now, and you assholes need to speed it up so come share the track.

If he eventually takes over the world, I probably wouldn't mind. Hell, I'd vote Musk.
 
S

speculawyer

Member
Build this instead of high speed rail. Shoot for the moon.

The guy aims high and has hit his targets pretty well.

Let him put California in the lead.
 
R

robertsan21

Member
Elon musk, a true visionary on the right track.

We need to stop using Oil, its time to give something back to the planet. Hopefully soon electric cars that run as well as a tesla will start going down in price so more people can afford them. Its the future and its so much better than cars that use Oil.

Fuck these backwards thinking greedy companies that do nothing to combat the use of fossil fuel problem.
 
T

timetokill

Banned
I love it. Great approach.

I really hope this works. Of course, if it does it will make California's train project look even more outdated before it's done, but hey.
 
J

jamesinclair

Banned
speculawyer said:
Build this instead of high speed rail. Shoot for the moon.

The guy aims high and has hit his targets pretty well.

Let him put California in the lead.
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I expected better from you

The idea for the test facility is apparently in the very early stages as Musk said that “it sounded good last night after a couple of drinks.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...date-for-his-futuristic-hyperloop-test-track/
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Clearly we should cancel all other transportation projects because Elon got drunk and tweeted something. That obviously means the technology works and will be ready to go any day now.

Incidentally, his only goal in life is to rob the taxpayer

“We wouldn’t have come because it would have been quite rude to not offer us incentives,” Musk said. “A state has to show it really wants a company to be there.”
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B

BrokenEchelon

Banned
Could he build up Tesla to profitability first?

Possibly at least release an interior refresh for the Model S since his company seems incapable of producing a second vehicle?

I'm really getting fed up with this guy. He has business ADD.
 
V

Vilam

Maxis Redwood
MauMau said:
I just hope it comes along fast enough to derail California's HSR project for something actually usable so we don't waste even more money.
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Dear god I hope so. What an incredible waste of money and time California HSR is.
 
J

jayu26

Member
I wonder what's it like to work for the guy. I picture him as a Hank Scorpio type of character, except he is not hell bent on world domination... Or is he?
200_s.gif
 
J

jamesinclair

Banned
BrokenEchelon said:
Could he build up Tesla to profitability first?

Possibly at least release an interior refresh for the Model S since his company seems incapable of producing a second vehicle?

I'm really getting fed up with this guy. He has business ADD.
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Its not like the 2nd model is two years behind schedule...

Oh wait.

And people believe this guys ridiculous price and timeline claims on Hyperloop. He cant even build an SUV, which last I checked was sort of perfected 20 years ago.
 
P

Pastry

Banned
jamesinclair said:
Its not like the 2nd model is two years behind schedule...

Oh wait.

And people believe this guys ridiculous price and timeline claims on Hyperloop. He cant even build an SUV, which last I checked was sort of perfected 20 years ago.
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There is a difference between being able to build something and being able to build it profitably...
 
J

jamesinclair

Banned
Pastry said:
There is a difference between being able to build something and being able to build it profitably...
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I agree. Which is why his claims of being able to build a Hyperloop between SF and LA for $6bn in 6 years and turn a profit are even more ludicrous when the technology has never even been tested.

Look, Im excited to see the test track be built and be successful. It would be amazing if it worked. Revolutionary.

But lets not get ahead of ourselves here. All we have now is a guy who put together some napkin drawings 18 months ago and then had a few drinks which inspired him to build a test version.
 
B

bbdude

Member
I wonder how the general public would react to tech like this. Like will people be scared of this thing imploding from pressure
 
S

Septimus Prime

Member
MauMau said:
Musk quoted a price that was a fraction of the California HSR. Likely will cost more than his quote, but hopefully far less than California's HSR system.

I just hope it comes along fast enough to derail California's HSR project for something actually usable so we don't waste even more money.

I never understood why Brown is spending $68 billion dollars building on a transportation technology that is 30 years old when we should have something far better by now.
Click to expand...
HSR is going to happen. There's no way the state would abandon the project now, after it sunk so much money into it. If I remember right, when we voted on it, the projected cost was $7 billion.
 
N

neorej

ERMYGERD!
jamesinclair said:
Its not like the 2nd model is two years behind schedule...

Oh wait.

And people believe this guys ridiculous price and timeline claims on Hyperloop. He cant even build an SUV, which last I checked was sort of perfected 20 years ago.
Click to expand...

Sheez, did he sleep with your spous or something?
 
A

andycapps

Member
jamesinclair said:
I agree. Which is why his claims of being able to build a Hyperloop between SF and LA for $6bn in 6 years and turn a profit are even more ludicrous when the technology has never even been tested.

Look, Im excited to see the test track be built and be successful. It would be amazing if it worked. Revolutionary.

But lets not get ahead of ourselves here. All we have now is a guy who put together some napkin drawings 18 months ago and then had a few drinks which inspired him to build a test version.
Click to expand...

I think you're downplaying what he's accomplished thus far. What he's done with Space X is incredible, as is what he's done with Tesla. The problem with Tesla right now is that the batteries can't keep up with the cars. And it's likely also a bit with him being a perfectionist and delaying products. They are on the ground floor with a new technology, there are going to be delays.

But what's he's doing with the hyperloop idea is really awesome, and at least he's trying to invent cool things that would benefit mankind.
 
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