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Hyperloop One Hits 192 MPH in Recent Test

A Hyperloop system is a conceptual mode of passenger and freight transportation that propels a pod-like vehicle through a near-vacuum tube at more than airline speed.

(TNS) -- Accelerating their quest to bring a new high-speed mode of travel to life, Hyperloop One officials said they achieved a faster speed and a longer distance in a second round of testing Saturday at its North Las Vegas track.

The Hyperloop One XP-1, the company's first-generation pod, accelerated for 984 feet of the 1,640-foot track, gliding above the track using magnetic levitation before braking and coming to a gradual stop, according to a Hyperloop One press release.

"This is the beginning, and the dawn of a new era of transportation," said Shervin Pishevar, executive chairman and co-founder of Hyperloop One. "We've reached historic speeds of 310 km (192 mph) an hour, and we're excited to finally show the world the XP-1 going into the Hyperloop One tube.."

The entire system was tested, including the highly efficient electric motor, advanced controls and power electronics, custom magnetic levitation and guidance, pod suspension and vacuum system, the press release stated.

A Hyperloop system is a conceptual mode of passenger and freight transportation, introduced by Tesla chief executive officer and SpaceX founder Elon Musk in 2013, which propels a pod-like vehicle through a near-vacuum tube at more than airline speed and is capable of connecting to all modes of existing transportation. Hyperloop One, which is developing a test site at Apex in North Las Vegas, hopes to transport freight via its tubes by 2020 and people by 2021.

"We've proven that our technology works, and we're now ready to enter into discussions with partners, customers and governments around the world about the full commercialization of our Hyperloop technology," said Rob Lloyd, Hyperloop One chief executive officer. "We're excited about the prospects and the reception we've received from governments around the world to help solve their mass transportation and infrastructure challenges."

Phase 2 vs. Phase 1

  • Faster speed (192 mph in Phase 2; 69 mph in Phase 1)
  • Farther distance (1,433 feet; 315 feet)
  • Longer propulsion segment (194 feet; 98 feet)
  • More power to the pod (3,151 horsepower; 891 horsepower)
©2017 the Las Vegas Sun (Las Vegas, Nev.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.