Hyperloop is a new form of ground transport currently in development by a number of companies in different countries. Once it is commercialised, one can see passengers travelling at over 1100 Kilometers an hour in a floating pod which races along inside giant low-pressure tubes, either above or below ground.
How is Hyperloop different?
There are two big differences between Hyperloop and traditional rail. Firstly, the pods carrying passengers travel through tubes or tunnels from which most of the air has been removed to reduce friction. This enables the pods to travel at a speed up to 1200 Kilometers per hour.
According to Elon Musk, Hyperloop would be extra useful on Mars as no tubes would be needed because Mars’ atmosphere is about one per cent the density of the Earth’s at sea level. For the Hyperloop concept to work on Earth, low-pressure tubes are required to reduce air....