Couertsy: en.wikipedia.org

A hyperloop is a proposed high-speed transportation system for both public and goods transport.^[1] The term was popularized by Elon Musk to describe a modern project based on the vactrain concept (first appearance 1799).^[2] Hyperloop designs employ three essential components: tubes, pods, and terminals.^[1] The tube is a large sealed, low-pressure system (usually a long tunnel). The pod is a coach pressurized at atmospheric pressure that runs substantially free of air resistance or friction inside this tube,^[3] using aerodynamic or magnetic propulsion. The terminal handles pod arrivals and departures.^[1] The Hyperloop, in the initial form proposed by Musk, differs from vactrains by relying on residual air pressure inside the tube to provide lift by aerofoils and propulsion by fans.^[4]

The hyperloop has its roots in a concept by George Medhurst in 1799 and subsequently developed under the names pneumatic railway, atmospheric railway or vactrain.^[5] Elon Musk renewed interest in hyperloop after mentioning it in a 2012 speaking event.^[6] Musk further promoted the concept by publishing a white paper in August 2013, which conceived of a hyperloop route running from the Los Angeles region to the San Francisco Bay Area, roughly following the Interstate 5 corridor.^[4] His initial concept incorporated reduced-pressure tubes in which pressurized capsules ride on air bearings driven by linear induction motors and axial compressors.^[7] Transportation analysts challenged the cost estimates included in the white paper, with some predicting that a realized hyperloop would be several billion dollars over budget.^[8][9][10]

The hyperloop concept has been promoted by Musk and SpaceX, and other companies or organizations have been encouraged to collaborate and develop the technology.^[11] Technical University of Munich Hyperloop set the hyperloop speed record of 463 km/h (288 mph) in July 2019^[12][13] at the pod design competition hosted by SpaceX in Hawthorne, California.^[14] Virgin Hyperloop conducted the first human trial in November 2020 at its test site in Las Vegas, reaching a top speed of 172 km/h (107 mph).^[15]