Hyperloop One rival unveils new designs for high-speed transport system

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) has revealed the initial designs for its high-speed transport system’s capsules, which will transport passengers between cities at speeds of more than 700mph if the project is successful.

HTT is a rival company to Hyperloop One, which is headed up by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Both companies are in the process of developing technologies capable of transporting people or cargo at near-supersonic speed in vacuum-sealed pods.

While Hyperloop One has started construction on a test track in the Nevada desert near Las Vegas, carrying out its first public prototype test at the site in May 2016, HTT has opted to initially focus on developing Hyperloop’s passenger capsule.

“World’s first full scale passenger Hyperloop capsule”

HTT has revealed that it is now starting construction work on the pod. It is working with Spanish aerospace and automotive engineering company Carbures to manufacture them.

“We are building the world’s first full scale passenger Hyperloop capsule,” says HTT CEO Dirk Ahlborn.

The proposed pod is the “culmination of over three years and thousands of hours of design, research, and analysis,” says HTT.

Transport up to 164,000 passengers daily

Measuring 2.7 metres wide and 30 metres long, the designs show that the pod would be able to hold 28-40 passengers – up to 164,000 daily – and travel at speeds of 760 mph.

HTT is also currently building an 8,000-metre test track in Quay Valley, California.

The finished design for HTT’s first passenger capsule is set to be officially unveiled in 2018.