Back in time when we thought of futuristic mode of transportation, we imagined flying cars, trains running at the speed of light and space ships. Well, the future is here now, in the form of Hyperloop! Read on to understand this fifth mode of world transportation.

• Birth of an idea: Hyperloop was first pitched by Elon Musk in 2013, which is based on a 100-year-old idea of developing a car that would run by air compression. Hyperloop will use pneumatic tube technology which uses compressed air or partial vacuum technology to transport objects like moving books in a library or mail delivery system in Paris.
• Hyperloop is different: The Hyperloop pods are meant to run at 750 mph inside a tunnel. This is achieved by removing most of the air inside the tunnel to reduce friction. The second source of friction that is wheels are also removed. The pods are meant to float on air skis using the magnetic levitation technology. Isn’t it fascinating!
• Hyperloop will be cheaper than the cost of running a bullet train: While setting up the initial infrastructure will be expensive, the cost to maintain and run Hyperloop will be the much lower vis-à-vis bullet train. It will be quick to build and will offer a cleaner way to mass transportation. And the cost of a 900-km journey is estimated to be as low as 20 dollars!
• The Hyperloop design is open source: Elon Musk in an attempt to encourage startups has kept the Hyperloop design open source. Several companies in America and Europe have begun work on test routes. In India, Hyperloop services may be a possibility by the year 2029. Which means a road trip that takes 16 hours may be completed in less than 2 hours!
• Hyperloop design is self-sustaining: Solar energy will be the primary source of running and maintaining Hyperloop. We will have solar-powered compressors running Hyperloop tubes, and we will have energy storage capacitors lined on the tubes, ensuring we have uninterrupted power supply even in cloudy conditions. So, no more delayed travel in future!
• Hyperloop will be the mode of transportation on Mars: Elon Musk’s idea of Hyperloop suits very well with Mars transportation because the density of Mars atmosphere is just 1% of Earth’s so no need to build tubes as there is negligible air resistance. Moreover, as there is no oxygen on Mars, all transportation has to be electric!

So, are you ready for this futuristic transportation? Wait till 2030 then!