High-speed train company Hyperloop One shuts down

Hyperloop One, renowned for its groundbreaking concept of high-speed travel through vacuum tubes, has officially shut down. Originating from Elon Musk’s visionary idea, the company aimed to revolutionize transportation by significantly reducing journey times through its high-speed concept.

Initially backed by Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin, Hyperloop One faced challenges, prompting Branson to withdraw support last year. According to Bloomberg, the company is set to lay off its remaining staff by the end of the year.

The core of Hyperloop One’s vision lay in utilizing magnetic levitation (Maglev) technology within vacuum tubes to minimize friction and air resistance, potentially enabling speeds of up to 700 mph. The concept, which promised greener and more efficient travel, involved building prototypes in the Nevada desert.

However, the ambitious project encountered various challenges, including doubts about its engineering feasibility and the significant logistical hurdles of constructing giant tubes across diverse terrains. Engineering limitations, such as the inability to navigate corners, further contributed to the project’s setbacks.

The closure of Hyperloop One underscores the difficulties faced by the company and raises doubts about the feasibility of implementing this ambitious vision for high-speed, green transportation. Despite early promise, the project has stalled, marking the end of Hyperloop One’s pursuit of transforming the future of travel.