Virgin Hyperloop completes first manned test

Virgin Hyperloop’s new transportation solution is one step closer to real realization: Sunday evening, US local time, they successfully completed the first manned test at the DevLoop test site in Nevada. Company co-founder Josh Giegel and head of passenger experience Sara Luchian brought a cabin of the capsule through a tunnel with a total length of 500 meters: officially, this achievement represents a new milestone in the development of technology transport of the vacuum tube.

Before participating in the test ride, both Giegel and Luchian conducted a lot of training and tests beforehand to ensure their bodies can reach the most ideal conditions. The choice of Giegel as the first passenger naturally reflects Virgin Hyperloop’s confidence in their technology from the side, and Luchian is one of 40 employees who volunteered to take the test. Prior to the test, Virgin Hyperloop told us that both had gone through the tunnel early under the guidance of on-site personnel and had a good understanding of emergency exits and response measures. And they will keep in touch with the console during the test.

The test used the second-generation Pegasus Pod Hyperloop capsule, codenamed XP-2, which can carry two passengers, and a five-point seat belt similar to a race car will be provided on the seat. The speed of the capsule is limited to about 172 kilometers per hour, this to ensure the driving experience during acceleration and deceleration, while the 500 meter long tunnel is not enough to complete the acceleration. In the test conducted in late 2017, the Virgin Hyperloop reached a top speed of approximately 386 kilometers per hour, and the fastest manned test may not be expected until another test site in West Virginia is completed. .

“For us, this is an achievement like the moon landing,” the Virgin Hyperloop rep told us. From a technical point of view, the success of the manned test means that the next stage of development can be advanced. From a commercial point of view, this will naturally be more favorable for Virgin Hyperloop in attracting new investments.