The Hyperloop is heading to India
Such headlines capture eyeballs; some skeptical with a raised eyebrow, others jubilant with great expectations, and a glazed look by many with no idea what it means. For a country like India, mass rapid transportation has been but a dream. The advent of metros, low-cost air travel, dedicated freight corridors have no doubt reduced congestion on our roads and railways. But, for the large part, they have not been able to cope with the rising aspirations, burgeoning population, mass migration and rapid industrialization India is facing today.
But, what is the hyperloop? Is it a crazy idea with no real practical applications? Or is it going to change the face of transportation as we know it? And, what does it mean for India?
Hyperloop – Hype or Happening?
The idea, though not entirely new, was first proposed in its modern form by Elon Musk through an open source white paper. The primary challenge that prevents vehicles from moving faster is friction. Whether it is the tires hitting the ground or the plane fighting against the wind, resistance in any form puts limitations as to the maximum speed that can be attained. Ideas have been regularly proposed for quite some time about traveling in a vacuum tube, and some of the earlier transportation systems such as the London Underground did use vac. The problem is that it is near impossible to make a vacuum tube cost effective.
That’s when Elon Musk stepped in and proposed a system of transportation that would be magnetically propelled, by placing smart transportation pods inside a near vacuum tube by using a motorized suction pump. This tube would be insulated from weather changes, have low energy costs and need little maintenance. The tube could be either under or above the ground as situation permits. Where the tubes are above the ground, the idea is to power it with solar energy, making it free of emissions.
While these all seem to be in the realm of science fiction, two companies Virgin Hyperloop One and Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) are leading the pack in making this a reality. They have signed contracts with numerous governments across the world, including India. Musk himself has indicated that he was disappointed with the slow progress of the hyperloop and might throw his hat into the ring, with the help of his Boring Company.
The India Connection
Of the two major players, Virgin Hyperloop One – which is backed by Sir Richard Branson – has already struck a deal with the government of Maharashtra that proposes to connect Mumbai with Pune in 25 minutes (which is neat for a journey of 160 km). In its study, the company believes it can support about 150 million passenger trips and result in economic benefits worth $55 bn via cost savings through reduced fuel consumption, emissions, accidents and increase in operational efficiency. Similar routes connecting Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram have been proposed. And Hyperloop One is not the only player eyeing India either. US-backed HTT has inked an MoU with Andhra Pradesh to build a loop between the new state capital Amaravati and Vijayawada.
It is being predicted that hyperloops in the 21st century can become what railways were in the 20th century to spur India’s economic growth. Besides the obvious benefit of moving people and cargo across the sub-continent in a faster and more efficient manner, connecting India’s major cities with its outskirts and rural towns can also ease congestion and reduce overcrowding in cities as people may migrate back to their home towns rather than stay near the city. There is also the added benefit of extending economic advantages to the hinterlands of India, many of which are still stuck in the past.
However, to come back to reality, it must be said that these are only early steps and the development of the hyperloop may take years to become a reality. From regulatory clearances to capital investment, many hurdles need to be crossed before work can begin. The technology has not met up with expectations with regard to top speeds (One Hyperloop’s latest test was able to hit a top speed of 240 km/hr; nowhere close to beat air travel). The cost per kilometer too seems to be spiraling out of control. And the final challenge, when it comes to that, is will passengers be ready to step into one and at what cost?
More to it than Meets the Eye
While the revolutionary nature of the hyperloop and the deals inked and the billions being spent are grabbing the headlines, one aspect which has not yet been explored is the software side of things. The hyperloop will require tremendous software support, especially though IoT based devices to communicate throughout the journey.
For instance, Hyperloop One has unveiled its new mobile application designed to help passengers book a ride. But it doesn’t stop there; it creates an end-to-end experience right from the passenger’s doorstep to her ultimate destination. More so, we see more applications being developed to help with logistics, signaling, navigation, etc. to be developed to make the hyperloop work as a system of mass transportation. Hyperloop One had to team up with HERE technologies to bring out the app, and we expect many more such partnerships in developing the associated technology in making hyperloops accessible to the masses.
In conclusion, the hyperloop is in a phase similar to what the Internet was in the 90s. There will be bloodbaths as bubbles burst, but in the end the technology will find its feet to carry the world forward.
