X
Innovation

​Virgin Hyperloop One hits new top speed

Virgin Hyperloop One sets a speed record and lands $50m in financing.
Written by Liam Tung, Contributing Writer

Virgin Hyperloop One has inched closer to its vision of a tube-based transport system that can move people at 700mph.

The transport company's latest test run at its DevLoop test site in Nevada achieved a top speed of 240mph (387kph). That's 50mph faster than its previous 190mph record set in August during Hyperloop One's first test using the XP-1 passenger pod.

The new speed record is still nowhere near the 700mph system Elon Musk described in his 2013 whitepaper, but faster than 220mph Musk's own 'pod push' achieved over the summer.

The company today also announced a new $50m round in funding to keep its futuristic transport ambitions afloat and the appointment of Richard Branson as non-executive chairman.

Hyperloop One rebranded as Virgin Hyperloop One in October after Virgin Group invested in the firm and Branson joined its board of directors. The new funding comes from existing investors Caspian Venture Capital and DP World.

phase-3-testingpreview.jpg

Hyperloop One's XP-1 pod entering the DevLoop test track.

Image: Virgin Hyperloop One

The new test run was completed on December 15 alongside tests of a range of new components, including a new airlock system that helps it achieve air pressure equivalent to 200,000 feet above sea level.

The combination of a near-vacuum tube combined with magnetic levitation is designed to minimize friction.

Virgin Hyperloop One says that with the new funding and latest test it is ready to move on to commercialization.

"We continue to see extremely strong interest from world leaders globally looking to embrace hyperloop to address critical infrastructure challenges. Our focus in 2018 will be on accelerating commercial agreements for both passenger and cargo projects," said Virgin Hyperloop One CEO Rob Lloyd.

The company has received interest in the concept from Europe and India but it remains to be seen whether it's a commercially viable technology.

Related coverage

Virgin Group makes strategic investment in Hyperloop One

The startup will be rebranded as Virgin Hyperloop One and Virgin founder Richard Branson will be joining the board.

Hyperloop One's fastest test yet: Passenger pod hits 192mph on debut run

Hyperloop One is ready to carry out testing outside the US following a successful first run of its XP-1 pod.

Hyperloop One's 'big breakthrough': Full system nails first vacuum tube test run

The firm says it's one step closer to bringing the Hyperloop to reality after its "Kitty Hawk moment".

Read more transport stories

Editorial standards