Hyperloop One Full-Scale Passenger Pod Breaks Tops Record At 192 MPH On Nevada Test Track

Hyperloop One may one day rule modern long-range transportation. For now, it is a work in progress and things seem to be going relatively smooth, and fast—Hyperloop One's first generation XP-1 pod just recently set a personal speed record by traveling up to 310 km/h (192 mph) during a 500 meter (1,640 ft) test run at its full-scale test track in Nevada.

That is the fastest speed ever achieved by Hyperloop and even trumps test runs performed by research organizations participating in SpaceX's pod design competition. It was actually achieved within a 300 meter acceleration phase. The remaining 200 meters were used for gradual braking so that the Hyperloop One could slow down and ultimately come to a full stop.


For this test run, the tube was depressurized down to conditions equivalent of air at 200,000 feet above sea level. According to Hyperloop One, everything tested successfully during the speed run, including mechanical components such as the electric motor, advanced controls and electronics, vacuum system, pod suspension, and custom magnetic levitation mechanism.

"We’ve proven that our technology works, and we’re now ready to enter into discussions with partners, customers and governments around the world about the full commercialization of our Hyperloop technology," said Hyperloop One CEO Rob Lloyd. "We’re excited about the prospects and the reception we’ve received from governments around the world to help solve their mass transportation and infrastructure challenges."

Hyperloop One allows for passengers and cargo to be loaded into a pod and transported at fast speeds. Acceleration is gradual via electric propulsion through a low pressure tub. The pod quickly lifts above the track using magnetic levitation and glides at airline speeds for long distances due to ultra-low aerodynamic drag.