Technology

Hyperloop needs some Motor City know-how

A rendering of what a Hyperloop capsule might look like as passengers board it in a future station. The capsule would ride on a cushion of air in low-pressure tubes, says Brogan BamBrogan, Hyperloop's chief technology officer.
April 18, 2016 05:00 AM
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Hyperloop concept
Vehicles: Pressurized capsules that could carry 20-30 passengers or freight “Highway”: Tubes with very low air pressure Top speed: Around 700 mph Propulsion: Electric linear induction motors and air compressors First prototype: May run by year end in North Las Vegas, Nev. Concept: Originally proposed by Elon Musk
OEM06_160419901_H2_-1_FGHRLLVFSNOT.jpg Hyperloop's Brogan BamBrogan
Brogan BamBroganHyperloop

"This is real. This is happening. We're developing this technology. We're calling this our Kitty Hawk moment."

DETROIT — With his bushy mustache, jeans, tennis shoes and made-up name, Brogan BamBrogan is straight out of central casting as a 21st century technology disruptor. He turned up at the SAE World Congress last week touting Hyperloop, a concept proposed in 2013 by Elon Musk that would move passengers and freight in pods through partial-vacuum tubes at near supersonic speeds.

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