Virgin Hyperloop to Focus on Cargo, Not People

[upnorth]

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https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60478719

Virgin Hyperloop, a futuristic train service that promised a new era of travel for passengers, will be focusing on cargo instead, it has revealed.

The company told BBC News the change in direction was due to global supply-chain issues and Covid. The Financial Times, which first reported the story, said it had also laid off more than 100 staff members. Experts have expressed doubts about the engineering challenges and practicalities of Hyperloop travel. The company said: "The global supply chain has experienced dramatic changes in the past year, due in part to the worldwide pandemic. "Virgin Hyperloop as a company is responding to strong customer demand for a cargo-based hyperloop system and is focusing its resources on delivering this product."

Virgin is the only company to have completed a successful passenger ride using hyperloop technology so far. It took two passengers - both company staff - on a 500m test-track, reaching speeds of 107mph (172km/h) in November 2020. But many felt the technology was more hype than Hyperloop. At present, the transport system is unable to cope with corners, so the tracks have to run in a straight line. Moreover, the costs of building such systems at scale would run into the billions.

Virgin Hyperloop to focus on cargo, not people

The futuristic transport firm is changing direction and laying off staff, blaming the pandemic.

www.bbc.com