China has once again made headlines by breaking the speed record of its hyperloop train, surpassing its previous milestone of 623 kilometers per hour (387 mph) achieved last year. The feat was accomplished on a test track and orchestrated by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), a leading aerospace entity known for its work with rockets, missiles, and spacecraft.
While the precise velocity attained remains undisclosed and classified, reports from IFL Science suggest it is significantly higher, indicating a groundbreaking achievement in the realm of high-speed transportation.
The train operates on magnetic levitation (maglev) technology, which propels the vehicle without direct contact with the track, minimizing friction. This, combined with travel through a vacuum tube to lessen air resistance, allows for unparalleled speed enhancements.
This achievement dethrones the previous hyperloop speed record of 463 kilometers per hour set by the Technical University of Munich in 2019. Until recently, Elon Musk's hyperloop trains were considered the pinnacle of rapid transit technology, with their designs minimizing air resistance to maximize speed.
Hyperloop technology, leveraging vacuum tubes to reduce air drag, has the potential to reach speeds up to 760mph, nearing the sound barrier. However, the practical application of such speeds has been limited by the length of available tracks and tunnels.
Despite the advancements in hyperloop technology, Hyperloop One, a prominent company in the sector, ceased operations at the end of 2023, liquidating its assets and shutting down its offices.
On another front, Dubai is ambitiously working on a project to construct a 1,200-mile underwater train to India, transitioning from a hypothetical concept first introduced in 2018 to an impending reality. The United Arab Emirates’ National Advisor Bureau is currently developing plans for the railway and the specialized train required for this monumental journey, aiming to forge a direct link between Dubai and Mumbai and bring an innovative transport solution to the region.
This development, while promising to revolutionize intercity travel, promises to be an extraordinary venture, not only in terms of technological achievement but also in financial investment.
