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China seems like the place to build the first hyperloop. It would cost a lot less and they’ve already embraced HSR. They’re increasing their trains to 248 mph.

China seems like the place to build the first hyperloop. It would cost a lot less and they’ve already embraced HSR. They’re increasing their trains to 248 mph. https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/china-reclaim-title-world-s-fastest-train-ncna794931 https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/china-reclaim-title-wor... Long routes like Beijing/Shanghai would greatly benefit from a hyperloop. They transport almost 1.5 billion people yearly on 12,000 miles of HSR, and they’re building another 10,000 miles.

eplanit 9y ago
I agree -- in fact I'd wager that California is likely to be a laggard in this race. Highway expansion is very slow, causing clogged freeways, and local commutes in populated areas like LA and San Fran are among the worst in the nation. BART is embarrassingly old and dilapidated. The new Bay Bridge was way over schedule and budget (and with serious quality issues)...Given the track record with "traditional" infrastructure, I just don't see California being a leader in this area. Maybe some of the tech will be conceived here, but implementation would be different.
- Robotbeat 9y ago
  Except this is the whole reason Musk developed the Hyperloop concept. He was annoyed at sitting through California traffic. Ironically, it is California's crappy traditional infrastructure that birthed Hyperloop.
  - melling 9y ago
    The idea is to build the first one sooner rather than later. Then everyone who wants it can build it. Sort of like Bill Gates working with China to get the next generation of nuclear energy developed in China. https://qz.com/627113/bill-gates-says-china-is-the-best-place-to-pursue-next-generation-nuclear-power/ https://qz.com/627113/bill-gates-says-china-is-the-best-plac...
    - beamatronic 9y ago
      Sadly it seems that (broadly speaking) bribery is the only thing holding human achievement back, across our planet.
kuschku 9y ago
That’s exactly why China is doing that, and why China in the past years bought from SIEMENS the entire IP for TransRapid (the only high speed maglev system that actually shipped in production, and is used daily by many travellers)

eplanit 9y ago

I agree -- in fact I'd wager that California is likely to be a laggard in this race. Highway expansion is very slow, causing clogged freeways, and local commutes in populated areas like LA and San Fran are among the worst in the nation. BART is embarrassingly old and dilapidated. The new Bay Bridge was way over schedule and budget (and with serious quality issues)...Given the track record with "traditional" infrastructure, I just don't see California being a leader in this area. Maybe some of the tech will be conceived here, but implementation would be different.

Robotbeat 9y ago
Except this is the whole reason Musk developed the Hyperloop concept. He was annoyed at sitting through California traffic. Ironically, it is California's crappy traditional infrastructure that birthed Hyperloop.
- melling 9y ago
  The idea is to build the first one sooner rather than later. Then everyone who wants it can build it. Sort of like Bill Gates working with China to get the next generation of nuclear energy developed in China. https://qz.com/627113/bill-gates-says-china-is-the-best-place-to-pursue-next-generation-nuclear-power/ https://qz.com/627113/bill-gates-says-china-is-the-best-plac...
  - beamatronic 9y ago
    Sadly it seems that (broadly speaking) bribery is the only thing holding human achievement back, across our planet.

kuschku 9y ago

That’s exactly why China is doing that, and why China in the past years bought from SIEMENS the entire IP for TransRapid (the only high speed maglev system that actually shipped in production, and is used daily by many travellers)