4 ms·

Yeah, you'll note that even Elon Musk hasn't mentioned the Hyperloop (as far as I've heard) since he sent out a press release and a back-of-the-napkin drawing.

by afafsd 12y ago

Yeah, you'll note that even Elon Musk hasn't mentioned the Hyperloop (as far as I've heard) since he sent out a press release and a back-of-the-napkin drawing. A small-scale prototype wouldn't cost that much, surely?

lutusp 12y ago
> A small-scale prototype wouldn't cost that much, surely? Some ideas can't be meaningfully tested on a small preliminary scale: 1. Fusion power. 2. A trip to the moon. 3. Marriage. I doubt that any practical small-scale model would educate us about the full-sized system.
- icegreentea 12y ago
  The Hyperloop -can- be meaningfully tested on a small scale model. For example, the scaling laws of fluid dynamics are fairly well known. Building a scale model with knowledge of the scaling laws can at least give us a sense of the performance/cost of the full scale system. Other small scale test that can be done. A 100m long full diameter segment of the track could be built and then kept at the vacuum pressure needed for some extended period of time while pushing simulated hyperloop vehicles through the length. This can inform us to the real costs of maintaining the vacuum, and give some hints towards real maintenance costs. A key part of the Hyperloop proposal is the cheapness of fabricating the track and pylons. Actually building the track and pylons in limited quantities is important so that a) areas where efficiencies can be introduced can be identified and b) give a sense of just how much efficiencies can be gained. As far as I know, the actual compressor drive that the Hyperloop runs on has never been used on such a scale before. At least building a single full scale demonstration model is surely prudent before even considering it. Maglev was tested with real prototype trains on real prototype track for decades before commercial use. Transrapid (which made the Shanghai Maglev) has a 31km long test track that was in use for over a decade before they started working on the Shanghai line. Until something of roughly that magnitude is built, the Hyperloop is an interesting (and well thought out) idea, but nothing more.
krschultz 12y ago
Exactly. Arguably the bank drive through deposit tube is a small scale prototype, but I suspect hyperloop is a greater technical leap than either SpaceX or Tesla. Not to mention building a right of way from SF to LA is 100x harder politically than rolling back the car dealership laws that Tesla has been fighting. Elon Musk may be a great entrepreneur, but he is not a magician.

by afafsd 12y ago

lutusp 12y ago

> A small-scale prototype wouldn't cost that much, surely? Some ideas can't be meaningfully tested on a small preliminary scale: 1. Fusion power. 2. A trip to the moon. 3. Marriage. I doubt that any practical small-scale model would educate us about the full-sized system.

icegreentea 12y ago
The Hyperloop -can- be meaningfully tested on a small scale model. For example, the scaling laws of fluid dynamics are fairly well known. Building a scale model with knowledge of the scaling laws can at least give us a sense of the performance/cost of the full scale system. Other small scale test that can be done. A 100m long full diameter segment of the track could be built and then kept at the vacuum pressure needed for some extended period of time while pushing simulated hyperloop vehicles through the length. This can inform us to the real costs of maintaining the vacuum, and give some hints towards real maintenance costs. A key part of the Hyperloop proposal is the cheapness of fabricating the track and pylons. Actually building the track and pylons in limited quantities is important so that a) areas where efficiencies can be introduced can be identified and b) give a sense of just how much efficiencies can be gained. As far as I know, the actual compressor drive that the Hyperloop runs on has never been used on such a scale before. At least building a single full scale demonstration model is surely prudent before even considering it. Maglev was tested with real prototype trains on real prototype track for decades before commercial use. Transrapid (which made the Shanghai Maglev) has a 31km long test track that was in use for over a decade before they started working on the Shanghai line. Until something of roughly that magnitude is built, the Hyperloop is an interesting (and well thought out) idea, but nothing more.

krschultz 12y ago

Exactly. Arguably the bank drive through deposit tube is a small scale prototype, but I suspect hyperloop is a greater technical leap than either SpaceX or Tesla. Not to mention building a right of way from SF to LA is 100x harder politically than rolling back the car dealership laws that Tesla has been fighting. Elon Musk may be a great entrepreneur, but he is not a magician.