Hyperloop One, one of the two big companies working on Elon Musk's hyperloop concept that seeks to provide travel through a semi vacuum in tubes, is betting big on India to be an early adopter of the technology, touted as being more cost-effective and faster than highspeed trains.Calling the technology “truly transformative", Nick Earle, SVP global field operations, Hyperloop One, told ET that India has been leapfrogging mobile penetration through 4G technology . “Our big idea here is: Is transportation the next IT?" he said.
Hyperloop -high-speed travel in pods inside a partial-vacuum tube -is the brainchild of Tesla founder Elon Musk, who open sourced the basic design in 2013 in the form of a whitepaper.
Hyperloop One claims to be the only company that is building a functional hyperloop system. Following the successful public demonstration of the propulsion motor in May 2016, Hyperloop One is on track to run the world's first full-system test in 2017 in Nevada.
“India is an extremely important geography for developing Hyperloop networks and reimagining how cities and regions work. The Prime Minister's vision of connecting the country is directly aligned with Hyperloop One's objective of connecting the world. With initiatives such as `Make in India' and `Digital India', we do see ourselves working in this direction in India," Shervin Pishevar, executive chairman of Hyperloop One said at an event in Delhi on Tuesday . Earle said he came to India in January , and held discussions with NITI Aayog's Amitabh Kant and Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu.
Some of the initial hyperloop pod videos show four people travelling inside a single pod. Asked about tackling the issue of the large numbers in India, Earle said it was important to remember that hyperloop was trying to augment existing travel and not replace it.
“The way we can handle it is... what if the pods have 50 or 60 people? The images in India will probably be a long pod, like a train carriage, and leave maybe every 20 seconds," he said.
If India becomes an early adopter, all the manufacturing for the tubes, and related ecosystem such as an app store, IT platform, etc. would be done out of India, in line with the `Make in India' programme of the government.
The important thing, said Earle, was to build standards that are inter operable and ensure all companies working on hyperloop concept can work together.
“A transportation system like the hyperloop will undoubtedly ease the pressure on existing infrastructure while enhancing the quality of life of the people. We are already working with the governments around the world on passenger and freight projects, and we look forward to also partnering with India to support this endeavour," said Rob Lloyd, CEO of Hyperloop One.
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