Maybe I was sleeping when the breaking news came out about this, but apparently, about a year ago, the company Elon Musk came up with this idea for a high-speed transportation system, called Hyperloop. 

Basically, this thing is straight out of a JJ Abrams novel as it uses reduced pressure tubes combined with linear induction motors and air compressors.  Maybe it will have stops to visit R2D2 and Capt Kirk too.

The idea was released nearly a year and a half ago, planning to run from LA to San Francisco in about 35 minutes.  What that equates to, is traveling 354 miles at an average speed of almost 600 mph, and topping out at a speed of 760 mph.

Well, the idea was made public, so now a test track is being planned as well.

Engineers are estimating the cost of this system at about 7.5 billion dollars.

Skepticism is high given the level of unproven technology involved with making this thing work effectively.  Would you ride this thing?  Can you imagine traveling at this speed essentially on the ground?

Let’s do the math.  Times Square is about 240 miles from here.  If we travelled from Utica to Times square in one of these things, it would take roughly 20 minutes.  I could grab dinner and a show and be back before 10 pm.  Amazing.  We’ll see how this goes.  In the meantime, check out the video about the Hyperloop.

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