We’ve seen many ambitious concepts play out in the transportation sector over the past decade, with just as many much-hyped technologies still years from reality. One of the most interesting is the Virgin Hyperloop, a passenger and freight ferrying system that’s set to revolutionize regional transit. Hyperloop uses low-pressure, sealed tubes that use electric propulsion that allows them to move at Hypersonic speeds without encountering friction. Virgin Hyperloop has been one of several companies – including SpaceX – that has been pressing forward with the technology, and the organization recently announced that it has made “transportation history” with one of its latest tests. At the company’s test track in Nevada, Virgin Hyperloop has just completed its first crewed test of one of its passenger pods. Though 40 Virgin Hyperloop employees volunteered for the run, the first two selected were company co-founder Josh Giegel and head of Passenger Experience Sara Luchian. Because the test track was only 500 meters long, the test was limited to speeds of 107 miles per hour, though these compartments are capable at this time of traveling at speeds more than twice that. Virgin Hyperloop says, ultimately, they believe the top speeds for a passenger or light cargo pod will be 670 miles per hour, or, about 10 to 15 times the speed of traditional passenger rail. The demonstration vehicle has two seats but Virgin Hyperloop says its production vehicle will look dramatically different and will hold about 28 passengers. Part of the testing in progress intends to assess the fortitude of certain safety-specific sub-systems, including automated fire suppression, rapid tube re-pressurization, and emergency egress. The team at Virgin was more than pleased with the results of the initial passenger tests, with a spokesperson telling Engadget, “This was our moon landing.” ABOUT THOMAS Thomas believes in the power of industry, and we are uniquely capable of helping to fuel its success. Since 1898 we have served the needs of B2B buyers. With the legacy of our Thomas Register at our back, today’s Thomas is a data, platform, and technology company that has been powering your sourcing needs to get the job done. Our solutions inform, support, and empower industry. Join the million-plus buyers, engineers, and other procurement professionals like you that turn to us each month for tools and information that help them find exactly the supplier they need. Through our data, content, and experience, we are engineered to help you get your job done. Subscribe to our channel ►►https://www.youtube.com/user/ThomasNetVideo Visit the Thomas WEBSITE: https://business.thomasnet.com/ Follow Thomas on LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thomasforindustry/mycompany/ Follow Thomas news on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thomasnet Like Thomas on FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/ThomasForIndustry