Top: ET3 model design, many years old. Bottom: Hyperloop design created Aug 2013
There is a lot of buzz surrounding global transportation solutions following Elon Musk’s announcement regarding his proposed Hyperloop (HLa) system. I discovered Daryl Oster and ET3 last Spring and have been researching the proposed ideas extensively for several months. ET3 has been mapping out an extensive plan for over a decade that would globalize and revolutionize transportation and I thought it’s important that everyone understand the facts and differences between ET3 and Hyperloop. Ultimately, I would like to see the two ideas combine forces for implimentation. They recently met at the SpaceX headquarters – we’ll see what happens!
ET3 (Evacuated Tube Transport Technologies)
Technology and patents held by and perfected over the past 15 years by Daryl Oster and ET3.com Inc.
A global transportation solution for people and commodities
Elevated, automated guideways carry passenger and cargo capsules that can enter or exit the network at any stop
Capsules are powered by electricity and travel is completely silent
They weigh 400 pounds and can accommodate 6 people or 4 pallets of cargo
5 foot diameter tubes are vacuum sealed, and networked like freeways or the internet that would eventually serve most homes
Speeds will reach 350mph for in state use or 4000mph for interstate / intercountry use (DC to Beijing in 2 hours)
Energy is recycled through acceleration and deceleration
Required materials for construction are 1/4 the cost of a freeway and 1/10 the cost of high speed rail
Plans to build a 3 Mile test strip are set to begin near Las Vegas by the end of 2013
Hyperloop
A 57 page proposal open for innovators to explore produced by Elon Musk / SpaceX
California state transportation solution (with a possible Las Vegas stop)
System of elevated tubes supported by pylons spaced out every hundred feet that would run alongside highways
The tubes are 7 feet in diameter carrying 28 person capsules
Solar grids placed on top of the tubes would provide the required electricity
Stations organized similar to airports with security and digital check-in
Capsules would depart between 30 seconds and 2 minutes apart, with 40 capsules operating on the system
The Hyperloop is NOT a vacuum system, but a low pressure system instead
Top speeds would reach 750 MPH
Costs appear to be $6-10 billion, with no set plans for implementation
READ: Meet Daryl Oster
READ: Elon Musk vs. Richard Branson
I’m on Twitter: @ZackHuhn @SINevents
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