Hyperloop and Flying Cars Heighten Competition for “Next Big Thing” in Transportation

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi and Elon Musk last week made a buzz on Twitter after Khosrowshahi posed the question “why do you need to dig tunnels when you can fly”? Musk quipped back with his response, citing the potential noise and downwash generated from eVTOL’s propellors as reason enough to pursue the Hyperloop project in lieu of vertical transport.

While both the on-ground Hyperloop and in-air eVTOL camps are becoming stronger in technological foundation, there are critical infrastructure developments facing each of these transportation solutions. For Hyperloop, permits for expansions and additions to existing rail structures and stations may hinder development from occurring quicker, while eVTOL’s must face the Federal Aviation Administration’s regulations and urban infrastructure requirements for landing ports as well.

View the exchange here:

If you love drones above your house, you’ll really love vast numbers of “cars” flying over your head that are 1000 times bigger and noisier and blow away anything that isn’t nailed down when they land

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 22, 2018

Challenge accepted. Improved battery tech (thx 2 @elonmusk) and multiple smaller rotors will be much more efficient and avoid noise + environmental pollution. https://t.co/563U0RqDYF

— dara khosrowshahi (@dkhos) February 22, 2018

Source

• https://singularityhub.com/2018/03/05/hyperloop-and-flying-cars-are-battling-it-out-for-the-future-of-transportation/#sm.0001yn8stgp1vfm8thv1sf0d2u8y4