In Photos: Building the Superfast 'Hyperloop One' Transit System of the Future

A pioneering vision

A tube for the Hyperloop One test track awaits processing. — (Image credit: Hyperloop One)

In 2013, SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk proposed a futuristic transportation concept, dubbed the Hyperloop, that would zoom passengers seated inside pods through low-pressure tubes at blistering speeds of about 760 mph (1,220 km/h).

Now, a startup called Hyperloop One (not affiliated with Musk) is trying to turn that vision into a reality. In the Nevada desert, Hyperloop One engineers are building a test track for the futuristic transit system. In this photo, a tube for the full-scale test track awaits processing. [Read more about the Hyperloop One project]

Nuts and bolts

A view into the so-called Levitation Rig that was developed by the Hyperloop One project. — (Image credit: Hyperloop One)

Hyperloop One announced in 2016 that it received $80 million in funding to develop the ultra-fast transportation system. This photo is a view into the so-called Levitation Rig that was developed by the Hyperloop One team.

Building a test track

The Hyperloop One test track, dubbed the DevLoop, will be made up of a series of tubes that will extend 1,640 feet (500 meters). — (Image credit: Hyperloop One)

Hyperloop One is constructing a test track for the transit system in the Nevada desert. The track, dubbed the DevLoop, will be made up of a series of tubes that will extend 1,640 feet (500 meters).

Under the desert sun

Engineers install the first tube for the Hyperloop One project's test track in the Nevada desert. — (Image credit: Hyperloop One)

Here, dngineers install the first tube for the Hyperloop One project's test track in the Nevada desert. The tubes measure about 10.8 feet (3.3 meters) in diameter.

Testing the technology

Tubes for the Hyperloop One test track await installation in the Nevada desert. The so-called DevLoop will serve as a proof of concept, and will act as a test site for the Hyperloop transportation technology, according to the company.

Zoom zoom

Any major city in the Gulf Cooperation Council (with member states that include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) could be accessible within 1 hour with a Hyperloop transit system. This graphic shows estimated travel — (Image credit: Hyperloop One)

Hyperloop One's first planned commercial installation is a track that will run between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In the future, a Hyperloop network could make any major city in the Gulf Cooperation Council (with member states that include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) accessible within 1 hour.

If you build it ...

A bird's eye view of the Hyperloop One test track in the Nevada desert.

Construction begins

To construct the Hyperloop One test track, dubbed the DevLoop, engineers poured these column caps in the Nevada desert. — (Image credit: Hyperloop One)

To construct the Hyperloop One test track, dubbed the DevLoop, engineers first poured these column caps in the Nevada desert.

Robotic help

A welding robot works on a construction project at the Hyperloop One headquarters in Los Angeles.

The foundation

Engineers work to install part of the Hyperloop One test track at a site in the desert located about 30 minutes from Las Vegas.

Moving in

A vacuum pump is moved into position at the site of the Hyperloop One test track.