“Regulations are the ultimate barrier for hyperloop implementation,” said Dirk Ahlborn, CEO of HTT, “and we are excited to build the first real public-private partnership to bring hyperloop travel to the U.S.” While not directly related to hyperloop and intelligent transportation, it is noteworthy that Musk successfully launched the world’s most powerful rocket, the Falcon Heavy, into space on Feb. 6. Abig step toward Musk’s ultimate goal of putting people on Mars, the Falcon Heavy launch, which featured two boosters touching back down on earth for reuse, was a global demonstration of just how successful Musk technology can be. With Musk as the progenitor, anything, it seems, is possible. In the UK, where two hyperloop routes placed in the global challenge top 10, spirits are high. Adam Anyszewski, an electrical and mechani- cal engineering student at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, is the managing director of team HYPED, creator of the proposed route from Edinburgh to London by way of Birmingham and Manchester — a route that covers 414 miles in 50 minutes and links a metropolitan population of about 17 million. In a twist, the HYPED team is not just populated with engineering students. Including members from Heriot Watt University in Edin- burgh, HYPED is comprised of physicists, mathematicians, computer scientists, architects, business people, economists, and those study- ing politics and law. As they grapple with the technology side of the equation, members of HYPED must also consider an ongoing political circumstance that could wind up having huge implications for the UK — Brexit, the UK’s exit from the European Union.
“Brexit is not making things any easier, but we’re not afraid the need for hyperloop will disappear,” Anyszewski said. Looking at it from another vantage point, Brexit might actually be good for hyperloop’s chances. As an independent country looking to compete in the global market, hyperloop could ultimately make a place like the UK attractive for business and investments, Anyszewski said. For hyperloop to make sense to regular people, it’s key that the new tech- nology be placed in context, that it ties into existing infrastructure and emerging systems such as autonomous vehicles. Like Bhatt, Anyszewski is not blinded by idealism. He knows creating widespread public aware- ness will be tough, and that entrenched transportation interests might not embrace hyperloop and other forms of intelligent transportation. Still, he sees nothing but possibilities. At 23, Anyszewski, a Polish na- tional, is seemingly at the ideal age to not only embrace new ideas and transformative technology, but to make things happen. As a full-time student, working on hyperloop is his “second job,” a job that might lead to a lifelong career — instead of chasing Big Data, biotech, or artificial intelligence. “It’s something that gets me excited,” Anyszewski said. “I’m in it to make a difference in the way people live.”
RICHARD MASSEY is director of newsletters and special publications at Zweig Group and editor of The Zweig Letter. He can be reached at rmassey@zwieiggroup.com.
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