Hyperloop Transportation Technologies has unveiled a prototype of a full-scale Hyperloop passenger capsule designed by Priestmangoode, which has been built using the newly developed material Vibranium.

Industrial design studio Priestmangoode designed the capsule for Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT), one of the two main companies working to build a near-supersonic transportation system.

Billed as the world's first full-scale passenger Hyperloop capsule, the prototype was constructed by technological firm Airtificial, and was revealed in Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain at an event that coincides with HTT's fifth anniversary.

According to HTT co-founder Bibop Gresta, the capsule will be fully optimised and ready for passengers as soon as 2019.

When Priestmangoode unveiled its design vision back in September 2017, chairman Paul Priestman told Dezeen that "the look and feel is very much more spaceship than train," informed by the futuristic nature of the Hyperloop network.

Now revealed, the capsule takes the form of a sleek 32-metre-long, bullet-shaped passenger pod.

Able to accommodate up to 40 passengers, the capsule would make up just one section of a longer train that would be electromagnetically propelled through a semi-vacuum tube, traveling at speeds of up to 700 miles per hour.

The prototype, called Quintero One, is built almost entirely out of HTT's trademarked Vibranium material – a specially engineered dual-layer smart composite, which shares its name with the fictional metal that appears in Marvel Comics.

According to HTT the new carbon fibre-based smart material is eight times stronger than aluminium, and 10 times stronger than steel, as well as being around fives times lighter.

"Working together with engineers from HTT, we are proud to be pushing the envelope of smart materials in transportation and manufacturing," said Airtificial co-founder Rafael Contreras.

"Today we have unveiled a new type of transportation vessel built with an industry high percentage of composite, which makes the Hyperloop capsule perhaps the safest transportation vehicle in the world," he added.

HTT has made agreements this year with China, Ukraine and UAE regarding Hyperloop branches, meaning the capsule prototype could operate in any of these locations.

"Since we have taken major steps in solving government regulations with our safety certification guidelines and insurance frameworks, we are now closer than ever to bringing Hyperloop to the world," said HTT's Gresta.

Following the unveiling, the pod will be transported to HTT's research and development centre in Toulouse, France, for additional assembly and integration into the system.

"The creation of this capsule represents over a year long journey of the best expertise in design, engineering, and the development of cutting edge materials," said HTT co-founder Dirk Ahlborn.

"In just five years we have solved and improved upon all of the technology needed for Hyperloop with our new levitation system, vacuum pumps, batteries, and smart composites. This capsule will be a part of one of the most efficient transportation systems ever made," he continued.

Hyperloop networks have been proposed for many locations around the world including the United State of America, Mexico and in central Europe.

In Dubai BIG is designing a Hyperloop network for Hyperloop One. Earlier this year Virgin revealed a full-scale model of the pods that will be used on this network.

The post Priestmangoode reveals first full-scale prototype of Hyperloop capsule appeared first on Dezeen.

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