SpaceX¡¯s Hyperloop Pod Competition took place in Los Angeles on January 29. At this contest, ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app ALPHA, a team from ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app¡¯s Graduate School of System Design and Management, received 10th place. From the 130 teams that entered, the team was one of 29 that was chosen to advance to the final round.
The 1,500 meter tube was placed on a public road called Northrop Avenue, which was closed during the competition. There were 25 universities from all across the United States and overseas (Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, and Japan) as well as several general entries that competed. About 800 people participated in the contest.
Problems with the pusher, a device to accelerate the pods, which was built by the organizers, meant the initial speed of the pods were too low, so the competition wasn¡¯t completely successful. However, ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app ALPHA was one of the few teams that completed all of the tests.
In August of this year, a second installment of the competition will be held at the same site. ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app ALPHA will also participate at this event.
The preparation and production process were covered by ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app Times in an article published on November 14, 2016 titled ¡°Hyperloop and the Future of Transportation.¡±