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Virgin Hyperloop: new concept video shows pod interiors and BIG-designed portals

2021-02-01T16:24:00-05:00

Richard Branson's Virgin Hyperloop endeavor appears to be picking up some momentum with recent announcements of the first human passenger test and plans for a $500 million Hyperloop Certification Center in West Virginia.

Now the company unveiled a new concept video that adds a bit more visual detail to the vision's passenger experience.

Image: Virgin Hyperloop.

Virgin Hyperloop worked with Bjarke Ingels Group not only on the design of their XP-2 pods (in collaboration with Kilo Design) but also on the planned passenger portals.

Image: Virgin Hyperloop.

Seattle-based design studio Teague was hired to create the pod interiors. "We leveraged decades of experience designing how people and things move across various modalities—taking some of the best aspects from aviation, rail, automotive, and even hospitality to create a new and better passenger experience," explained Teague CEO & President John Barratt.

Image: Virgin Hyperloop.

"Recessed seat wells provide a greater sense of space, w...

Virgin Hyperloop: first human passenger test in BIG-designed XP-2 pod

2020-11-09T14:52:00-05:00

While Nevada's slow election vote counting has inspired countless memes over the weekend, a new speed milestone was reached in the state when humans successfully traveled in a hyperloop pod for the first time.

Promotional video of the first hyperloop passenger test. Video via Virgin Hyperloop on YouTube.

After running over 400 unoccupied tests at its 500-meter DevLoop test site in Las Vegas, Virgin Hyperloop now catapulted the company's Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Josh Giegel, and Director of Passenger Experience, Sara Luchian, for a thrilling ride through the very short test tunnel.

Image: Virgin Hyperloop.

"The occupants made their maiden voyage on the newly-unveiled XP-2
vehicle, designed by BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group and Kilo Design, which was custom-built with occupant safety and comfort in mind," explains a statement released by Virgin Hyperloop. Back in 2016, BIG had announced a joint venture with Aecom and Hyperloop to "transform the future of public infrastruct...