This week, Elon Musk showcased a concept tunnel that could revolutionize urban transport.
The big takeaway from this proof of concept, is that only Electric Vehicles with autonomous hardware/software installed can use this infrastructure. No ICE vehicles allowed!
The big takeaway from this proof of concept, is that only Electric Vehicles with autonomous hardware/software installed can use this infrastructure. No ICE vehicles allowed!
Video Podcast
The test tunnel built by The Boring Company stretches from a parking lot in Musk's SpaceX HQ to a neighborhood 1 mile away. It's part of a system called Loop that can transport autonomous and electric vehicles underground at super high speeds.
Why electric vehicles only? Well, you can't allow ICE vehicles pumping out obnoxious fumes inside these tunnels. Also creating ventilation systems would add to the costs.
The cars are lowered into the system by elevators with multiple "stations" across the city. Side wheels shown here are an extra fitting to any electric car, these keep the vehicle going straight. Currently, there are projects planned in multiple cities in the USA.
With the loop system having tunnels criss crossing under cities - Bad weather affecting traffic, accidents caused by human mistakes, soul destroying traffic jams would be a thing of the past.
Why electric vehicles only? Well, you can't allow ICE vehicles pumping out obnoxious fumes inside these tunnels. Also creating ventilation systems would add to the costs.
The cars are lowered into the system by elevators with multiple "stations" across the city. Side wheels shown here are an extra fitting to any electric car, these keep the vehicle going straight. Currently, there are projects planned in multiple cities in the USA.
With the loop system having tunnels criss crossing under cities - Bad weather affecting traffic, accidents caused by human mistakes, soul destroying traffic jams would be a thing of the past.
So i have watched many videos on this and have been following the Boring Company for a while now.
Many people dismiss this or are cynical towards Elon Musk's efforts. They say - 'tunnels have been done before', 'This is just a gimmick', 'Elon Musk is marketing his Tesla cars here', 'Nothing new here' etc etc.
But one thing all of us have to realize is that every project or announcement made by Elon is part of a larger vision that is beyond our time. A vision that ordinary people like you and me can hardly comprehend. You will have to look beyond your comfort zone to understand the meaning behind these 'gimmicks'. So keep your cynicism to yourself and let the man's vision come to reality!
Many people dismiss this or are cynical towards Elon Musk's efforts. They say - 'tunnels have been done before', 'This is just a gimmick', 'Elon Musk is marketing his Tesla cars here', 'Nothing new here' etc etc.
But one thing all of us have to realize is that every project or announcement made by Elon is part of a larger vision that is beyond our time. A vision that ordinary people like you and me can hardly comprehend. You will have to look beyond your comfort zone to understand the meaning behind these 'gimmicks'. So keep your cynicism to yourself and let the man's vision come to reality!
Why this can be huge for electric vehicles?
Imagine if the Boring Company can build a network of underground tunnels in cities with huge populations having soul destroying traffic - like or Bengaluru in India.
Imagine having Electric Buses, Electric Cars, Electric Vans ferrying people and goods at top speeds from one end of a city to another at a fraction of the time and cost it takes currently.
Now you tell me, why would this not make EV's super attractive to businesses and individuals?
Now this is huge. Elon Musk has always said that we need to move to sustainable electric transportation as soon as possible. The Boring Company will ultimately be a huge enabler for people to make this shift to EV's.
Also, the tunnel tech developed at the Boring Company may be used in Mars which has been Elon Musk's another long term goal - making humanity a multi planet species in this life time.
Don't you guys see it ?
Tesla
The Boring Company
SpaceX
They are not different companies! They are all related - part of a grand vision.
Questions
Of course all of this is hypothetical until such tunnelling infrastructure is actually created. There are many challenges for the Boring Company like satisfying regulatory agencies, questions on safety, opposition from OIL and ICE car companies - oh yeah do you think these mega corporations will stay silent?
In 10 years time, if there are a network of tunnels in multiple American cities, which results in more people using EV's and stop going to that petrol pump, then the OIL industry will surely start feeling it. They will do their best to stall this movement.
But the positive thing for the Boring Company would be this.
Even creating a single demonstrable network of tunnels with vehicles zooming at 150 mph would attract municipal agencies from all over the world, who would want to invest and have this in their cities. For example the Municipal Corporations of Delhi or Bengaluru can approach The Boring company for a concept in these two cities.
This is not a joke or an impossible thing - Earlier this year, the chief minister of Maharashtra, visited Virgin Hyperloop One's offices. He was shown a demo of the Hyperloop test track near Los Angeles.
They have committed to build a Hyperloop between Pune and Mumbai. They signed an MOU to construct a test track soon and a full Hyperloop later.
Just imagine a 20-30 minute ride from Pune to Mumbai.
So as you can see, we will have Indian leaders and investors watching The Boring Company with keen interest to see opportunities for India.
Imagine if the Boring Company can build a network of underground tunnels in cities with huge populations having soul destroying traffic - like or Bengaluru in India.
Imagine having Electric Buses, Electric Cars, Electric Vans ferrying people and goods at top speeds from one end of a city to another at a fraction of the time and cost it takes currently.
Now you tell me, why would this not make EV's super attractive to businesses and individuals?
Now this is huge. Elon Musk has always said that we need to move to sustainable electric transportation as soon as possible. The Boring Company will ultimately be a huge enabler for people to make this shift to EV's.
Also, the tunnel tech developed at the Boring Company may be used in Mars which has been Elon Musk's another long term goal - making humanity a multi planet species in this life time.
Don't you guys see it ?
Tesla
The Boring Company
SpaceX
They are not different companies! They are all related - part of a grand vision.
Questions
Of course all of this is hypothetical until such tunnelling infrastructure is actually created. There are many challenges for the Boring Company like satisfying regulatory agencies, questions on safety, opposition from OIL and ICE car companies - oh yeah do you think these mega corporations will stay silent?
In 10 years time, if there are a network of tunnels in multiple American cities, which results in more people using EV's and stop going to that petrol pump, then the OIL industry will surely start feeling it. They will do their best to stall this movement.
But the positive thing for the Boring Company would be this.
Even creating a single demonstrable network of tunnels with vehicles zooming at 150 mph would attract municipal agencies from all over the world, who would want to invest and have this in their cities. For example the Municipal Corporations of Delhi or Bengaluru can approach The Boring company for a concept in these two cities.
This is not a joke or an impossible thing - Earlier this year, the chief minister of Maharashtra, visited Virgin Hyperloop One's offices. He was shown a demo of the Hyperloop test track near Los Angeles.
They have committed to build a Hyperloop between Pune and Mumbai. They signed an MOU to construct a test track soon and a full Hyperloop later.
Just imagine a 20-30 minute ride from Pune to Mumbai.
So as you can see, we will have Indian leaders and investors watching The Boring Company with keen interest to see opportunities for India.
Final Thoughts
Elon Musk is incredible. The guy reinvents industries that have not changed in decades and takes on the establishment in these industries- Head on. Example the ICE car industry, the Rocket ship industry and now the transportation and infrastructure industry.
The guy is a true disruptor and we are honored to see exciting changes taking place mostly due to his vision.
Do comment below on your thoughts below and thanks all of you for continuously following our content. We are just blown away by the positive comments we receive!
As always ride safe and go Electric!
Elon Musk is incredible. The guy reinvents industries that have not changed in decades and takes on the establishment in these industries- Head on. Example the ICE car industry, the Rocket ship industry and now the transportation and infrastructure industry.
The guy is a true disruptor and we are honored to see exciting changes taking place mostly due to his vision.
Do comment below on your thoughts below and thanks all of you for continuously following our content. We are just blown away by the positive comments we receive!
As always ride safe and go Electric!