The conceptual Hyperloop system could see passengers travel between Bratislava, Vienna and Budapest in under 20 minutes.
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| The Hyperloop is still conceptual but could link three European countries |
A transportation system that could fire passengers between three European capital cities in just 18 minutes has passed a significant hurdle.
Hyperloop is a conceptual futuristic transport system that would work by sending small passenger-filled pods through a semi-vacuum tube at speeds of up to 700mph.
SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk came up with the concept, and released it for free.
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| Tesla boss Elon Musk came up with the idea |
Now a company called Hyperloop Transportation Technologies has struck a deal with the government of Slovakia, and hopes to connect the country with Austria and Hungary with the system.
A journey from Bratislava to Budapest via Vienna can currently take up to five hours by train.
But that journey could be cut to just 18 minutes if and when the system is fully operational, the firm says.
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| Several companies are working to make the Hyperloop a reality |
The loop could also connect the two sides of Slovakia, a journey which currently takes more than four hours by car.
Blueprints for the futuristic tubular transport system have already been put forward in the US, but this the the first concrete proposal for the system elsewhere in the world.
The first section of the loop - which will be used for testing initially - will be completed by 2020.
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| Vienna (pictured) to Budapest could take minutes. |
The Slovak Republic's economic minister Vazil Hudak said: "A transportation system of this kind would redefine the concept of commuting and boost cross-border cooperation in Europe."
Now the team behind the project will attempt to identify the best route, dealing with right of ways and construction requirements.
Source : Here