Hyperloop is a futuristic transportation concept where people and goods travel in 'pods' (capsules) at very high speed through tubes in a near vacuum. In theory speeds of up to 1200 kilometers per hour are possible.

Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla Motors, created the Hyperloop Pod Competition in order to accelerate the development of a functional prototype. Last month teams from all over the world demonstrated their pods, build at a 1:2 scale, in a 1.2 kilometer long test tube adjacent to the site of SpaceX in Los Angeles.

The team from the Technical University Delft, Holland has won the overall category – and in addition the team also received awards for best construction and best design. The prize for the highest average speed was won by students from the University of Munich.

The idea behind Hyperloop is not really new – various science-fiction authors (who, as already known, were far ahead of their time) have already mentioned this concept: Robert A. Heinlein in 'The Moon is a Harsh Mistress', James P. Hogan in 'Thrice upon a Time' and Peter F. Hamilton in his 'Confederation' books (if memory serves, as Mr. Spock would say).