Virgin drops Hyperloop One project name

Virgin is dropping its name in the Hyperloop project in a move to a freight-only solution.

Virgin Hyperloop, a startup trying to make Elon Musk’s idea of ​​a bullet train a reality, has changed its name. A few weeks ago, the company quietly changed its name to Hyperloop One, which it used between 2016 and 2017.

Virgin drops Hyperloop project name

A Virgin Group press release explains that it “decided to work with the management team of Virgin Hyperloop to remove the Virgin brand from business.”This initiative is a consequence of Virgin Hyperloop’s “change in short-term priorities”and, in particular, the transition from a passenger service to a freight-only service.

Engadget noticed the change, noting that the company modified its website to include an old archive image of its XP-1 test pod and a mention of “It’s a new day at Hyperloop One”(“It’s a new day at Hyperloop One.”). The company’s Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram accounts have also been updated accordingly using the old name.

Implications of moving to a freight-only solution

The company had a rather difficult year, with 111 employees laid off last February when the company abandoned its passenger transportation project. After that, the main shareholder of DP World said that he wanted to use technology for logistics, suggesting the construction of “inland ports”in order to deliver containers from ships to their destination much faster than existing systems.

“We would like to thank the Virgin Hyperloop team for their hard work and commitment over the years and wish them well in the future,” the statement said. Let’s hope the project is completed. Such a system could revolutionize the transportation of goods.