Inside China’s plans to make a levitating high-speed train and take on Elon Musk

CHINA has successfully conducted a test run on a levitating magnet train, according to a Chinese report.

The cutting-edge transportation system comprises a high-speed maglev train that magnetically levitates inside a vacuum-style tube.

The test run was announced by the state-run newspaper  earlier this week.

Conducted in the Yanggao county of Datong in North China, the test train ran up to 80 mph along a 1.2-mile-long test line.

"This is the first time that such a transportation system anywhere in the world underwent a full-scale and full-process integrated test," China Daily's report claims.

How does it work?

The system works by using superconducting magnetic levitation technology.

First, it lifts up from the ground, which eliminates frictional resistance.

And then it employs internal pipelines similar to a vacuum to reduce air resistance.

Plans for a series of tests in the future are currently in the works, China Daily noted.

Musk's Hyperloop theory

China's technology is similar to the "Hyperloop" design vocalized by Elon Musk in 2012.

Musk proposed that a train system could be developed which would suck passengers in pods through a vacuum tube.

The billionaire suggested the theoretical train could run from Los Angeles to San Francisco at 760 miles per hour.

While news of the Hyperloop train made a splash at the time, the SpaceX CEO never seemingly never pursued the project.

However, Musk did mention earlier this year that The Boring Company may soon attempt to build an underground Hyperloop system.

China's provincial lab

Chinese researchers are supposedly building a provincial lab for future testing of maglev trains.

Researchers are expected to work closely with the North University of China and the Third Research Institute of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp.

Together, these entities are hoping to provide a "key test platform for low-vacuum pipeline magnetic levitation technology", per China Daily.

They have plans to build a full-scale 37-mile-long test track in Yanggao county.

Construction is expected to be carried out in three phases until the train finally achieves a maximum speed of 621 mph.