First full-scale Hyperloop prototype is taking shape in North Las Vegas [Gallery]

There’s a lot to be excited about in the Hyperloop space for the next few months, which could be decisive in proving that this new mode of transport can work or whether it’s just “pie in the sky” as some skeptics are claiming.

First, we have the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition that should be pretty fun to watch, but in term of overall full-scale infrastructure, Hyperloop One’s project is the one to watch and should come not long after SpaceX’s event in January.

The company has been teasing the progress on its test track in North Las Vegas and the hyperloop has never seemed more real.

Earlier this month, Hyperloop One confirmed having raised a total of $160 million to date, which it will put toward its proof-of-concept: a 3 km full-scale and full speed enclosed prototype test track with a low-pressure environment.

The company has been calling the project ‘DevLoop’, which is short for “development hyperloop”. Hyperloop One will test both its track and pod systems in the ‘DevLoop’ in order to safely achieve speeds of up to 700 mph – an achievement the company has referring to as their ” Kitty Hawk moment”.

Here are the latest pictures from the ‘DevLoop’ via Hyperloop One’s Twitter:

It’s quite impressive that just over 3 years ago, the hyperloop was only an idea described in a white paper by Elon Musk and a few engineers at Tesla and SpaceX, now it’s truly taking shape in the middle of the desert in Nevada.

Hyperloop One’s team is hard at work on the ‘DevLoop’, but also part of the team is in Dubai where the company is seeing a lot of interest for its technology and it looks very likely that the first real commercial hyperloop will end up in the United Arab Emirate.

When discussing the commercial applications of its new mode of transport, Hyperloop One is not presenting itself as offering transit services, but as a company selling time. Here’s what they claim could happen to travels between Dubai and Abu Dhabi:

On which route do you most wish to see a hyperloop system being implemented? Let us know in the comment section below.