Hyperloop floating through the Megacity has become the hallmark of future transportation. (Source: Big Think Edge)

The premise scene of the current Sci-Fi hit series, “Westworld” reveals guests being whisked to the entrance of Westworld, the show’s elaborate theme park. This is carried out in a super-fast magnetic levitation pod, whooshed forward in a blur at the speed of sound. This is in fact, the synthetic cameo of Elon Musk’s actual innovation, the Hyperloop.

Although this backdrop is 2052, evidently far-fetched to the eye, the advent of Hyperloop as we know it is even more materialized in reality than viewers may imagine. This mode of transport is a peek at the bird’s eye view of what’s to come.

The electric vehicle is a major mode of futuristic transportation we are already familiar with. The commercialization of flying cars and drone taxis as well are in the cards. And what is the role of steel in their manifestations?

The Era of Electric SUV with Lightweight Steel

The I.D. Crozz by Volkswagen is an electric-powered cross-over between a coupé and SUV (Source: Volkswagen Newsroom)

The transport of tomorrow we are most accustomed to is the electric car. Some of the major auto industry players such as BMW Group, Volkswagen Group, and Ford Group have formed a Pan-European EV charging network, Ionity to ensure enough charging stations to meet the growing EV units.

Frontrunner Tesla’s most recent electric SUV invention, the Tesla Model X has motivated global competitors to spring up a range of electric SUVs. With the release of Jaguar I-Pace in March and the Hyundai Kona Electric in May along with the anticipated launch of Audi’s E-tron Quattro and Sportback, worldwide carmakers and consumers alike are aware that a new generation of electric SUV and its crossover versions are already in full swing.

Previously, the electric motor was commonly applicable only in compact or subcompact cars due to its limited battery capacity. They weren’t capable of reaching over a certain distance even once fully charged. As follows, lightweighting is inevitable to secure more miles on the road.

The development of battery performance and vehicle lightweighting technologies have enabled the creation of the electric SUV. Primary components of EV are the electric motors and batteries, especially the lithium-ion batteries that power the vehicle using POSCO’s cathode and anode.

An anode is a positively charged electrode in which the current flows into the system. Since last year, POSCO ES MATERIALS has been manufacturing highly-stable anode material, the PG-NCM which is world’s finest in quality. The cathode generates electricity by storing and releasing the lithium contained in the anode. At present, POSCO CHEMTECH is the sole manufacturer of anode materials in the domestic market.

The second solution to car lightweighting for more mileage would be POSCO’s Giga Steel. Giga Steel is a high-intensity steel capable of enduring the weight of 1,500 subcompact cars with a size that is merely 4 inches in width and 6 inches in length. Its intensity is thrice that of an automotive aluminum enabling even thin steel sheets to perform as robust car structure. Accordingly, it is unmatched in resolving both lightweight and stability issues for its lightness and high endurance. Experts predict the increase in demand for ultra-high tensile steel with gigapascal capacity of endurance suitable for advanced safety measures.

Whizzing from New York to Washington DC in 30 Minutes

Hyperloop travels at a supersonic speed of 760 miles per hour faster than that of a commercial airplane. (Source: Inverse)

A quick weekday evening spent with a family member in a US home state after work may just happen. A San Francisco resident can enjoy dinner after work with a friend from college in downtown LA in just 30 minutes. The same amount of time would take for a Dutch in Amsterdam to travel to Paris for a quick photo of the Eiffel Tower. The mode of transportation? None other than the Hyperloop.

It is one of the most innovative technologies in the next generation of transport initially mentioned in 2012 and explicitly open-sourced the following year by the CEO of Tesla Motors and Space X, Elon Musk. A pressurized pod would float through the vacuum tunnel while magnetic levitation enables it to hover above the rail to reduce friction.

Theory suggests the speed of Hyperloop is around 760 mph, considerably faster than that of a regular passenger flight which is 547 to 575 mph. It can transport passengers to neighboring states in the US or to neighboring countries in about half an hour. There is almost zero emission while solving congestion problems in a sustainable and cost-efficient way.

Since its conception, high-tech companies have been chasing after the hyperloop reality around the world. This includes Elon Musk’s Boring Company, business magnate, Richard Branson’s Virgin Hyperloop One, and LA-based Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT), an American research company.

HTT has been constructing one of two test tracks in France, ready to convey the first passenger capsule later this year. It had already signed a 150 km Hyperloop system between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, partly expected to be operational in 2020. This agreement is the foundation to eventually run Hyperloop in between the Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Richard Branson announced earlier this year that he had signed an agreement with India’s Maharashtra State government to build Virgin Hyperloop One connecting the distance reaching up to 150 kilometers between two cities, Mumbai and Pune. We may eventually reap the benefits of the Hyperloop bringing the world closer together.

Most Hyperloop companies are developing tubes or tunnels out of steel from which most of the air has been removed. POSCO is also researching the application of steel designed for the Hyperloop while at its refurbished “Steel Gallery” exhibit at POSCO Center, visitors can experience Hyperloop through an interactive wall to learn about the anticipated performances of steel in the near future.

Beating Ground Traffic on a Drone Taxi

CityAirbus’s Drone Taxi underway (Source: Helicopter Newswire)

The opening scene of “Blade Runner 2049” released in October last year features a flying car whirring across the sky. The Passenger, Blade Runner “K” played by Ryan Gosling wakes up from what is a self-driving vehicle, flying him across his journeys. This premise of flying cars is always that one thing common in Sci-Fi movies, even the older version of Blade Runner which hit theaters back in 1982.

Considering its advantages versus overpopulation and hours idling in traffic, this may come away from the silver screen and into our real lives. No less than 19 companies have pursued the competition in commercializing flying cars.

Last May, Uber has teamed up with NASA, announcing its plans to service aerial taxi services by 2023 in LA, Dallas, and Dubai. Uber has signed an agreement with NASA to plan a new air traffic control software for what could be the beginning of establishing a new aerial smart system enabling advanced and efficient infrastructure from up above. Its’ servicing demonstration video reveals the passenger booking her flight through Uber app. Uber has already invested €20 million in flying taxi service in Paris, France. Its high-profile competitor, the Kitty Hawk project backed by Google founder, Larry Page has released its own version of the flying vehicle commercially available for sale.

Other countries such as Dubai and Japan have adopted their own versions of drone taxi services and is expediting its completion and starting launch by 2020. The Japanese government has partnered up with companies such as Boeing, Airbus, and Japanese Airlines and hopes to launch its prototype to be used to light the Olympic flame during the Games hosted by Tokyo in 2020.

Cars with wings especially require utmost safety and lightweighting even more so than most ground-based cars. POSCO’s ultra-high intensity steel sheet produced with advanced Giga Steel will be unequaled in offering such breakthrough technology.

These examined future transportations require steel as its fundamental material. Steel in itself faces constant evolution, not unlike the advancement of transportation as it is unique for both its strength and lightweight. Keeping its endless possibilities in mind, steel’s significance will be proven further in the newer forms of transportation to come.

The future may look uncertain for commercial aviation, but the increasing demand for passenger flights, the need for new aircraft as well as new innovations are expected to stimulate the industry in 2018 and beyond.

SEE ALSO: Game Changers in Aviation that Will Empower the Way We Fly

Smaller planes, more frequent miles

City pairs, or pairs of departure and arrival airports, are growing around the globe. According to Aviation Week Network’s 2018 Fleet & MRO Forecasts, South Asia’s routes will increase from 650 in 2006 to 1200 by 2026. African routes will expand from 1400 to 2600 in the same time frame and Russia and the CIS region will see an additional 1000 routes by 2026.

For such city pairs, 100 to 150-seat aircrafts are ideal, and airlines will opt to add more of the crafts to their fleet over larger crafts that are hard to fill.

Smaller, 100 to 150-seat planes will be in higher demand. (Source: Quora)

The growing global demand for passenger flights will further contribute to the need for more small-sized planes. In 2016, a total of 3.8 billion passengers flew the skies, and the number is projected to reach 4.3 billion in 2018.

Out with the old, in with the new

In the next 20 years, most of the existing fleet of aircraft will retire, and be replaced with new aircrafts. This will create an increased demand for airplane parts, new technology and labor. The overall volume of the global fleet will increase at an average yearly rate of 3.1 percent, and a major bulk of the supply is projected to come from the Asia-Pacific region.

MRO for older aircraft will open new business opportunities. (Source: Crescent Capital)

To add, the cost of maintenance, repairs and overhaul (MRO) for aircrafts older than 10 years will reach USD 1 trillion for the first time ever, creating more business opportunities for suppliers and service providers.

Military aircraft will play its part in the Aviation Industry

In the U.S., the government is planning to spend USD 400 billion on fifth generation F-35 fighter jets made by Lockheed Martin Corp, and 11 other countries are currently working out a purchase deal worth over USD 37 billion.

Fifth generation F-35 fighter jets are one of the most advanced military jets ever. (Source: Gizmodo)

Moreover, USD 67.3 billion is projected to be spent on the MRO of the world’s military aircraft, up 14.9 percent from USD 58.6 billion in 2008. With increasing tensions all over the world and subsequent rise in defense spending, demand for military aircraft will likely continue.

And then there’s flying cars

Although not traditionally counted as part of the aviation industry, flying cars are popping up in cities around the world and blurring the lines that define different transportation industries. With increasing investment, flying vehicles may become a reality in the next couple of years, and most will be flying on clean fuel. Here are some companies with plans to launch flying cars.

Volvo’s TF-X is one of several flying cars in development. (Source: The Verge)

Uber

Uber recently announced its partnership with NASA to develop an electric aircraft taxi service called UberAIR, planned to be up and running in 2020. If successful, the vehicle will be quieter than a helicopter, travel up to 150 mph and charging will only take about 4 minutes. Uber has plans to test the service shortly in L.A., after successful trials in Dallas and Dubai. If all goes well, travel time in L.A.’s rush hour can decrease by a third.

Airbus

Airbus is looking to launch their CityAirBus in the skies for taxi service in 2018. The all-electric vertical takeoff vehicles will transport people up to 80 mph over congested traffic to destinations like rooftops, train stations and airports. The vehicles can carry up to 4 passengers at a time and travel up to 80 mph. In the beginning stages of its launch, Airbus plans to have a pilot on board the flights over fixed routes, but will work towards autonomous operations.

Volvo

Geely, which is the parent company that owns Volvo, recently purchased a flying-car startup, Terrafugia. The company aims to have its flying cars in operation by 2019, with a range of 400 miles on a single charge and travel speed of up to 100 mph. Terrafugia already received the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) approval to start flying. They are also working on their next model, the TF-X, which can fly up to 200 mph and will cost around EUR 180,000.

The aviation industry will see many changes in the coming years. Although steeply rising oil prices will play a major factor in the profitability of the industry, the rising demand for passenger flights, increased military spending and new innovations will lead production and create new business opportunities for 2018 and beyond.