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submitted 2 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[-] [email protected] 12 points 2 weeks ago

I like the idea, but there doesn't seem a way for a pod to temporarily move into the other track, which raises questions. Like, how do they handle rebalancing the pods? Ideally, you want a free one at each station for the next person who comes along, but if you come into a station with pods already there, do you have to get out and move to the first pod? Or when you leave your station, do all the pods on the line automatically move one station up the line, making a new pod available for the next person and leaving you a smooth trip to your destination (but limiting energy savings)? Do the pods have to cycle all the way to the end of the line to turn around (again, energy inefficient if most of the traffic is between a lesser number of stations)?

I like the idea, I really do! I'm just curious how they handle balancing availability and traffic.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago

Good questions. I guess given how lightweight these pods look there could be probably some sort of lifting device at some of the stations to move the pods between the two rails.

[-] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago

The article actually says they're developing a device to transfer them from one track to the other

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this post was submitted on 17 May 2024
201 points (97.6% liked)

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