SpaceX Hyperloop pod competition delayed until 2017

As testing on Hyperloop, SpaceX's high-tech, high-speed transportation system of the future, progresses, the Elon Musk-founded company has announced a delay in the ongoing competition for the design of the pod vehicles. The contest was originally scheduled to be held later this summer, but will now take place in January 2017, giving the participated teams more time to work on their designs.

"We know everyone is really excited to show off their designs, but many have also told us that you'd like more time to refine your designs. We've listened to the teams' feedback, and to maximize the number of participating teams, Competition Weekend will be held on January 27-29, 2017," an update to SpaceX's Hyperloop website reads.

The first round of the competition was held earlier this year, with over 120 teams submitting designs. 29 teams were invited to the next round, and must now build a working, three-fourth scale prototype of their concept to be tested on SpaceX's mile-long test track, located in Hawthorne, California.

The delay from August to January likely comes as a relief to the participating teams, as they now have another five months to work on their submissions. Then again, SpaceX could be just as relieved, as that means more time for them to complete construction of their test track.

SOURCE SpaceX