It was full steam ahead at Elon Musk’s The Boring Company public meeting in L.A. yesterday, The Verge reports. The gathering was arranged to discuss developments with the tunnel The Boring Company is currently developing, with conversation covering free test-rides, dirt removal, and a reassurance that the tunnel won’t collapse.
The idea behind the tunnel is to transport huge numbers of people at very low cost, with LA Metro revealing a partnership with Musk’s company before the meeting. Musk’s vision involves “pods” that will transport 16 passengers at a time for a fee of $1 per person. And if you’re dubious, Musk has offered free rides to change your mind.
Here’s an idea of what the pods will look like:
Free rides aside, major talking points from the meeting included exactly how The Boring Company is developing the tunnel, how it’s tackling dirt removal, and how The Boring Company has been recycling said dirt into bricks. The tunnel-boring machines use Tesla Model 3 batteries and engines, and can shift around a quarter million pounds of dirt per load.
The interlocking bricks that have been developed using that waste will line the tunnel walls, and are made by compressing the dirt and mixing it with a little concrete. Musk reassured attendees that the bricks are also “rated for California seismic loads,” which should hopefully put concerned residents’ minds at ease.
We also got an update on The Boring Company’s flamethrowers. After facing “delivery challenges,” they will now be sent out via “custom delivery to your house or business, with a Boring Company van.”
Do you want to take a ride in the tunnel? Let us know in the comments.
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