I just returned from a work event in Chicago, but alas, I did not try the clear pumpkin pie at Aliena. I did, however, endure taxi rides that belong in an amusement park somewhere, and spent many hours waiting in the airport on either end. It is easy to think there must be a better way to travel.
Well, it turns out Elon Musk has been thinking the same thing. His idea for pneumatic vacuum tube transportation that could make it possible to go from New York to Los Angeles in 30 minutes - yes, that is cross country in half-an-hour - seems like something from a science fiction film. But, a company called Arrivo is planning a hyperloop-inspired form of public transportation in Denver sometime in the next five years. It doesn't use pneumatics like Musk's vision does; instead, it uses magnets to create a levitating cabin that can speed through tubes around the city at speeds up to 200 mph. Kinda makes true hyperloop transportation seem a lot more possible. In the meantime, take a look at Arrivo's video for the plans in Denver. Enjoy the ride!