Get All Access for $5/mo

Elon Musk's 'Boring' Tunnel System Speeds Cars Along at 130 MPH The SpaceX and Tesla CEO talked about his new side project at TED.

By Stephen J. Bronner Edited by Dan Bova

The Boring Company

If Elon Musk gets his way, there will be interconnected systems of tunnels beneath our roads, with elevators that bring vehicles down to sleds that then shoot them off on rails at 130 MPH. Check out this video to see what he means:

The system will be managed by a computer and resembles packets of data going around, much like broadband internet.

Related: Here's Your First Look at Elon Musk's Tunnel Drilling Machine

That's the vision the Tesla and SpaceX co-founder shared today at TED for his new side project, The Boring Company, which he added he only devotes 2 to 3 percent of his time to.

"There's no real limit to how many levels of tunnels you can have," he said. "The deepest mines are much deeper than the tallest buildings are tall."

Still, there's lots of work to be done at The Boring Company, which currently only has interns and part-timers working to fulfill Musk's dreams of reducing traffic. For one, the boring machines are slow.

"We have a pet snail named Gary," he said. "Gary is capable of currently going 14 times faster than a tunnel boring machine. We want to beat Gary. He's not a patient little fellow, that will be victory. Victory will be beating the snail."

Musk also shed light on why he sees tunnels as a good solution for traffic as opposed to flying cars, which he said are noisy and generate lots of wind.

Related: Uber Unveils Personal Airplane Design and Plans Tests in 2020

"Let's just say if something is flying over your head ... that is not an anxiety-reducing situation," he said. "You don't think to yourself 'Well, I feel better about today.' You're thinking … 'Is it going to come off and guillotine me as it comes flying past?'"

You know, that thought never crossed my mind, but now that you mention it, Elon, tunnels are sounding pretty good.

Stephen J. Bronner

Entrepreneur Staff

News Director

Stephen J. Bronner writes mostly about packaged foods. His weekly column is The Digest. He is very much on top of his email.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

Looking for a Remote Job? Here Are the Most In-Demand Skills to Have on Your Resume, According to Employers.

Employers are looking for interpersonal skills like teamwork as well as specific coding skills.

Starting a Business

After Curing Her Debilitating Pain With Traditional Chinese Medicine, She Started a Business to Deliver Ancient Treatments With Modern Tech: 'You Saved My Life.'

Founder and CEO Camilla Sievers shares the inspiration and growth story of Qi Health, a digital health platform focused on providing women access to TCM treatments.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

Video: SpaceX Is Launching Starship's Sixth Test Flight—Watch the Lift Off and Catch Attempt Live

President-elect Donald Trump is expected to attend SpaceX's sixth test flight of its Starship rocket on Tuesday.

Franchise

Private Equity Giant Blackstone Acquires Jersey Mike's Subs for $8 Billion

This move solidifies Blackstone's ongoing interest in high-growth, fast-casual franchises and marks a pivotal moment for the beloved sub chain.