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<keyword id="6355315" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="elon-musk" source="Orion">Elon Musk</keyword>’s <keyword id="6396317" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="hyperloop" source="Orion">hyperloop</keyword> has been rubberbanding between revolutionary and a literal pipe dream since the SpaceX founder popularised the concept over a decade ago. However, many companies have diligently kept at it, with one recently hitting a major milestone. Let’s look at the breakthrough that marks an important step in developing this high-speed <keyword id="34991" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="transportation" source="Orion">transportation</keyword> system that could reshape future travel. <h2>But first, what is the hyperloop?</h2>The hyperloop is a proposed transportation system in which passenger pods would travel through vacuum-sealed tubes at extremely high speeds — estimated to run at over a 1000 kilometres an hour! Introducing the concept in 2012, Musk envisioned a transportation solution where pods would use magnetic levitation and air bearings to travel at remarkable speeds with minimal air resistance. The low-pressure environment within the tubes would make the system highly energy efficient while slashing travel times between major cities. Though Musk initiated the idea, his direct involvement in hyperloop development has been sporadic. Instead, he opened the technology to the world, encouraging companies and universities to take the idea forward. Over the years, various organisations have attempted to make the hyperloop a reality. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113196061" title="Elon Musk may be world&amp;#39;s first trillionaire by 2027, Adani to touch the mark by 2028, Ambani in 2033: Report" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h2>What happened in the new test?</h2>The latest breakthrough comes from a September 2024 test by <keyword id="23112501" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hardt-hyperloop" source="keywords">Hardt Hyperloop</keyword> in the Netherlands. In this test, the capsule was successfully levitated and propelled inside a 420-metre-long tube using magnetic fields and a depressurised environment. The vehicle reached a modest speed of about 30 kmph in this initial test over 100 metres, while the goal is to eventually achieve speeds of 700 kmph. "The most difficult things that we are doing now is to test all of these functions together. Levitation, propulsion, guidance, all of those functions we are now capable of executing as an orchestra, making them work together," explains Roel van de Pas, commercial director of Hardt Hyperloop. The company aims to implement passenger operations by 2030, though the technology still faces challenges like high infrastructure costs. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113178707" title="Not everyone is impressed by Elon Musk&amp;#39;s shiny new AI supercomputer" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h2>International hyperloop advances and India’s stance</h2><keyword id="1334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="china" source="Orion">China</keyword> has also made strides in hyperloop technology. In 2023, China’s maglev hyperloop capsule reportedly reached speeds of 623 kilometres per hour in a controlled environment. With China’s rapid pace of technological development and infrastructure expansion, it has positioned itself as a strong competitor in the global race to perfect hyperloop technology. Several countries beyond China are also advancing hyperloop research. In the United States, the <keyword id="3356943" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hyperloop-one" source="Orion">Hyperloop One</keyword> conducted a manned test in 2020, reaching speeds of over 160 kmph. The pod even had two daring passengers — Virgin Hyperloop’s co-founder Josh Giegel and Head of Passenger Experience Sara Luchian. Unfortunately, the company has now shut down, despite being one of the most promising and well-funded hyperloop startups since the introduction of the concept. However, if you’re waiting for the futuristic tech to arrive in India, you’re going to have to wait quite a while longer. Expressing a cautious stance on hyperloop development, NITI Aayog member V. K. Saraswat explained that India is unlikely to see hyperloop trains anytime soon due to the high infrastructure costs and uncertain feasibility for mass transport applications. As per Saraswat, the tech is still at a “low level of maturity”. While the hyperloop has long been touted as a revolutionary transit system, its path to reality has been slow and uncertain. The technology still faces major obstacles, including high costs, regulatory hurdles, and the challenge of building extensive tube networks across countries. However, the recent successful tests, coupled with China’s progress, offer hope that this ambitious project might eventually come to fruition.

Remember Musk's hyperloop? A European company has just completed its first vehicle test for the next-gen mobility tech!

As the world celebrates World EV Day, <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s significant progress in adopting <keyword id="19895203" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="electric-vehicles" source="keywords">electric vehicles</keyword> (EVs) across various categories is commendable, however, there is still a long way to go. The government of India's <keyword id="23096041" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vaahan-Dashboard" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Vaahan Dashboard" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Vaahan Dashboard">Vaahan Dashboard</keyword> data shows an increasing trend to shift towards green mobility solutions. The most notable trend in EV penetration has been witnessed in the three-wheeler category, where EVs have surged ahead in overall sales. According to the data, 53.61% of all new three-wheeler vehicles purchased this year (2024) were electric, making this segment the leader in <keyword id="20421629" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="EV-adoption" source="keywords">EV adoption</keyword>. The two-wheeler segment has also shown encouraging signs of EV adoption, with electric vehicles accounting for 4.97% of all two-wheeler sales so far in 2024. While the percentage is lower compared to <keyword id="20412606" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="three-wheelers" source="keywords">three-wheelers</keyword>, the two-wheeler category holds significant potential for growth, given its dominance in India's overall vehicle sales market. As more consumers seek cost-effective and <keyword id="20991927" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environmentally-friendly" source="keywords">environmentally friendly</keyword> alternatives, the penetration of EVs in this segment is expected to grow further in the coming years. However, in the four-wheeler segment, the adoption of EVs remains relatively low, with electric cars making up just 2.14% of total car sales this year. Despite this, the increasing availability of EV models and government incentives are expected to drive further growth in this segment. Interestingly, the penetration of electric buses is higher than that of electric cars, with 3.20% of all new buses sold in 2024 being electric. This trend highlights the growing importance of sustainable public transport solutions as cities aim to reduce emissions and promote cleaner alternatives in mass transit. "Electric vehicles offer a very compelling solutions because they do not emit any tailpipe emissions so that improves their air quality that reduces their air pollution. It also reduces the carbon emission so it helps India to meet with its climate goals and generally, electric vehicles have lower operating cost as compared to the IC engine vehicles," said Samhita Shiledar, Director RMI to ANI. On a state-wise level, the Vaahan dashboard data highlighted that Goa leads the country in EV penetration, with 14.20% of all new vehicles sold this year being electric. Tripura ranks second, followed by Chandigarh in third place. Delhi also stands out with a 10.72% penetration of EVs in total vehicle sales, showcasing the capital's push towards sustainable urban mobility. On the other hand, Himachal Pradesh reported the lowest EV penetration, with only 1.09% of new vehicles sold being electric. In terms of total number of EV sales across all segments in India, the two-wheeler category dominates the electric vehicle market in India, accounting for approximately 51% of total EV sales this year. As World EV Day highlights the global commitment to cleaner mobility solutions, India's data reflects a promising shift but a long way to go towards electrification across various vehicle segments.

World EV Day: 50%+ three-wheelers, 5% of 2-wheelers, and 2% of cars purchased in 2024 are EVs.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Mobile World Congress, a mobile communications trade show, is coming to Las Vegas this week.</li><li>This year, it focuses on enterprise transformation, AI networks, and 5G edge computing.</li></ul>Techies, salespeople, and industry executives are arriving in Nevada this week for MWC Las Vegas, which kicks off today.Big-name companies are set to be in attendance, with speakers from Nvidia, Salesforce, and UScellular giving presentations or panel talks.The annual mobile-communications trade show brings more than 250 exhibitors, sponsors, and partners to the Las Vegas Convention Center in Sin City from Tuesday to Thursday."MWC Las Vegas 2024 is North America's top event for businesses and industries looking to harness the power of 5G and AI," Lara Dewar, chief marketing officer of the conference's organizer, GSMA, told Business Insider. "It brings together leading experts in 5G technology, showcasing real-life use cases that demonstrate how 5G, edge computing, and IoT are transforming industries, driving innovation, and solving critical business challenges."5G technology is on track to add $210 billion in GDP to the North American economy by 2030, GSMA's "Mobile Economy North America" <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-economy/northamerica/">report said</a>.Key themes at MWC this year include enterprise transformation, AI networks, and 5G edge computing."5G is at a pivotal point at the moment, in particular when it comes to the opportunities for B2B business," Dewar said. "Telcos are looking to monetize their investments in 5G and they need to look beyond core telecom solutions and service areas, which offer limited headroom for growth. Enterprise spending on tech services, such as cloud and data center, cybersecurity, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/iot-devices-security-concerns-5g-networks-2023-11">IoT</a>, analytics, AI, blockchain and network <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/what-is-an-api">APIs</a> — is around five times the spend on traditional communications at $1.16 trillion in 2023."<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://data.gsmaintelligence.com/research/research/research-2024/the-opportunity-for-operators-in-b2b-technology-services">Research</a> that GSMA Intelligence released this month suggests there's an addressable market of more than $400 billion, or roughly 35% of the current mobile-operator revenue base globally, for telecommunications companies trying to drive revenue in the business-to-business space.Over its three days, the conference is scheduled to feature sessions on applications of 5G and connected technology in everything from transportation and healthcare to homeland security and entertainment. Sponsors and partners this year include Verizon, Qualcomm, T-Mobile, Cisco, Microsoft, and Booz Allen.Major phone makers have launched 5G-enabled devices in recent years, with Samsung launching its first 5G-compatible phone in 2019 and Apple doing so in 2020. This year, artificial-intelligence features were the key focus for smartphone makers, with Apple announcing Apple Intelligence and Samsung and Google announcing new AI features for their respective Galaxy and Pixel lines.Ulf Ewaldsson, T-Mobile's president of technology and one of the speakers for the conference's opening keynote Tuesday, said it's "an incredibly exciting time" in the industry."Right now, we're at a bit of a crossroads in the 5G journey. We're about halfway through its lifecycle," he said. "There's major themes beyond 5G standalone to keep an eye on, like AI and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/technologies/networks/5g-network-technologies-and-solutions/5g-advanced/">5G Advanced</a>. The most exciting thing to me about MWC Americas this year is sharing the progress we've made to empower businesses to leverage the power of 5G like never before, with powerful capabilities like network slicing benefiting across different industries and enterprises."The trade show in Vegas comes more than seven months after Mobile World Congress Barcelona, which is also hosted by GSMA. That conference attracted device makers including Motorola, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Lenovo, and the AI-pin company Humane.For the Vegas conference, notable speakers include Nvidia's senior vice president for telecommunications, Ronnie Vasishta; Verizon Global Services' president, Shankar Arumugavelu; the Department of the Air Force's chief information officer, Venice Goodwine; and Randi Zuckerberg, the CEO of Hug and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's sister.

Techies, salespeople, and industry execs arrive in Las Vegas for the Mobile World Congress trade show

The electric vehicle (EV) market in India is evolving rapidly, and with the festive season approaching, many consumers are contemplating whether to wait for the usual <keyword id="23152657" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="festive-discounts" source="keywords">festive discounts</keyword> or take advantage of government incentives. One of the key schemes driving <keyword id="20421629" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="EV-adoption" source="keywords">EV adoption</keyword> has been the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and <keyword id="19895203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicles" source="keywords">Electric Vehicles</keyword> (FAME) initiative in 2015, which is transitioning to phase 2 in 2019. As per the recent announcement from the government, the government is replacing FAME II with a new scheme for the next two years. And no, it’s not FAME III! <h2><keyword id="23136597" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="PM-E-Drive" source="keywords">PM E-Drive</keyword> subsidy comes into effect</h2>The PM E-Drive subsidy aims to build on the success of previous versions, where over 16 lakh vehicles benefited from FAME 2. However, unlike its predecessor which included subsidies for passenger EVs, PM E-Drive has reportedly limited subsidies to only two-wheelers, three-wheelers, buses, hybrid ambulances and electric trucks. All in all, the scheme, with an outlay of Rs 10,900 crores, is expected to support 24.79 lakh electric two-wheelers, 3.16 lakh e-three wheelers, and 14,028 e-buses, along with a plethora of other features to improve the national e-mobility ecosystem. This also includes 22,100 fast chargers for e-4 Ws, 1800 fast chargers for e-buses and 48,400 fast chargers for e-2W/3Ws that will be set up in selected cities with high EV penetration and highways to allay the “range anxiety” of EV buyers. More specifically, Rs 3,679 crores have been provided to incentivise e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-ambulances, e-trucks and other emerging EVs. These incentives are expected to help reduce the upfront cost of electric vehicles, making them accessible to a larger segment of the population. Additionally, state-run bus companies will likely see increased support, further boosting the public transport EV ecosystem.<div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113282182" title="Automobile industry hails PM e-DRIVE scheme to promote EVs" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>As a result, PM E-Drive will particularly benefit individuals and businesses looking for two- and three-wheelers, as well as state transportation corporations. Small businesses that rely on electric three-wheelers for deliveries or passenger services could also see significant savings, which can be reinvested into their operations. <h2>How does it compare to festival deals?</h2>While the <keyword id="20022183" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-subsidies" source="keywords">government subsidies</keyword> under PM E-Drive offer substantial savings, festival season sales from EV manufacturers can provide additional discounts and promotions, such as reduced down payments, lower interest rates, and free charging infrastructure. However, these discounts are often limited-time offers and might not match the long-term financial benefits provided by government subsidies. For example, if you’re in the market for a <keyword id="23152655" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="two-wheeler-EV" source="keywords">two-wheeler EV</keyword>, PM E-Drive incentives might be more valuable than a one-time festive discount of Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000, based on the final discounts that automakers provide. Additionally, manufacturers sometimes adjust their prices before offering festival deals, potentially reducing the actual discount. On the other hand, FAME subsidies are fixed and directly reduce the vehicle's purchase cost. Therefore, if you're primarily looking at entry-level electric vehicles like scooters or bikes, PM E-Drive might offer a more substantial and stable financial benefit than waiting for festive discounts. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113239075" title="Drivers are feeling better about EV range and charging infrastructure, but still aren&amp;#39;t ready to go electric" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h2>Should you buy now or wait?</h2>The decision to wait for the festival season or go ahead with the purchase largely depends on what you're looking for. If you're in the market for an electric two-wheeler or three-wheeler, the government subsidies under PM E-Drive — when they finally arrive — could be more beneficial than the temporary discounts during the festival season. However, if you're eyeing an electric car, especially a high-end one, the limited scope of PM E-Drive for passenger EVs might mean that festival offers provide better value. If you’re contemplating waiting for the festival season to purchase an electric two-wheeler, these festive offers could stack up alongside the PM E-Drive subsidies, if automakers integrate the scheme into their pricing by then. Festival deals may even provide additional perks such as easy EMI options and free service packages, which aren't typically covered under government schemes. Therefore, it's worth evaluating both festive deals and FAME subsidies to maximise savings. In conclusion, the launch of PM E-Drive brings a solid financial incentive to accelerate India's transition to <keyword id="20138204" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-mobility" source="keywords">electric mobility</keyword>. Those considering two- or three-wheelers may want to act quickly as these subsidies roll out, while car buyers might want to weigh their options as the festive season approaches.

Waiting for the festive season to buy an EV? Cabinet approves PM E-Drive subsidising most EVs, sans electric cars

The <keyword id="20163832" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="society-of-indian-automobile" source="keywords">Society of Indian Automobile</keyword> Manufacturers (<keyword id="108827" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="siam" source="Orion">SIAM</keyword>) and big auto players have hailed the Cabinet decision of PM e-DRIVE schemes aimed at promoting electric mobility across the country. The Rs 10,900 crore scheme will support 2,479,000 electric 2-wheelers, 316,000 electric 3-wheelers and 14,028 electric buses, along with 88,500 <keyword id="186291" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="ev" source="Orion">EV</keyword> charging sites. Shailesh Chandra, President of SIAM and Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd &amp; Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, expressed strong support for the government's forward-thinking initiative. Chandra said, "This forward-thinking initiative reflects the Government's unwavering support for <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s transition to electric mobility, fostering innovation and investment within the sector. We believe this scheme will not only enhance the growth of the EV ecosystem but also strengthen India's leadership in the global movement towards environmental sustainability." Dr Anish Shah, Group CEO &amp; MD, Mahindra Group also commended government's efforts, specifically highlighting the comprehensive nature of the PM e-DRIVE scheme. Shah said, "We applause the government for launching the PM e-drive scheme. With continued focused support on 2Ws, 3Ws, e-buses and thoughtful addition of e-ambulances, the scheme will drive higher EV penetration in the country." M&amp;M noted that schemes like <keyword id="21028" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fame" source="Orion">FAME</keyword> and <keyword id="48070" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="emps" source="Orion">EMPS</keyword> have already driven penetration of electric three-wheelers in India. "Investments laid out for fast charging infrastructure for all segments will help in increasing consumer confidence for faster adoption of EVs. FAME and EMPS have helped in 20 per cent e-3W penetration in the country. With PM e-drive, we foresee India becoming the first country to achieve 100 per cent electrification in this segment by 2030", he added. The Union Cabinet, on Wednesday, cleared the 'PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM e-DRIVE) Scheme,' with a total outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over two years. It includes Rs 3,679 crore in subsidies and demand incentives for e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-ambulances, e-trucks, and other emerging electric vehicles. It is expected to support the deployment of 24.79 lakh e-2Ws, 3.16 lakh e-3Ws, and 14,028 e-buses, providing a significant push to India's EV ecosystem. A critical aspect of the scheme is the introduction of e-vouchers for EV buyers. At the time of purchase, an Aadhaar-authenticated e-voucher will be generated, which will enable buyers to avail of demand incentives. Additionally, the scheme allocates Rs 500 crore for the deployment of e-ambulances, marking a new initiative to integrate electric vehicles into essential public services. Another Rs 4,391 crore has been earmarked for the procurement of 14,028 e-buses, with a demand aggregation process led by CESL in nine major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Intercity and interstate e-buses will also be supported in consultation with states. Furthermore, Rs 500 crore has been set aside to incentivize the adoption of e-trucks, a critical move given that trucks are one of the largest contributors to air pollution. The scheme encourages those with a scrapping certificate from <keyword id="19897457" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ministry-of-road-transport" source="keywords">Ministry of Road Transport</keyword> and Highways-approved (MoRTH) vehicle scrapping centres to participate in this transition. With an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore, the scheme will support the installation of 22,100 fast chargers for four-wheelers, 1,800 fast chargers for e-buses, and 48,400 fast chargers for two- and three-wheelers. These chargers will be installed in cities with high EV penetration and along selected highways, making long-distance EV travel more viable.

Automobile industry hails PM e-DRIVE scheme to promote EVs

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Some retailers and fast-food chains are limiting their operations following a global IT outage.</li><li>McDonald's Japan said some of its stores had temporarily closed.</li></ul>A <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/major-disruptions-airline-bank-london-stock-exchange-microsoft-outage-2024-7">massive IT outage</a> has taken its toll on some grocery stores, retailers, and fast-food giants around the world.Starbucks' mobile-ordering system appears to be experiencing widespread issues in the US, with stores listing their order-ahead function as "not available."One barista in Atlanta, whose identity has been verified by BI, said that mobile orders weren't operating at their store. "Definitely a weekend that I'm glad to be not working," they said.Various Reddit users, whose identities haven't been verified by BI but who say they're Starbucks baristas, said the disruptions led to chaos at their stores and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/starbucks/comments/1e74zsd/is_everyone_surviving_the_outages/">long lines</a> of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/starbucksbaristas/comments/1e70xwb/everything_is_down_and_were_still_open_and_doing/">angry and impatient customers</a>. Some said that their stores had closed over the issue.Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.McDonald's Japan said on Friday some of its stores had temporarily closed or were only running limited operations because of a malfunction of their in-store cash registers. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-19/mcdonald-s-in-japan-hit-by-systems-outage-closing-30-of-stores">Bloomberg</a> reported that about a third of outlets in Japan were closed on Friday.A McDonald's spokesperson later told Business Insider that all its restaurants in Japan were open and operating.The Australian grocery-store chain Woolworths told BI that some stores had been affected by the IT issue. The chain said that all but six stores were open, while some had fewer checkouts functioning.A banner on Woolworths' website said it was "experiencing intermittent technical difficulties instore and online."Coles, another Australian grocery-store chain, told BI it was being "affected by a global technical issue which is disrupting some of our systems in our supermarkets and liquor stores."A spokesperson from the UK grocery-store chain Morrisons told BI that it was "experiencing some issues with payment in some stores." And a spokesperson for Waitrose, another UK grocery-store chain, told BI it had "briefly" experienced issues with contactless payments.Various other companies reported issues with some card payments not working on Friday.Transport for Ireland <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/TFIupdates/status/1814207452105060808">said</a> that the top-up app for its transport passes had been down for several <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/TFIupdates/status/1814295821069750528">hours</a>. WWF Australia <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/WWF_Australia/status/1814212390348894368">said</a> that its credit-card-donation system was down and told people to donate via PayPal instead. Trelissick, a country house in Cornwall, England, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/NTTrelissick/status/1814231647945896189">said</a> that visitors couldn't pay by card. A cinema and café in Bristol, England, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/wshed/status/1814222356807598554">said</a> that it could only accept cash.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/live-blog/2024-07-19/microsoft-cloud-technical-outage-updates">Bloomberg</a> reported that staff at the Ocean Park Marriott in Hong Kong were using pen and paper to check guests in. "We are actively working with our vendors to resolve issues that have impacted certain hotel systems," a spokesperson for Marriott International told BI.Major airlines, banks, and supermarkets are experiencing widespread disruptions linked to an IT outage after Microsoft reported problems with its online services, linked to an issue at the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike.But not all retailers have been affected. Representatives for the UK grocery-store chains Asda, Sainsbury's, and Marks &amp; Spencer told BI that they were operating as normal. And a spokesperson for the US-based chain Kroger said it wasn't experiencing any major issues.

Global IT outage hits Starbucks mobile-order system and card payments at businesses

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I exercised using five virtual-reality workouts on my Meta Quest 3 headset.</li><li>The best workout apps used interesting visuals and competitive elements.</li></ul>We are officially in the fitness industry's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/extended-reality-fitness-brands-meta-quest-headset-workouts-2024-3">extended-reality era</a>, which means you don't need to leave your house to get a fully immersive workout.With virtual-reality (VR) technology and devices like a Meta Quest headset, users can participate in classes through mixed-reality platforms.Though VR feels like the future of working out, I love real-life exercise classes and wondered if technology could really replace them. So, I tested popular apps with VR workouts like Supernatural, Litesport, Xponential+, FitXR, and Les Mills XR Bodycombat.I did the workouts with my Meta Quest 3 headset, which <a target="_blank" href="https://www.meta.com/quest/quest-3/">starts at about $500</a>. However, this equipment was not required for every workout app I tried.Here's what I thought of each of the VR workouts.<h2>The Supernatural VR app combined beautiful surroundings with full-body workouts</h2><div type="image" title="A hand next to an oblong white Meta VR headset with two black-and-white controllers in front of it" height="2875" width="3834" msid="109252811" hostid="261" sizebytes="494006"></div>App: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.getsupernatural.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw2a6wBhCVARIsABPeH1sUOpU8AUYo40_2J_4MfnfTS_ZYB2zH0hobfn_MdK8LmXV9dUlCbBUaAiu-EALw_wcB">Supernatural VR</a>Payment options: 14-day free trial, then $10 monthly or $100 annuallyDescription: A full-body workout set in a wanderlust-worthy destination with a personal trainer and popular musicThe Supernatural VR app pairs <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-bike-trails-in-every-state-2018-11">travel and exercise</a> by virtually transporting users to beautiful places.When I opened the app and started my first boxing workout, my apartment was transformed into <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-things-to-do-iceland-things-to-skip-frequent-traveler-2023-12">Iceland's Blue Lagoon</a>. It was like the VR trainer and I were doing drills while floating above snowy mountains and blue water.Throughout my <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/signs-your-workout-is-hurting-you-2018-5">exercise routine</a>, I worked up a sweat on Mars, Machu Picchu, and the Great Wall of China. The locations were random, but I liked being surprised by a different place for each workout.The app's music library set it apart from the other VR workout apps I've tried, many of which didn't have recognizable songs. I also liked that the workouts felt like a video game, and the instructor would tell me when to twist, squat, and hit my controllers.During one workout, the controllers in my hands became baseball bats, and I was instructed to swing at VR targets approaching me. For a lower-body exercise, I ducked and squatted as triangles of varying widths and sizes moved toward me.The controllers vibrated every time I destroyed a target, and it was satisfying to see my score, based on a combination of accuracy and power, at the end of each session.<h2>I had a realistic trainer in the Litesport app</h2><div type="image" title="The writer wears a purple workout set and holds two controllers and wears a VR headset in an apartment with a TV, snake plants, and prints on the wall" height="900" width="1200" msid="109252927" hostid="261" sizebytes="102912"></div>App: <a target="_blank" href="https://litesport.com/">Litesport</a>Payment options: Seven-day free trial, then $9 monthly (or $90 annually) for a standard plan or $19 monthly (or $180 annually) for a premium planDescription: A personal trainer guides users through boxing, strength training, and full-body exercises in a mixed-reality gymThe Litesport app stood out for its hands-on, realistic personal trainers. When I opened Litesport, I was virtually transported to a gym with a personal trainer to guide me through an introductory shadow-boxing routine.For this exercise, I swung at a virtual punching bag that lit up to demonstrate where to hit with my controllers. I was surprised I found it easier to follow a VR shadow-boxing class than real-life boxing classes I've tried.I also tried <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/strength-training-better-cardio-burning-fat-2023-10">strength-training classes</a>, where the user can hold real weights and record their progress through Meta's hand-tracking feature. This feature allows your headset to track hand movements, even if you aren't holding controllers.During the full-body classes, I also tried VR equipment like battle ropes. I'm sure actual battle ropes are much heavier than my controllers, but I felt more comfortable mirroring my virtual trainer's techniques than I typically do in classes with real equipment.<h2>It was hard to wear a headset and exercise with the workouts in the Xponential+ app</h2>App: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.xponential.plus/">Xponential+</a>Payment options: Seven-day free trial, then $30 monthly or $120 annuallyDescription: Realistic versions of classes from fitness brands like Club Pilates, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pure-barre-locations-close-franchisor-xponential-fitness-bizarre-emails-2023-11">Pure Barre</a>, StretchLab, and CycleBarXponential+ was the most realistic app I tried, which wasn't surprising since it has classes developed in partnership with brands like Club Pilates, Pure Barre, StretchLab, and CycleBar. The VR workout spaces looked like they were modeled off real-life studios.I had mixed feelings about this app. Taking classes in the Metaverse didn't quite compare to classes I enjoy in real life. Xponential+ felt like a slight upgrade to watching online classes on my phone.I liked that the VR instructor would appear on the floor, ceiling, and different areas around the room, so I didn't have to crane my neck to look at a screen. However, performing certain mat exercises while wearing a headset was tough.Xponential+ seemed to offer a good value, though. The VR experience comes with a mobile app, and the membership is significantly cheaper than real-life courses from these brands, which can cost as much as $50 for a single class.<h2>I felt competitive and motivated when I tried the FitXR app</h2><div type="image" title="The writer, wearing dark-blue leggings and a purple workout top, holds two controllers and wears a VR headset in front of a TV and entertainment set" height="2071" width="2762" msid="109252930" hostid="261" sizebytes="247968"></div>App: <a target="_blank" href="https://fitxr.com/">FitXR</a>Payment options: Seven-day free trial, then $13 monthly or $108 annuallyDescription: A gamified app that lets users compete against others in real time with sculpting, boxing, Zumba, combat, dance, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-hiit-classes-arent-necessary-to-lose-fat-get-fit-2020-9">HIIT classes</a>FitXR appeared to have the most class variety of all the apps I tried. The platform felt very personalized because when I opened the app, I was asked what types of workouts I like, how familiar I am with VR fitness, and even the desired personality of my trainer (such as "tough" or "motivating").FitXR had a video-game-type setup and a less realistic, almost animated aesthetic. For example, I punched glowing orbs during the boxing and combat classes and was transported to a cartoon stage during a Zumba course.Unlike the other apps I tried, FitXR had a multiplayer component where users could compete against each other in real time for the highest score. Players can share a room code with Pico or Meta users or invite others to play from their Meta friends list.I let the app randomly pair me with six other players to compete against, which was surprisingly motivating. When I came in last in a virtual Zumba workout, I tried another class and got a higher score. This score was based on how closely I matched the moves with my controllers.<h2>The Les Mills Bodycombat XR had cool graphics, but the workout was just OK</h2>App: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.lesmills.com/workouts/bodycombat-xr/">Les Mills Bodycombat XR</a>Payment options: One-time payment of $30Description: A VR workout app meant to make users feel like they're inside a video gameLes Mills XR Bodycombat felt like I was playing a video game. The backgrounds and graphics reminded me of the military-science-fiction video-game series Halo.The workouts felt similar to kickboxing, and there were some moves I hadn't seen in any of the other VR workout classes. For example, I could hit targets with my elbows.However, I wished the coaches, who were off-screen most of the time, would've demonstrated the exercises more often. I found their voices distracting, especially because they sometimes cracked jokes instead of providing any valuable input. I read online that users can silence them in the settings, but I couldn't figure out how to do so.The games also seemed a little slow-paced for me, but overall, it was still a fun workout with cool visuals.<h2>VR workout apps are helpful for those who need motivation, but they're not the best for long, strength-based workouts</h2><div type="image" title="Selfie of the author wearing a white Meta VR headset with three small windows on the surface. The writer is holding a controller" height="1616" width="2149" msid="109252934" hostid="261" sizebytes="94372"></div>Working out in the Metaverse was surprisingly fun. I exercised longer than usual because most of the VR visuals were entertaining and immersive.Many of the workout apps I tried tapped into my competitive drive by creating a video-game-like environment. I think apps with VR workouts are helpful for users who need <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/scientific-reasons-motivation-to-exercise-2016-7">motivation to exercise</a>, but there are better options for cardio or strength training in the real world.Some moves and workouts were also hard to do while wearing a bulky headset. I can't imagine doing burpees, a downward dog, or pushups in my Meta Quest 3.That being said, the VR workouts were some of the most <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/waking-up-for-morning-workout-tricks-2018-3">fun, motivating exercise</a> experiences I've had, and it was easy to make it a habit of working out at home. The next time I feel unmotivated to work out, I might try a VR exercise app.

I tried 5 virtual-reality workouts. The best ones transported me around the globe and got me to exercise for way longer.

French carmaker <keyword id="20312151" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="citroen" source="keywords">Citroen</keyword> on Monday said it will supply 4,000 units of its electric vehicle <keyword id="16079223" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="e-C3" source="Orion">e-C3</keyword> to <keyword id="20125728" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="blusmart-mobility" source="keywords">BluSmart Mobility</keyword>, over a period of 12 months. Citroen and <keyword id="20354062" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="blusmart" source="keywords">BluSmart</keyword> Mobility, a vertically integrated eMobility ride-hailing and EV charging service provider, have signed a memorandum of understanding for the same. As part of the initial phase, 125 Citroen e-C3 were flagged off from BluSmart's EV charging superhub in Bengaluru, the company said in a statement. "This collaborative effort between Citroen and BluSmart Mobility signifies a shared vision for a sustainable future in the realm of electric mobility, reaffirming our commitment to shaping a cleaner and greener transportation ecosystem," <keyword id="20964798" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="citroen-india-brand" source="keywords">Citroen India Brand</keyword> Director, <keyword id="20565839" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shishir-mishra" source="keywords">Shishir Mishra</keyword> said. He further said, "BluSmart's foray in the shared electric mobility space is a well applauded initiative that offers convenient and safe urban mobility without any tailpipe emission strengthening our collective mission to decarbonise cities by making EVs mainstream." The e-C3 features such as an operational range of 320 kms as per Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), fast charging capabilities, and intuitive technology, make it an attractive proposition for passengers and fleet operators, Mishra added. BluSmart Co-founder &amp; CEO Anmol Jaggi said, "As more Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) embrace eMobility, and our fleet size expands, we are poised to address the burgeoning demand for ride-hailing services in Indian megacities while offering riders a diverse range of advanced EVs." SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/poco-x6-neo-5g-vs-redmi-note-13-5g-which-phone-should-you-buy-under-20000/slidelist/108586427.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/poco-x6-neo-5g-vs-redmi-note-13-5g-which-phone-should-you-buy-under-20000/slidelist/108586427.cms" target="_blank">Poco X6 Neo 5G vs Redmi Note 13 5G – Which phone should you buy under ₹20,000?</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/new-ev-policy-elon-musks-tesla-may-soon-enter-india-as-import-taxes-slashed-for-electric-vehicles/articleshow/108527306.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/new-ev-policy-elon-musks-tesla-may-soon-enter-india-as-import-taxes-slashed-for-electric-vehicles/articleshow/108527306.cms" target="_blank">New EV Policy: Elon Musk’s Tesla may soon enter India as import taxes slashed for electric vehicles</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/best-smartphones-under-30000-in-india/slidelist/108472033.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/best-smartphones-under-30000-in-india/slidelist/108472033.cms" target="_blank">Best smartphones under ₹30,000 in India</a>

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