SpaceX has announced another chance for student teams from around the world to race their Hyperloop pod prototypes, with the second pod competition set to take place August 25th-27th in Hawthorne, California.
The first round of the competition started with an open field pitching design specs and concepts at Texas A&M early last year, before judges picked about two dozen to actually build and race their pods. But while SpaceX says the second round of the competition is open to new teams, the focus seems to be on giving existing squads a chance to refine their existing prototypes. The winner will be whoever hits the top speed.
One interesting note about the announcement is that it suggests an expanded role for SpaceX in Hyperloop development. “SpaceX,” the release begins, “is…