<p>The definition of ‘utopia’ is different for different people. When you're rich you don't need to look for it, you can just make your own utopia. This is what billionaire Elon Musk is doing. As per reports, the Twitter, and Tesla CEO, is planning to set up his own town just outside of Austin, Texas. A Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report citing land records and deeds reveals that it&nbsp;will be located along the Colorado River.</p>

<h2><strong>What will Elon Musk do with a whole town?</strong></h2>

<p>The report claims that this new town will serve as housing for Austin-area employees of Musk's companies: Tesla, SpaceX and The Boring Company.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;What explains the sky-high valuation of Tesla and brand Elon Musk?</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>What will the town be called?</strong></h2>

<p>Reportedly, the town will not be called 'Elonland', 'Muskville' or even be named after the billionaire. Rather, it will be named 'Snailbrook'&nbsp;after The Boring Company's mascot —&nbsp;Gary the Snail.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Streets in the town will have names like 'Boring Boulevard',&nbsp;'Waterjet Way' and 'Cutterhead Crossing'.&nbsp;These names have reportedly been approved by Bastrop County officials in county meetings.</p>

<h2><strong>Where will it be located?</strong></h2>

<p>Snailbrook as per the WSJ report will be situated around 35 miles from Austin, in Bastrop County.</p>

<p>Executives at the Boring Co.&nbsp;have reportedly discussed and researched, incorporating the town there. However, so far, the county hasn't received any applications from them.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/for-real-elon-musk-teases-buying-collapsed-silicon-valley-bank-570959">For real? Tesla CEO Elon Musk teases buying collapsed Silicon Valley Bank</a></strong></p>

<p>Over the last four years, Elon Musk's companies have purchased 3,500 acres&nbsp;in the Austin area. This is equal to&nbsp;land four times the size of New York's massive Central Park. This figure is based on county deeds and other land records.</p>

<p>Citing local real-estate and land officials, WSJ says that the size of the land the Twitter CEO owns might actually be more — as much as 6,000 acres.</p>

<h2><strong>Why would Musk's employees leave their houses and move there?</strong></h2>

<p>The housing in Snailbrook will be available to Elon Musk's employees at reduced rents.</p>

<p>Starting last year, Boring employees could apply for cheaper homes with rents starting from just $800 a month for two or three-bedroom houses. This is around three times cheaper than the current market rate.</p>

<p>Currently, the average rent in Bastrop, Texas, as per real-estate listing company Zillow Group Inc stands at around $2,200 a month.</p>

<h2><strong>What about the employees' families?</strong></h2>

<p>They will, of course, be permitted to reside in Snailbrook. As per the WSJ report, the Boring Company even plans to convert a home on the property into a Montessori school for as many as 15 students.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/elon-musk-owned-tesla-under-investigation-after-steering-wheels-come-off-its-vehicles-while-driving-570126">Elon Musk’s Tesla under investigation amid plaints of steering wheel coming off while driving</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>What do we know about its design?</strong></h2>

<p>Given the businessman's flair for innovation, it for sure won't be just some boring town. Work at the site has already begun, and it will house modular homes, a pool and an outdoor sports area so the employees can stay fit.</p>

<p>Reportedly, Musk, his former girlfriend Grimes and Kanye West a.k.a Ye last year had several discussions over what the town might look like.</p>

<h2><strong>So, when do they move in?</strong></h2>

<p>Most probably as soon as the construction is done.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The billionaire may even have plans to have the town incorporated. But, before Musk can apply for incorporation or charter from the state, Snailbrook will need at least 201 residents and a county judge's approval.</p>

<p>Bastrop County, as per its spokesperson, is yet to receive an application from Musk or any of his entities.</p>

<p>Once Snailbrook gets incorporated, it will legally be allowed to have its own elected officials, and make its own rules.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/an-affordable-tesla-no-details-revealed-by-elon-musk-on-investors-day-567625" target="_blank">An affordable Tesla? No details revealed by Elon Musk on investors’ day</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Why did Elon Musk choose Texas?</strong></h2>

<p>Before Texas, California was Musk's home. However, the billionaire left his longtime home some two years back. His companies, Tesla and The Boring Company, also had their headquarters moved from California to Texas.</p>

<p>This, as per a 2021 statement by the Tesla CEO, is because California is the land of "overregulation, overlitigation, overtaxation".</p>

<h2><strong>Will the billionaire live in Snailbrook?</strong></h2>

<p>Yes, the report citing 'people familiar with the plans' claims that the plans for Snailbrook include a project to build a private residential compound for Musk.</p>

<p>However, this private compound won't be located within the rest of the employee housing. It'll be at some distance from the planned town.</p>

<p>Texas, as per WSJ, has "fewer zoning laws and environmental and labour requirements, and has vast swaths of loosely regulated land".&nbsp;Additionally, Texas does not impose corporate income tax or income or capital gains taxes on individuals.</p>

<p>Even as the plans and construction for Snailbrook town progress at breakneck speed, residents of the area aren't too happy. David Barrow, who runs a farm in Bastrop, is worried the new projects could threaten the Colorado River's water quality.</p>

<p>His worries may be justified. Recently, the Boring Company applied for a permit from Texas state environmental authorities. This permit seeks to discharge up to 140,000 gallons of industrial wastewater a day into the Colorado River.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I would like to know what is actually being sprayed, what they’re actually building, and who is going to hold them accountable," says the farmer.</p>

<p>Adena Lewis, the county’s director of tourism and economic development, however, says she has no concerns that the company's development could harm the river or surrounding farmland. Despite this, after being approached by the county's farmers, State Senator Sarah Eckhardt requested a public environmental hearing.</p>

<p>"We’re going to need to have more of a conversation and be able to verify the assertions that these companies are making with regard to the discharge permit into the Colorado River," she said. The hearing is scheduled for this month.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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The definition of ‘utopia’ is different for different people. When you're rich you don't need to look for it, you can just make your own utopia. This is what billionaire Elon Musk is doing.

The definition of ‘utopia’ is different for different people. When you're rich you don't need to look for it, you can just make your own utopia. This is what billionaire Elon Musk is doing. As per reports, the Twitter, and Tesla CEO, is planning to set up his own town just outside of Austin, Texas. A Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report citing land records and deeds reveals that it will be located along the Colorado River. What will Elon Musk do with a whole town? The report claims that this new town will serve as housing for Austin-area employees of Musk's companies: Tesla, SpaceX and The Boring Company. Watch | What explains the sky-high valuation of Tesla and brand Elon Musk? What will the town be called? Reportedly, the town will not be called 'Elonland', 'Muskville' or even be named after the billionaire. Rather, it will be named 'Snailbrook' after The Boring Company's mascot — Gary the Snail. Streets in the town will have names like 'Boring Boulevard', 'Waterjet Way' and 'Cutterhead Crossing'. These names have reportedly been approved by Bastrop County officials in county meetings. Where will it be located? Snailbrook as per the WSJ report will be situated around 35 miles from Austin, in Bastrop County. Executives at the Boring Co. have reportedly discussed and researched, incorporating the town there. However, so far, the county hasn't received any applications from them. Also read | For real? Tesla CEO Elon Musk teases buying collapsed Silicon Valley Bank Over the last four years, Elon Musk's companies have purchased 3,500 acres in the Austin area. This is equal to land four times the size of New York's massive Central Park. This figure is based on county deeds and other land records. Citing local real-estate and land officials, WSJ says that the size of the land the Twitter CEO owns might actually be more — as much as 6,000 acres. Why would Musk's employees leave their houses and move there? The housing in Snailbrook will be available to Elon Musk's employees at reduced rents. Starting last year, Boring employees could apply for cheaper homes with rents starting from just $800 a month for two or three-bedroom houses. This is around three times cheaper than the current market rate. Currently, the average rent in Bastrop, Texas, as per real-estate listing company Zillow Group Inc stands at around $2,200 a month. What about the employees' families? They will, of course, be permitted to reside in Snailbrook. As per the WSJ report, the Boring Company even plans to convert a home on the property into a Montessori school for as many as 15 students. Also read | Elon Musk’s Tesla under investigation amid plaints of steering wheel coming off while driving What do we know about its design? Given the businessman's flair for innovation, it for sure won't be just some boring town. Work at the site has already begun, and it will house modular homes, a pool and an outdoor sports area so the employees can stay fit. Reportedly, Musk, his former girlfriend Grimes and Kanye West a.k.a Ye last year had several discussions over what the town might look like. So, when do they move in? Most probably as soon as the construction is done. The billionaire may even have plans to have the town incorporated. But, before Musk can apply for incorporation or charter from the state, Snailbrook will need at least 201 residents and a county judge's approval. Bastrop County, as per its spokesperson, is yet to receive an application from Musk or any of his entities. Once Snailbrook gets incorporated, it will legally be allowed to have its own elected officials, and make its own rules. Also read | An affordable Tesla? No details revealed by Elon Musk on investors’ day Why did Elon Musk choose Texas? Before Texas, California was Musk's home. However, the billionaire left his longtime home some two years back. His companies, Tesla and The Boring Company, also had their headquarters moved from California to Texas. This, as per a 2021 statement by the Tesla CEO, is because California is the land of "overregulation, overlitigation, overtaxation". Will the billionaire live in Snailbrook? Yes, the report citing 'people familiar with the plans' claims that the plans for Snailbrook include a project to build a private residential compound for Musk. However, this private compound won't be located within the rest of the employee housing. It'll be at some distance from the planned town. Texas, as per WSJ, has "fewer zoning laws and environmental and labour requirements, and has vast swaths of loosely regulated land". Additionally, Texas does not impose corporate income tax or income or capital gains taxes on individuals. Even as the plans and construction for Snailbrook town progress at breakneck speed, residents of the area aren't too happy. David Barrow, who runs a farm in Bastrop, is worried the new projects could threaten the Colorado River's water quality. His worries may be justified. Recently, the Boring Company applied for a permit from Texas state environmental authorities. This permit seeks to discharge up to 140,000 gallons of industrial wastewater a day into the Colorado River. "I would like to know what is actually being sprayed, what they’re actually building, and who is going to hold them accountable," says the farmer. Adena Lewis, the county’s director of tourism and economic development, however, says she has no concerns that the company's development could harm the river or surrounding farmland. Despite this, after being approached by the county's farmers, State Senator Sarah Eckhardt requested a public environmental hearing. "We’re going to need to have more of a conversation and be able to verify the assertions that these companies are making with regard to the discharge permit into the Colorado River," she said. The hearing is scheduled for this month. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained | Twitter CEO Elon Musk is building his own utopian town. Here’s all you need to know

Tech visionary turned social media king Elon Musk's A-list enterprises and how much they are worth

<p>Social media erupted after Tesla CEO said he thinking of quitting his jobs and becoming a full-time influencer.</p>

<p>When the billionaire, who is also the founder of SpaceX, asked Twitter users what do they think about the move, they had some interesting suggestions.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">thinking of quitting my jobs &amp; becoming an influencer full-time wdyt</p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1469153995428085762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/man-of-his-word-musk-again-fulfils-promise-owns-no-home-in-us-state-now-434970"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Man of his word? Musk again fulfils promise, ‘owns no home’ in US state now</strong></a></p>

<p>One netizen told him ''I’ll be your first subscriber if you make an onlyfans.''</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I’ll be your first subscriber if you make an onlyfans</p>
— Albi (SideArms) (@Albi_SideArms) <a href="https://twitter.com/Albi_SideArms/status/1469161000142262280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<p>In response, Musk, a prolific user of the social media platform,&nbsp;said ''maybe i will.''</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">maybe i will …</p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1469205428227784711?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Another Twitter user recommended he become a YouTuber and start his own channel.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Start a YouTube channel</p>
— Toby Li (@tobyliiiiiiiiii) <a href="https://twitter.com/tobyliiiiiiiiii/status/1469154349125234689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>To which Musk replied ''noobtoob.'' It refers to a person who is inexperienced in a particular sphere or activity, especially computing or the use of the internet.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">noobtoob</p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1469154683113676802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I’ll coach u on how to get YouTube views!</p>
— MrBeast (@MrBeast) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrBeast/status/1469158006445256715?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<p>Earlier, Musk had said "It would be nice to have a bit more free time on my hands as opposed to just working day and night, from when I wake up to when I go to sleep 7 days a week. Pretty intense."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/elon-musk-loses-record-50-billion-in-2-days-as-tesla-shares-fall-428184"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Elon Musk loses record $50 billion in 2 days as Tesla shares fall</strong></a></p>

<p>It comes after Musk had tweeted and asked Twitter users if should sell his shares in Tesla worth $12 billion in a poll. He had followed through his commitment and sold his shares thrice in November.</p>

<p>However, several critics had pointed out that he had done so to evade taxes under a bill introduced by US President Joe Biden.</p>

<p>Musk also leads brain-chip startup Neuralink and infrastructure firm The Boring Company.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Social media erupted after Tesla CEO said he thinking of quitting his jobs and becoming a full-time influencer. When the billionaire, who is also the founder of SpaceX, asked Twitter users what do they think about the move, they had some interesting suggestions.

Social media erupted after Tesla CEO said he thinking of quitting his jobs and becoming a full-time influencer. When the billionaire, who is also the founder of SpaceX, asked Twitter users what do they think about the move, they had some interesting suggestions. thinking of quitting my jobs & becoming an influencer full-time wdyt — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 10, 2021 × Also read | Man of his word? Musk again fulfils promise, ‘owns no home’ in US state now One netizen told him ''I’ll be your first subscriber if you make an onlyfans.'' I’ll be your first subscriber if you make an onlyfans — Albi (SideArms) (@Albi_SideArms) December 10, 2021 × In response, Musk, a prolific user of the social media platform, said ''maybe i will.'' maybe i will … — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 10, 2021 × Another Twitter user recommended he become a YouTuber and start his own channel. Start a YouTube channel — Toby Li (@tobyliiiiiiiiii) December 10, 2021 × To which Musk replied ''noobtoob.'' It refers to a person who is inexperienced in a particular sphere or activity, especially computing or the use of the internet. noobtoob — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 10, 2021 × I’ll coach u on how to get YouTube views! — MrBeast (@MrBeast) December 10, 2021 × Earlier, Musk had said "It would be nice to have a bit more free time on my hands as opposed to just working day and night, from when I wake up to when I go to sleep 7 days a week. Pretty intense." Also read | Elon Musk loses record $50 billion in 2 days as Tesla shares fall It comes after Musk had tweeted and asked Twitter users if should sell his shares in Tesla worth $12 billion in a poll. He had followed through his commitment and sold his shares thrice in November. However, several critics had pointed out that he had done so to evade taxes under a bill introduced by US President Joe Biden. Musk also leads brain-chip startup Neuralink and infrastructure firm The Boring Company. (With inputs from agencies)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is thinking of quitting his jobs and becoming an influencer

<p>Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk made a brief public appearance late on Tuesday to unveil the first tunnel completed by the underground transit venture he launched two years ago as an ambitious remedy to Los Angeles' infamously heavy traffic.</p>

<p>But contrary to some of his own hype from several months ago, free rides were not part of the grand opening.</p>

<p>In a 30-minute presentation carried by live webcast, Musk touted the newly finished 1.14-mile (1.83 km) tunnel segment as a breakthrough in low-cost, fast-digging technology being pioneered by his nascent tunneling firm, the Boring Company.</p>

<p>Musk has advertised the proof-of-concept tunnel as a first step toward developing a high-speed subterranean network capable of whisking vehicles and pedestrians below the "soul-destroying" street traffic of America's second-largest city at up to 150 miles per hour. But such a system has a long way to go.</p>

<p>The new tunnel was excavated along a path that runs not through Los Angeles but beneath the tiny adjacent municipality of Hawthorne, where Musk's Boring Company and his SpaceX rocket firm are both headquartered.</p>

<p>Musk, best known as head of the Tesla Inc electric car manufacturer and energy company, launched his foray into public transit after complaining on Twitter in December 2016 that L.A.'s traffic was "driving me nuts," promising then to "build a boring machine and just start digging."</p>

<p><img alt="Elon Musk unveils his first LA-area tunnel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4cd161ed-2f26-4f4b-83a9-1bbb73a8cc0d" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2818%29.jpg" /></p>

<p><em>(Elon Musk unveils his tunnel. Image source: Reuters)</em></p>

<p>In May, the company gave the world a preview of the Hawthorne tunnel, posting a fast-forward video of its interior shot by a camera traveling the length of the cylindrical passageway, which measures about 12 feet (3.7 m) in diameter.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, Musk put the total price tag for the finished segment at about $10 million, including the cost of excavation, internal infrastructure, lighting, ventilation, safety systems, communications and a track.</p>

<p>By comparison, he said, digging a mile of tunnel by "traditional" engineering methods costs up to $1 billion and takes three to six months to complete.</p>

<p><strong>FASTER THAN A SNAIL?</strong></p>

<p>Musk boasted of several cost-cutting innovations, including higher-power boring machines, digging narrower tunnels, speeding up dirt removal, and simultaneous excavation and reinforcement.</p>

<p>He also invoked his favorite comparison with a snail, a creature he said moves 14 times faster than the speed of a typical tunneling machine. "Aspirationally, we should be slightly faster than a snail," he said.</p>

<p>Musk did not say how long it took to burrow his new tunnel, which ended up running short of the 2-mile easement his company originally requested for the project.</p>

<p>But he showed pre-recorded video footage of a newly built elevator station designed to carry passengers from street level to the tunnel's subterranean entryway. The video featured a modified Tesla Model X luxury car on the elevator.</p>

<p>When fully operational, the "loop" system as Musk envisions it will consist of passenger- and automobile-carrying platforms called "skates" that can zip through the tunnels by way of electric power once they descend into the underground network.</p>

<p>Alternately, he said, passenger cars could be outfitted with retractable side wheels allowing them to travel through the loop autonomously.</p>

<p>Musk arrived at Tuesday night's event in a Tesla vehicle so equipped, emerging from the car at one end of the tunnel - bathed in green and blue interior lights - as he was cheered by a small, enthusiastic crowd gathered for the presentation.</p>

<p>Musk created a stir earlier this year by promising free trips through the tunnel once it opened. However, no such rides were in the offing on Tuesday night. A company message posted online beforehand said tunnel tours "are by invitation only," citing "unbelievably high demand."</p>

<p>If successful, the Hawthorne tunnel is envisioned as eventually connecting to a network of other tunnels, yet to be built.</p>

<p>Last month, the Boring Company scrapped plans for a 2.7-mile segment under a West Los Angeles neighborhood, settling litigation brought by community groups opposed to that project.</p>

<p>But Musk's company said it was moving ahead with a proposed tunnel across town to connect Dodger Stadium, home of the city's Major League Baseball team, to an existing subway line.</p>

<p>In June, Boring was selected by Chicago to build a 17-mile underground transit system linking that city's downtown to its main airport. The company also has proposed an East Coast Loop that would run from Washington, D.C., to the Maryland suburbs.</p>


Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk made a brief public appearance late on Tuesday to unveil the first tunnel completed by the underground transit venture he launched two years ago as an ambitious remedy to Los Angeles' infamously heavy traffic.

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk made a brief public appearance late on Tuesday to unveil the first tunnel completed by the underground transit venture he launched two years ago as an ambitious remedy to Los Angeles' infamously heavy traffic. But contrary to some of his own hype from several months ago, free rides were not part of the grand opening. In a 30-minute presentation carried by live webcast, Musk touted the newly finished 1.14-mile (1.83 km) tunnel segment as a breakthrough in low-cost, fast-digging technology being pioneered by his nascent tunneling firm, the Boring Company. Musk has advertised the proof-of-concept tunnel as a first step toward developing a high-speed subterranean network capable of whisking vehicles and pedestrians below the "soul-destroying" street traffic of America's second-largest city at up to 150 miles per hour. But such a system has a long way to go. The new tunnel was excavated along a path that runs not through Los Angeles but beneath the tiny adjacent municipality of Hawthorne, where Musk's Boring Company and his SpaceX rocket firm are both headquartered. Musk, best known as head of the Tesla Inc electric car manufacturer and energy company, launched his foray into public transit after complaining on Twitter in December 2016 that L.A.'s traffic was "driving me nuts," promising then to "build a boring machine and just start digging." (Elon Musk unveils his tunnel. Image source: Reuters) In May, the company gave the world a preview of the Hawthorne tunnel, posting a fast-forward video of its interior shot by a camera traveling the length of the cylindrical passageway, which measures about 12 feet (3.7 m) in diameter. On Tuesday, Musk put the total price tag for the finished segment at about $10 million, including the cost of excavation, internal infrastructure, lighting, ventilation, safety systems, communications and a track. By comparison, he said, digging a mile of tunnel by "traditional" engineering methods costs up to $1 billion and takes three to six months to complete. FASTER THAN A SNAIL? Musk boasted of several cost-cutting innovations, including higher-power boring machines, digging narrower tunnels, speeding up dirt removal, and simultaneous excavation and reinforcement. He also invoked his favorite comparison with a snail, a creature he said moves 14 times faster than the speed of a typical tunneling machine. "Aspirationally, we should be slightly faster than a snail," he said. Musk did not say how long it took to burrow his new tunnel, which ended up running short of the 2-mile easement his company originally requested for the project. But he showed pre-recorded video footage of a newly built elevator station designed to carry passengers from street level to the tunnel's subterranean entryway. The video featured a modified Tesla Model X luxury car on the elevator. When fully operational, the "loop" system as Musk envisions it will consist of passenger- and automobile-carrying platforms called "skates" that can zip through the tunnels by way of electric power once they descend into the underground network. Alternately, he said, passenger cars could be outfitted with retractable side wheels allowing them to travel through the loop autonomously. Musk arrived at Tuesday night's event in a Tesla vehicle so equipped, emerging from the car at one end of the tunnel - bathed in green and blue interior lights - as he was cheered by a small, enthusiastic crowd gathered for the presentation. Musk created a stir earlier this year by promising free trips through the tunnel once it opened. However, no such rides were in the offing on Tuesday night. A company message posted online beforehand said tunnel tours "are by invitation only," citing "unbelievably high demand." If successful, the Hawthorne tunnel is envisioned as eventually connecting to a network of other tunnels, yet to be built. Last month, the Boring Company scrapped plans for a 2.7-mile segment under a West Los Angeles neighborhood, settling litigation brought by community groups opposed to that project. But Musk's company said it was moving ahead with a proposed tunnel across town to connect Dodger Stadium, home of the city's Major League Baseball team, to an existing subway line. In June, Boring was selected by Chicago to build a 17-mile underground transit system linking that city's downtown to its main airport. The company also has proposed an East Coast Loop that would run from Washington, D.C., to the Maryland suburbs.

Elon Musk unveils his first Los Angeles-area tunnel

In Pics: Musk's hyperloop tunnel set to revolutionise underground car travel in cities