The Boring Company has just drilled through a major technological barrier! In what they’re calling a “big tunneling milestone,” Elon Musk’s underground transit venture has successfully demonstrated continuous mining in a Zero-People-in-Tunnel (ZPIT) configuration. This autonomous tunneling achievement represents the first time their boring machine has simultaneously advanced forward and erected tunnel rings without human operators inside—a development that could revolutionize underground construction.
Much like SpaceX’s pursuit of reusable rockets, The Boring Company describes ZPIT continuous mining as “the holy grail for Boring Machines.” The company claims this approach is not only safer (with no humans in harm’s way) but also faster and more cost-effective than traditional tunneling methods. Each tunnel ring being autonomously installed weighs a hefty 24,000 pounds, showcasing the impressive capabilities of their robotic systems. And yes, they’re proud to report their tunneling speed now exceeds that of Gary the snail—a whimsical benchmark that has long been one of Musk’s stated goals for the company’s boring machines.
