Khaleej Times

Hyperloop pod set for debut in Dubai

- Team KT reporters@khaleejtim­es.com

dubai — UAE residents will be first in the world to get a glimpse of the transporta­tion capsule that could zip them between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in under 12 minutes. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaborat­ion with Virgin Hyperloop One, will unveil the first model of the Hyperloop in Dubai today as part of the UAE Innovation Month.

A top RTA official said on Wednesday that the model is being exhibited for the first time in the world.

Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors of the RTA, said they have identified the routes for operating the transporta­tion system.

“The RTA and Virgin Hyperloop One company have made considerab­le progress in the technical, engineerin­g and economic feasibilit­y study of the project,” said Al Tayer.

Rob Lloyd, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop One, said the UAE and RTA were early supporters of the technology. “Our aim (in 2018) would be to explore the viability of a wider UAE Hyperloop network.”

dubai — The world will get its first glimpse of the initial design of Hyperloop in Dubai today. The futuristic transporta­tion system could zip you from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in under 12 minutes.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaborat­ion with Virgin Hyperloop One, will unveil the first model of the Hyperloop as part of the UAE Innovation Month.

The RTA and Virgin Hyperloop One have identified the routes for operating the Hyperloop, along with its initial design model.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said they have made “considerab­le progress in the technical, engineerin­g and economic feasibilit­y study of the project”.

The Hyperloop boasts of deluxe interiors, cutting-edge broadcasti­ng, display informatio­n and entertainm­ent materials, and leather seats. The technology uses an electromag­netic propulsion system to accelerate the movement of goods and services through a vacuum tube. The system is designed to assist the levitation of the capsule slightly off the track within the tube and move it at speeds up to 1,200kmph.

“Accordingl­y, the Hyperloop can travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 12 minutes, and lift about 10,000 passengers per hour in both directions,” said Al Tayer. “When introduced in the future, the Hyperloop technology will impact town planning and availabili­ty of parking spaces. It will revolution­ise people mobility between various destinatio­ns in the city, logistical hubs like airports and ports, and shipping patterns.”

Rob Lloyd, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop One, said the UAE and the RTA were early supporters of the technology. “It is particular­ly exciting to be unveiling the Dubai Hyperloop pod with the RTA today. Our focus in 2018 would be continuing the close collaborat­ion with the RTA, to progress to the next phase of the project. Our aim is to explore the viability of a wider UAE Hyperloop network.”

 ??  ?? ZIP, ZAP, ZOOM: Travel will never be the same again
ZIP, ZAP, ZOOM: Travel will never be the same again
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Arab Emirates