In 2013, Elon Musk first proposed the creation of a hyperloop, an ultra-fast mode of transportation that has levitating pods powered by electricity and magnetism that travel through low friction pipes at a maximum speed of 1,220 kph or 760 mph. Now, it’s going to be a reality.
Hyperloop Design competition
In October, Dubai hosted a hyperloop track design competition. It was a project that lasted 48 hours, wherein various designers presented ideas for a possible track between Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Cental, Dubai International Airport and Fujairah International Airport. In their design plans, the hyperloop distance will be around 90 miles or 145 kilometers over a mountain range and will take around 10 minutes or less to travel as compared to the current travel time of one hour and 20 minutes travel time by road.
Hyperloop One and UAE Project
The Hyperloop One System.
Source: Hyperloop One, YouTube
Recently, Hyperloop One (previously known as Hyperloop Technologies) an American company formed to explore Elon Musk’s Hyperloop concept and the United Arab Emirates are working together to build the world’s first hyperloop system.
Last November 8, the futuristic city state of Dubai announced their plans with Hyperloop One to study the possibility of building a line that links it to the Emirati capital of Abu Dhabi. This was announced at the top of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
November 8, 2016. A woman taking a photo of the scale model of the Hyperloop project during a news conference at Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Source: VOA
“This has become a transportation hub and leader in the world,” Hyperloop CEO Rob Lloyd said, when he mentioned the long-haul carrier Emirates and the place’s driverless metro, the longest in the world. “In the Emirates, we believe everything is possible.” He added.
The distance the hyperloop will travel is 99 miles or 159.4 kilometers long and would usually take about two hours by car. Hyperloop One assures everyone that it will take only around 12 minutes to travel via the hyperloop.
Hyperloop One will be partnering up with Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to study and evaluate the feasibility of this ambitious and futuristic system in the UAE. Early next year, Hyperloop One will be testing a full scale prototype of its system in the Nevada desert.
The Hyperloop Control Room.
Source: Daily Mail
This is also part of Hyperloop One’s next stage of progress in Dubai. Last August, Shervin Pishevar, the co-founder of Hyperloop One gave everyone a hint that the first hyperloop would be built overseas. In October, it received $50 million in funding from DP World Group of Dubai, which is the third largest ports operator in the world to build a hyperloop system that is capable of moving cargo throughout the country and the world.
CEO of Hyperloop One, Rob Lloyd, left, shows the Emirati officials including Mattar al-Tayer, the director-general and chairman of Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority the hyperloop model.
Source: Daily Mail
The company also revealed an original design concept for the pods and portals that will be taking passengers from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in their autonomous transportation system. Hyperloop One will be working with McKinsey and architecture, as well as engineering firm BIG to evaluate the concept of a build out for a passenger system in the UAE.
Once the hyperloop will be done, it will definitely be one of the proofs that we have definitely entered a futuristic world.
Article Sources:
Daily Mail
