Hyperloop One, the company that is synonymous with the groundbreaking technology that deploys super-quick pod transportation tunnels that cut travel time, has signed a deal with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority.
As part of the "historic agreement," Hyperloop One will work in tandem with the RTA to implement a passenger Hyperloop transport system between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This will reduce travel times drastically to just 12 minutes.
"We're going to create a seamless experience that starts the moment you think about being somewhere - not going somewhere," notes Josh Giegel, president of engineering at Hyperloop One.
The deal was announced on Tuesday, Nov. 8 and could potentially be the harbinger of a new way of commuting.
Breaking news: @RTA_Dubai and Hyperloop One sign a deal to pursue a passenger and cargo #hyperloop network in the UAE pic.twitter.com/u7Gqd3dcaK
— HyperloopOne (@HyperloopOne) November 8, 2016
What Is A Hyperloop?
A Hyperloop is basically designed in such a manner that it acts like a low-pressure tube. Through this tube, levitating pods can travel swiftly to a maximum speed of 1,200 kilometers (746 miles) an hour.
The Hyperloop is essentially a collection of several small pods as opposed to a massive train and will operate on demand. So basically, when you want to get to destination X from point Y, you can do so when you want and reach there directly.
How Does It Work?
The tubes will run from one destination to another and the pods will levitate or hover inside these massive tubes. The environment inside the low-pressure tube is a controlled one so as to allow a negligible amount of air. This basically creates a sort of suction in the environment, so that the levitating pods can move from one point to another very quickly.
What Are The Benefits Of The Hyperloop?
The Hyperloop will drastically cut down the journey/transportation time for people. So if normally you took 1 hour and 30 minutes via car to get to Dubai from Abu Dhabi, with the Hyperloop you will be able to do it in just 12 minutes.
Moreover, the Hyperloop has extremely high safety standards - more than that of an airplane. It also utilizes less energy (similar to a bicycle) and has lower maintenance and build costs when compared to a high-speed train.
When Will It Start?
Plans are underway to make the Hyperloop run above the ground or underwater. Hyperloop One intends to connect the two emirates, which are 150 kilometers (93 miles) apart. Per the plan, the company is looking to connect the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Airport, Dubai Marina, Abu Dhabi Airport, Al Maktoum Airport and the Abu Dhabi city center.
Rob Lloyd, the CEO of Hyperloop One, has revealed that from a tech perspective, the company is at a stage where it can build a Hyperloop system in the UAE in the next five years.
So based on that, the Hyperloop connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi could possibly be operational by 2021. However, that said, the availability of the Hyperloop for public use hinges on the RTA - when it gives the green signal.
