RTA unveils the design of Dubai’s Hyperloop project

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The first conversation about UAE having its own Hyperloop broke out less than three years ago and for those who’ve been wanting an update on the futuristic form of transportation, here it is. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled the initial design of the project as well as the UAE routes.

The design was exhibited for the first time, in collaboration with Virgin Hyperloop One as part of RTA’s participation in the UAE Innovation Month, yesterday, with Rob Lloyd, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop One, stating: “The UAE and RTA were early supporters of our hyperloop technology, so it is particularly exciting to be unveiling the Dubai Hyperloop pod with the RTA here”.

Though the travel pod aims to ease transporation between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, plans for other emirates also appear to be on the cards. As Rob Lloyd did mention that their “focus in 2018 would be continuing the close collaboration with RTA to progress to the next phase of the project. Our aim would be to explore the viability of a wider UAE Hyperloop network”.

For now the project seems to be making “considerable progress”. RTA revealed its design features that include leather seats, deluxe interiors as well as cutting-edge broadcasting, display information and entertainment materials.

The RTA is also exhibiting initiatives such as the autonomous pods and high-frequency express buses which Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of RTA, states is “in implementation of the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world.”

“It reflects RTA’s strategy to transform 25 percent of total journeys in Dubai into driverless transport using different means by 2030,” Al Tayer explains.

If you’ve missed out news about this supersonic mode of travel in the last few years, this is what you need to know:

  • The Hyperloop is a vacuum tunnel that will propel commuters between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in under 12 minutes, think speeds of 1,220 kilometres per hour.
  • It aims to cater to about 10,000 passengers per hour, in both directions.
  • The technology was designed by rocket scientist and entrepreneur Elon Musk.

Transport isn’t the only sector riding the futuristic path. Earlier this week, the Dubai Municipality announced that Dubai will be getting its first 3D printed villa, two years after it got its first 3D printed office.

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