The UAE Hyperloop just took another step closer to becoming a reality
Travelling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in 12 minutes will soon be possible…
The first people to ever travel on the Virgin Hyperloop have safely done so this week. Virgin Hyperloop’s first ever passenger testing phase has successfully begun, at a facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Josh Giegel, CTO and Co-Founder, and Sara Luchian, Director of Passenger Experience were the first to ride in the passenger pod.
Dubai-based provider of smart logistics solutions, DP World, has invested millions of dollars into the research and development of hyperloop technology.
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“I had the true pleasure of seeing history made before my very eyes – to witness the first new mode of mass transportation in over 100 years come to life,” said Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Virgin Hyperloop and Group Chairman and CEO of DP World. “I have always had tremendous faith in the team at Virgin Hyperloop to transform this technology into a safe system, and today we have done that. We are one step closer to ushering in a new era of ultra-fast, sustainable movement of people and goods.”
Once complete, Virgin Hyperloop will provide autonomous travel for passengers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Before the first passenger test, Virgin Hyperloop completed 400 unoccupied tests since the first back in 2017.
The hyperloop uses vacuum technology to accelerate to speeds of up to 1,200 kilometres per hour, which will enable passengers to travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in just 12 minutes.
“Today’s successful passenger testing brings us one step closer to commercial hyperloop projects in the Gulf region,” said Harj Dhaliwal, Managing Director of Middle East and India for Virgin Hyperloop. “Fundamentally, hyperloop is about so much more than the technology – it’s about what it enables. The potential is enormous for the GCC to lead the world in hyperloop manufacturing, investment, and job creation.”
Images: Virgin Hyperloop