DUBAI, 9 November (BelTA - WAM) – An agreement has been signed between the Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, and Hyperloop One, a global high-speed transport company, here today to work through the Dubai Future Accelerators, DFA, programme and develop a prototype of self-driving cars powered by Hyperloop technology.
The company will also test the feasibility of connecting Dubai with a number cities and destinations, and determine the economic viability of the project.
If proven feasible, the emirate intends to implement the technology, which stands to reshape the transport and logistics sector around the world.
Hyperloop stations will be set up across the city to ensure easy access, and will effectively reduce travel time between Dubai and Abu Dhabi to less than 12 minutes, and between Dubai and Riyadh to less than 48 minutes.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA and Member of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation, and Rob Lloyd, CEO of Hypeloop One, signed the agreement.
The company aims to power self-driving cars with Hyperloop technology and initially, individuals can commute for limited distances within the city in small self-driving vehicles. These vehicles can then be boarded on to a Hyperloop train to travel for longer distances between cities, with speeds that can reach 1,200 km per hour, thus exceeding aircraft speed.
The new technology is set to have positive implications on urban planning. For one, fewer parking spaces will be required as the technology will change the way individuals commute within the city and also from and to airports and ports - not to mention the impact it will have on shipping.
