At some point in the past year or so, you have probably heard the term āhyperloopā thrown around as the future of transportation. Elon Musk first unveiled the concept of a hyperloop in 2013, Dezeen reports. Since that time, however, he open-sourced the technology and is no longer directly involved with the development.
This gave other companies, such as Hyperloop One, the opportunity to take the hyperloop from concept to reality. The company describes its hyperloop system on itsĀ website by writing, āThe system uses electric propulsion to accelerate a passenger or cargo vehicle through a tube in a low pressure environment. The autonomous vehicle levitates slightly above the track and glides at faster-than-airline speeds over long distances. We eliminate direct emissions, noise, delay, weather concerns and pilot error.ā
The idea of a hyperloop may seem more science fiction than fact, but it is actually grounded in reality. Hyperloop One, with the help of Danish design firm BIG, has big plans of connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi via a hyperloop, bringing travel time between the two cities down to just 12 minutes. Riyadh would be reached in 48 minutes, Doha in 23 minutes, and Muscat in 27 minutes. The hyperloop pods that hold the passengers and their cargo will be able to reach speeds of up to 1,100 kilometers per hour.
BIGās designs show the Dubai station, dubbed the āportalā due to its sunken and circular styling, situated at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, according to the most recent information from Dezeen.
Each pod has room for six people and is loaded onto a transporter vessel attached to a chassis, although, the pods will differ with plans for specific offerings for business, lounge, and single. The pods themselves are autonomous and can leave the transporter, travel onto regular roads, and pick up passengers at any point, according to BIG.
The portal eliminates waiting halls through the use of frequent arrival and departure times.
Along with BIG, engineering firms AECOM and Arup are also working with Hyperloop One in an effort to become the first team to build a hyperloop system. Hyperloop One tested its propulsion technology earlier this year near Las Vegas and achieved speeds of 187 kilometers per hour in 1.1 seconds.
Currently, Hyperloop Oneās top competitor is Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, which has a test track under construction in California and plans to connect Budapest, Vienna, and Bratislava with a hyperloop in the near future.
You can watch a video from BIG detailing how Hyperloop Oneās system would work and be laid out below.
Ā
Ā
Ā Courtesy of BIG
Ā
Courtesy of BIG
Ā
Courtesy of BIG
Related Stories
Game Changers | Jan 19, 2017
Piezoelectric hits the road
GTRI recently got the OK from the Georgia Department of Transportation to test embedded PZ material supplied by Tencate in a stretch of road and rest stop surfaces at West Point, Ga.
Building Tech | Aug 26, 2016
NBBJās Goldilocks sensor technology can help employees find a workspace that is just right
The technology measures light levels, humidity and temperature, motion, and sound.
Cultural Facilities | Aug 1, 2016
A retractable canopy at Hudson Yards will transform into a large performing and gallery space
The ShedĀ could become the permanent home for New Yorkās Fashion Week event.
Building Tech | Jul 14, 2016
Delegates attending political conventions shouldnāt need to ask āCan you hear me now?ā
Each venue is equipped with DAS technology that extends the buildingās wireless coverage.
Sponsored | AEC Tech | Jun 9, 2016
With all these sharks in the waterā¦ (No Predictions Here...Part 2)
Rather than fighting to control the proliferation of apps, perhaps we should be training our eyes to look for signs of long-term viability among all the fins in the water
Building Materials | Jun 1, 2016
MIT study: Microscopic structure of natural materials can inspire better concrete
Bones and sea sponges are highly organized at the molecular level, while concrete consists of random composites.
Building Technology | May 24, 2016
Tech is the new office perk, says a new survey of American workers
But most employees still see their companies falling on the dull side of the cutting edge.Ā
Building Tech | May 9, 2016
3 things to consider for computation in the business of design
In creating a roadmap for computation, Proving Ground's Nathan Miller likes to consider investing in the right people, incorporating aĀ range of skillsets, and defining the business value.
Building Tech | Apr 13, 2016
The Hyperchair gives employees access to their own personal set of climate controls
Not only can the Hyperchair reduce heating and cooling costs and maximize employee comfort, but it can help a company become more environmentally friendly, as well.
Building Tech | Apr 12, 2016
Should we be worried about a tech slowdown?
Is the U.S.Ā in an innovative funk, or is this just the calm before the storm?
