7 things to know about Dubai's Hyperloop

The Hyperloop concept, very much in the news as of late, is a really interesting and curious piece of technology.
So Bibop Gresta, co-founder and chairman of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, had some facts prepared for the crowd at Innovation Live in Dubai.
"We'd like to improve human life with amazing systems," he started off. "And the first thing we needed to know was also the most interesting: the technology we need for the Hyperloop is already existing."

WATCH: World's FIRST Hyperloop will take you from Dubai-Abu Dhabi in 12 minutes, RTA signs deal
Here are some key things you need to know about the sci-fi-esque concept:
1. It could be cheaper to build than the railways we use now - According to the company's analysis, the cost of a standard train line would cost anywhere between $50 million to $150 million per kilometre, while those like the Dubai Metro can fetch $80 million to $120 million. The Hyperloop - believe it or not - may cost just a "cheap" $40 million per kilometre.
2. Relax, there's an emergency stop system being put in place - From a speed of 1,223 kmh, there are three emergency-stop scenarios that are being looked at. Standard: 32 seconds at five kilometres for a gentler emergency stop; aggressive: 16 seconds at 2.5 kilometres for a preferred emergency stop; and extreme: 6.4 seconds at one kilometre for an extreme stop with the possibility of injury. All these are being worked upon to provide the safest emergency stop just in case something goes awry.
3. A lot has been done in less than three years - For an ambitious project such as the Hyperloop, 16 design patents have been filed; 32 leading companies have signed up; system agreements have been sealed in California and Slovakia; and Hyperloop trademarka have been registered in 28 countries - all in 34 months. Bonus: the company is in talks with 19 countries for the possibility of building a Hyperloop system in those places.
WATCH: Hyperloop travel from Dubai-Abu Dhabi in 15 minutes
4. Various governments have given their vote of confidence in the Hyperloop - Government officials - including Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and UAE Federal Transport Authority director-general Dr Abdulla S. Al Katheeri have all voiced their optimism on the Hyperloop, being described as "very interesting", will cut distances in "unprecedented ways", a "special moment in transportation" and will "fundamentally change the global economy".
5. Be entertained with "Virtual Windows" while travelling - Hyperloop Transportation Technologies is developing a system that uses motion capture technology that would be able to simulate a scene on the windows inside the Hyperloop capsule, making it look like you're travelling on a normal-speed train. It's sure to keep you busy in that short travel time. Here's an added bonus: Gresta pitched the idea that commuters may just have to pay for this service, essentially giving the Hyperloop ride for free.
6. Up to almost 25 billion people can be transported in a year - On the basis of 67,000 commuters that would use the Hyperloop on a daily basis, that's almost 2,800 per hour and 24.455 billion yearly (assuming a 24-hour operation, though).
7. It may not even cost taxpayers - Crowdfunding has been working for the Hyperloop, and many individuals and companies have come on board to pledge their support, be it in the form of money or services.
Gresta wasn't one to hide his excitement when it comes to the Hyperloop.
"It's a cool way to travel," he said. "And it will help shrink any city given the speed of travel."
And before he ended, he dropped a teaser: expect a "big announcement" from them in the coming weeks.
- alvin@khaleejtimes.com