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Hyperloop Transportation Technologies moves forward with first commercial Hyperloop system in UAE

Abu Dhabi - Agreement signed for world's first commercial Hyperloop system of 10km between Abu Dhabi and Dubai

You could be hyperlooping your way between Abu Dhabi and Dubai as early as 2020! Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HyperloopTT) and Aldar Properties on Wednesdayinked an agreement for establishing the world's first commercial Hyperloop system, connecting areas between the Capital and Dubai.

As per the agreement, the system will come up in the Dh10-billion Al Ghadeer community, which is close to the Abu Dhabi-Dubai border. The community is located near the Kizad Free Zone, Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport and the Dubai Expo 2020 site.

HyperloopTT chairman Bibop Gresta said the 10-km long project is expected to be completed in time for the Expo 2020.

"The agreement involves the development of 10km of the first commercial Hyperloop line in history. This project is in Al Ghadeer, but we want to extend this line to Yas Island and connect the airport. This is the first phase of a longer network we want to build in the region to connect the various emirates," Gresta told Khaleej Times after the agreement signing during the Cityscape exhibition in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

The next phase of the project would connect the UAE to Saudi Arabia. "This agreement creates the base for the first commercial Hyperloop system in the world here in the Emirates, with the goal of eventually connecting Abu Dhabi to Al Ain, Dubai, and Riyadh."

HyperloopTT will construct a Hyperloop system, HyperloopTT's XO Square Innovation Centre and a Hyperloop Visitor Centre.

Elaborating on the first phase, Gresta said: "HyperloopTT has been in the region for over two years. We were working on this project for a year. We conducted a feasibility study with the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi. We are the only company to have conducted a real feasibility study in the region. We have finished all prototyping and testing. The test was a success. We opened the first facility to build full-scale prototype in Toulouse (France)."

Earlier this month, HyperloopTT began construction of the first full-scale passenger and freight prototype system in Toulouse and expects delivery of the first passenger capsule later this year.

The capsule will be assembled and optimised in Toulouse prior to use in the Emirates.

Aldar Properties chief executive officer Talal Al Dhiyebi said HyperloopTT looks to bring one of the world's most revolutionary transportation technologies to Abu Dhabi.

"Al Ghadeer sits at such a strategic point within the UAE - close to major growth areas of both Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and it makes sense to pair it with rapid transport opportunities. We believe that Hyperloop technology can have a major positive impact on the lives of all of those living within our communities, and we look forward to this possibility becoming a reality."

HyperloopTT CEO Dirk Ahlborn said the agreement is a big step towards the world's first commercial Hyperloop system. "A forward-thinking nation like the UAE is ideal for building the most revolutionary, most efficient, and fastest transportation system in the world," he added.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com