In an announcement on 27 September, Virgin Hyperloop has unveiled that it will showcase a replica of a full-scale hyperloop cargo pod and a cutaway passenger pod at DP World’s ‘Flow’ pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The 10-metre-long replica of the pod will be located outside the pavilion premises.

Visitors will be able to sit inside the cutaway passenger pod and learn more about the technology and its future impact through interactive displays, videos and models.

“The constant flow of goods has historically driven innovation in the transportation sector, and now more than ever, we must continue to future-proof the industry,” said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of DP World and Virgin Hyperloop. 

“Hyperloop is poised to revolutionise the global on-demand logistics market, and we are excited to share our vision for the technology in the [pavilion].”

DP World is the largest single investor in Virgin Hyperloop. In November 2018, Sulayem replaced UK business magnate Richard Branson as the chairman of Virgin Hyperloop.

Pursuit continues

Government and transport entities in the GCC region have been exploring opportunities around commercial hyperloop travel for several years now. 

In 2018, Abu Dhabi’s Aldar Properties and US-based Hyperloop Transport Technologies announced that they were aiming to begin constructing a commercial hyperloop track and related facilities by the third quarter of 2019. The project is still in the design stage, according to regional projects tracker MEED Projects.

An agreement was signed between Virgin Hyperloop and Abu Dhabi Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) in December 2020 to collaborate on the research and development of the transport system.

In its $147bn transport investment strategy, Saudi Arabia highlighted that it is studying the use of technologies such as hyperloop and magnetic levitation (maglev) to grow its transport network. The kingdom’s transport ministry commissioned Virgin Hyperloop in February 2020 to conduct pre-feasibility studies for passenger and cargo hyperloop systems.