UAE residents will soon be able to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in just 15 minutes through a new cable car-like transport system.
According to Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Dubai, sky pods are cable car-like transport system characterized by higher power efficiency as it uses five times less power than electric vehicles.
“The Sky Pods initiative is part of RTA’s efforts to provide autonomous transport, one of the key aims of the Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy aimed at converting 25 per cent of total journeys in Dubai into autonomous journeys on various transit means by 2030. It is also part of RTA’s efforts to enhance the integration of public transit means, and offer solutions for short journeys (first and last mile) enabling public transport users to reach their final destinations,” said Al Tayer.
Two Sky Pods models – unibike, and unicar, were displayed at the ongoing World Government Summit in Dubai.
.@HHShkMohd accompanied with @HamdanMohammed reviews two models of the Sky Pods, a mobility system being tested by the @RTA_Dubai #Dubai #WorldGovSummit pic.twitter.com/Gg6vjLG46K
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 11, 2019
Unibike
Al Tayer said that the unibike moves on steel wheels on a hanging railway and combines the features of a high-performance electric vehicle and sports and recreational features.
Between the two models, unibike is smaller in size and lighter in weight. It can accommodate two riders and travel at a speed of up to 150 km/h.
“It is fitted with electric systems for driving the pod. It can be fitted with a power generator such as the Bicycle Dynamo, and as such it can be driven by the body mass of passengers on board,” said Al Tayer.
Unicar
Unicar, meanwhile, is designed for long-haul journeys and has a capacity of four to six seated riders.
It features a design compatible with the urban setting and international standards of Dubai and can travel at a speed of 150 km/h.
On Monday, February 11, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, reviewed the two models of the Sky Pods on the sidelines of the World Government Summit in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation.
في اليوم الثاني للقمة العالمية للحكومات … لقاءات وخبرات ومحاضرات … ومبادرات مستقبلية .. المستقبل جزء من القمة … والقمة جسر للمستقبل.. فخور بحجم المشاركة والطاقة الكبيرة من الجميع للتغيير الحكومي نحو غد أفضل للمجتمعات الانسانية . pic.twitter.com/KkXOzKP8iw
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 11, 2019
