Dubai: Virgin Hyperloop One presents a first transport capsule

Dubai: Virgin Hyperloop One presents a first transport capsule

An international automobile exhibition was actually held in Dubai last week. At the same time, new forms of mobility were also presented there. Among these somewhat unusual exhibitors was the startup Virgin Hyperloop One - and had a real attraction for visitors. Because they were able to enter a Hyperloop transport capsule for the first time. This made it possible to at least guess what a trip in the vacuum tube could feel like. The most striking thing is that there is already a first indication of the marketing of the places. Because within the nineteen available places, there is again a distinction between first and second class. Compared to the inside of an aircraft, the space in the concept capsule is very generous on all seats.

Entertainment systems are to replace the windows

Because the journey leads through a vacuum tube anyway, there are no windows in the outer walls. Instead, this space should be used for an on-board entertainment system. Of course, it would also be conceivable to simply place advertising there. Instead, the transport capsule presented at the fairrelied primarily on a very futuristic design with many lights and screens. However, it should be somewhat unusual for passengers that the front and rear walls look exactly the same. Because there is no driver on board, there is of course no cockpit. All in all, the vacuum vehicle looks like a mixture of plane, train and subway. For the driving experience, however, it should above all be decisive whether the enormous speeds will be felt.

The Arabian Peninsula is of particular interest

So far, nobody will be able to assess this from their own experience. Because Virgin Hyperloop One claims to be the only company worldwide that operates a full-size Hyperloop test track. However, no capsule has ever reached the planned top speed of around 1,200 kilometers per hour. In addition,

 journeys with passengers on board did not take place at all. Nevertheless, there are already quite specific route plans. The idea is to connect cities in Saudi Arabia with each other using vacuum tubes, A route from Dubai to Abu Dhabi is also being considered. This concentration on the Arabian 

is no accident. Because there is at least enough money to implement new and untested technologies. Other regions - such as India - could then follow later.