Transport authority signs agreement with UK-based BeemCar Ltd to develop sky pods, a futuristic urban mobility scheme
Dubai's transport authority on Wednesday said it has signed an agreement with UK-based BeemCar Ltd to develop sky pods, a futuristic urban mobility scheme in the emirate.
The Roads and Transport Authority said the system operates on steel wheels moving on suspended rails.
The first model of the Dubai Sky Pod project, which was displayed during last year’s World Government Summit in Dubai, is the Unibike, which can accommodate up to five riders and can travel at a maximum speed of 150km/hr and carry about 20,000 people per hour.
The second model planned is the Unicar, designed to carry passengers for a distance up to 200km and accommodate up to six riders travelling at a maximum speed of 150km/h, supporting about 50,000 riders per hour.
Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the RTA and Chris Heaton-Harris, Minister of State at the UK's Department for Transport witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between RTA and BeemCar.
“The signing of the agreement is part of RTA’s efforts to deploy autonomous transit means in line with the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy aimed at diverting 25 percent of total mobility journeys in Dubai to autonomous transit means by 2030. The move corresponds to RTA’s efforts to enhance the integration of mass transit modes, and offer a solution to the first and last-mile challenge; which helps riders reach their final destinations,” said Al Tayer.
Al Tayer and the British minister also discussed means of boosting relationships and sharing expertise between RTA and its counterpart in the UK in the field of rail operation, self-driving transport and control systems.
Heaton-Harris added: "This exciting collaboration will evaluate the feasibility of an aerial transit system based on BeemCar’s unique expertise. This is another example of the UK’s continued commitment to forging partnerships with the UAE across a broad range of innovation and technology."
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