Richard Branson’s Virgin Hyperloop test runs as Saudi Arabia reduces dependence on crude oil

The CEO of Tesla Elon Musk in 2013 started the innovation of the Hyper-loop transportation system, which incorporates reduced pressure tubes in which pressurized capsules ride on air bearings driven by linear induction motors and air compressors at speeds similar to a commercial jet with much lower energy requirements.

Fast forward to 2018, Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson the founder of the Virgin Group courtesy of America's Virgin Hyper-loop, made a video demonstration on Monday of its full-scale Hyper-loop system for a Saudi Arabian delegation that included Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud.

The Hyper-loop pod which travels at speeds in excess of 240 mph and a target top speed of 670 mph, has an electric propulsion system and slides along a track, initially on wheels but as the speed picks up the pod then floats above the track using magnetic levitation.

Saudi Arabia has a vision 2030 plan which includes tourism just like United Arab Emirates (UAE), building up its technology, infrastructure, and educational system. They also plan to reduce dependence on crude oil as the oil prices have been dropping.

Richard Branson met with the Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salama recently in the US as they had talks on how VHO can partner with Saudi Arabia in developing the Hyper-loop transportation system. If the Hyper-loop transportation system is built in Saudi Arabia, it will cut travel times in major cities. For example transportation  by car from Saudi capital Riyadh and Jeddah takes about 10 hours, but will be cut to 1 hour 16 minutes with the Hyper-loop transportation system. Also there are proposed plans to expand the Hyper-loop transport from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Food for thought: The President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari recently commissioned the best bus terminal in Africa. Click here "President Buhari commissions the best bus terminal in Africa" to read it.

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