Saudi Crown Prince unveils Vision 2030 Hyperloop Pod

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz unveiled the Vision 2030 Hyperloop Pod at the Virgin Galactic test site in the Mojave desert in the US, stressing on the commitment between the Kingdom and Virgin Hyperloop One to bring hyperloop technology to Saudi Arabia.

Virgin Hyperloop One (VHO), the only company in the world that has built a fully operational hyperloop system, is set to accelerate the realisation of transformative technology and work with Saudi Arabia in becoming a global powerhouse of trade and innovation, said senior executives from VHO who hosted Crown Prince Mohammed at the Virgin Galactic test site.

Read our interview with Harj Dhaliwal, managing director (Middle East & India) at Virgin Hyperloop One, in the highlights from Middle East Rail.

During the visit, VHO and Crown Prince Mohammed discussed how the hyperloop-enabled transportation sector in Saudi Arabia will stimulate economic growth and diversification of Saudi industries, nurture manufacturing and innovation sectors, and spur job growth in support of the country’s Vision 2030 plan increasing the GDP 1-2% across the kingdom.

“We are looking forward to advancing the relationship between Saudi Arabia and VHO while we develop innovative transport technologies like hyperloop, accelerating Vision 2030 objectives to transform the kingdom from a technology consumer to a technology innovator,” remarked Prince Mohammed. “Hyperloop is the catalyst to enable all 4th generation technologies to flourish in the Kingdom while creating a vibrant society and thriving economy through visionary cities and high-tech clusters.”

With speeds two to three times faster than high-speed rail and an on-demand, direct to destination experience, hyperloop technology can reduce journey times across the kingdom, exponentially increasing connectivity across not only across Saudi Arabia but throughout the GCC.

Travelling from Riyadh to Jeddah would take 76 minutes (currently over 10 hours) utilising the land bridge for both passenger and freight movement, positioning the kingdom as the gateway to three continents. Travelling from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi would take 48 minutes (currently over 8.5 hours).

Josh Giegel, the co-founder and chief technology officer of Virgin Hyperloop One, said: “It was an honour to host Crown Prince Mohammed and advance our discussions around the implementation of the hyperloop system and Innovation Center facility, enabling Vision 2030 to nurture the nation’s entrepreneurial culture, and grow an innovative highly-skilled workforce through meaningful transfers of knowledge and technology. The continued support from Crown Prince Mohammed and collaboration with Vision 2030 will allow the VHO system to connect with cities across the kingdom turning commute times from hours into minutes.”

CEO Rob Lloyd said: “We have started this journey through VHO partnership with the MiSK Foundation supporting bright, young Saudi talent through an internship exchange programme at the company’s Innovation Campus in the US. Today’s visit and discussions kick off the next phase that will make VHO a reality in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”