Virgin Hyperloop One is partnering with Saudi Arabia’s Economic City Authority (ECA) to begin a study on whether to build the world’s longest test and certification hyperloop track.
If built, the 35km track will be based in King Abdullah Economic City, 100km north of the Red Sea port of Jeddah, and will focus on developing local expertise that could be commercialised and developed in the future.
The study will focus on the development of hyperloop supply chains across Saudi Arabia. The team also plan to build a research and development centre and a hyperloop manufacturing facility.
Mohanud Helal, The ECA’s secretary general, said: “Technology transfer and the high-tech job creation opportunities that this relationship will bring are fundamental to our progress as a nation and our efforts to create opportunities for our bright young people.
“Having hyperloop at King Abdullah Economic City is going to act as a catalyst for a Saudi Silicon Valley effect and galvanize our software development, high technology research, and manufacturing industries.”
Virgin Hyperloop One says it is the only firm successfully to test hyperloop technology at scale.
Image courtesy of Virgin Hyperloop One
