BMW Designworks, the German automaker’s creative consultancy, partnered with Virgin Hyperloop One and the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA) to create a prototype design for the Dubai hyperloop capsule. The prototype recently made its global debut at City Walk Dubai as part of UAE Innovation Month. The design also marks the first physical, full-scale hyperloop prototype to be revealed to the public. The team at Designworks had two major constraints while coming up with the design for the interior of the capsule – there can’t be windows, and passengers need to remain seated for the duration of the trip. The result is a futuristic-looking cabin featuring premium seating, sizable personal space, entertainment systems, cooling and heating functions, as well as custom mood lighting.
“With the Virgin Hyperloop One design, we wanted to create a new visual expression for a new mode of public transportation,” says Designworks LA Studio Design Director, Johannes Lampela. The design team also incorporated traditional Arabic patterns into a modern design for these futuristic pods. Once the project reaches completion, each one of these pods will be capable of traveling through vacuum-sealed tubes at speeds of 671 mph. It will potentially cut down the traveling time from Dubai to Abu Dhabi to as little as 12 minutes. Virgin Hyperloop One is currently negotiating the next stage of development (Phase 2) with the RTA, with the goal of having three hyperloop systems in operation by 2021.
