News
Virgin Hyperloop Concept Video Provides A Peek At The Future Of Transportation
If the idea of traveling at speeds up to 670 mph while sitting inside a futuristic pod propelled by strong electromagnets through an airless tube sounds like a cool sci-fi concept to you, then you should watch the latest video published by Virgin Hyperloop.
The video shows how the Hyperloop concept, which was first proposed in 2013 by Elon Musk, might enable a faster, greener, and more cost-efficient mode of travel in a not-so-distant future — at least in the United Arab Emirates.
Unlike many existing train stations, the one from which the passengers in the video board their pods is clean, bright, and inviting. The pods themselves echo the same optimistic vision of the future, where traditional materials and high-end technology work in unison to create a more pleasant transportation experience.
Every passenger seat is equipped with wireless charging, and translucent LCD screens that double as dividers between individual rows of seats show the remaining travel time and current speed. Smaller info displays inform passengers about Wi-Fi and toilet availability, both of which are guaranteed to come in handy during longer trips.
When will first passengers be able to enjoy this exciting new mode of transportation? Sometime in 2030, most likely. Virgin Hyperloop, which receives financial backing from Dubai’s regime-backed DP World, must first receive its safety certification before it is allowed to operate in the United Arab Emirates.
So far, Virgin Hyperloop has successfully completed its first passenger test, during which the pod accelerated to around 100 mph. That’s a fairly impressive speed, but there’s no denying that the company has a long way to go before it hits 670 mph.
Also Read: Netflix Is Introducing Sleep Timer Functionality On Android
When it does, its Hyperloop system could be a game-changer for all people who commute long-distances on a regular basis. Jay Walder, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop, said that the company’s Hyperloop system must be affordable for people to use. As such, prices should be much closer to driving than flying thanks to the fact that multiple pods (each carrying up to 28 passengers) can travel inside the same tube mere milliseconds apart.
News
AltoVolo Opens Orders For Limited Edition Sigma eVTOLs
Early buyers can now reserve build slots for AltoVolo’s 500-mile hybrid aircraft through a new online configurator.
AltoVolo has started taking pre-orders for its first electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, the Sigma, moving the startup closer to commercial rollout. Customers can now secure a build slot with a £860 deposit and customize every detail online — from paintwork to seatbelt stitching. It’s the first configurator of its kind for a civilian eVTOL, mirroring how luxury car brands let clients tailor performance models before production.
The Sigma runs on a hybrid-electric tilting jet system built for long range and low noise. It can travel up to 500 miles at a 220-mph cruise, and is over 80% quieter than a helicopter. The three-seater weighs just 980kg and can maintain stable flight even if one jet fails. Safety systems include triple-redundant controls, thrust-vectoring stability and a ballistic parachute.
“We will be delivering an ultra-refined hybrid electric aircraft,” said founder and CEO Will Wood. “We believe there are thousands of customers for this type of cutting-edge technology”.
The first 100 units will come with exclusive materials and finishes. AltoVolo is also setting up a global service and maintenance network, with early planning for overhaul schedules already underway. The company’s focus on ownership experience echoes its ambition to anchor itself alongside established aviation brands rather than pure tech ventures.
To help new owners train, the company has built a full-scale simulator that replicates the Sigma cockpit in carbon fiber and leather. Pilots can log time toward a license using the system, aligned with the new US MOSAIC rules that ease certification for powered-lift aircraft. Certification work in Europe and the UK continues in parallel, signaling growing international alignment around light sport and eVTOL regulation.
Also Read: Snapchat Opens Qatar Office To Deepen Gulf Presence
Noise inside the cabin has become another design focus. Engineers are refining internal vibration levels and developing a responsive soundscape that shifts with each jet’s power load — part feedback, part theatre.
Urban air mobility projects across the Gulf and elsewhere are pushing regulators and manufacturers to meet in the middle. Dubai, Riyadh and Doha have each outlined plans for air taxi corridors this decade. AltoVolo’s hybrid Sigma, sitting between electric promise and aviation realism, looks built for that middle ground.
AltoVolo Opens Orders For Limited Edition Sigma eVTOLs
RØDE Unveils Wireless Micro Camera Kit For Hybrid Shooters
Snapchat Opens Qatar Office To Deepen Gulf Presence
Whish Money Gains Canadian Licenses In Global Expansion Push
Be Cautious Of Malicious Apps Even On Trusted App Stores
RobyCam Stadium To Debut In MENA Under New Broadcast Deal
OpenAI Rolls Out ChatGPT Atlas Browser On macOS
Google And Samsung Unveil $1,800 Galaxy XR Headset
Lucid Motors Launches Gravity Grand Touring In The UAE
