• Future transportation solutions set to transform people’s daily lives
• Event under Build Earth Live series to enhance Dubai’s status as global platform of multinational expertise
• Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy lauded as one of the best international initiatives to achieve future of transportation

Dubai, June xx, 2016: As part of its Future Partnership Program , Dubai Future Foundation has announced that it will host the ‘Build Earth Live’ contest organized by ‘Astie’ for the Hyperloop Designs in September 2016 in Dubai. The event includes designing a hyperloop link project that will reduce the distance between Dubai and Fujairah to less than 10 minutes of travel time.

The 48-hour contest will involve international scientific cooperation to introduce the latest technology on Hyperloop transportation designs. More than 100 participants have enrolled under teams from various engineering and scientific international enterprises, and in the final stage, six teams will explain their project in front of evaluation judges.

Commenting on the event, His Excellency Mohammed Al Gergawi, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director of Dubai Future Foundation, said: “Dubai is hosting this global event as part of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make the UAE and Dubai a global platform for innovative minds to come together to create futuristic solutions on issues of relevance to humanity. This contest is a great opportunity to explore innovation ideas in the smart transportation sector.”

HE Al Gergawi pointed out that development of future transportation solutions will effectively change the way people handle their daily tasks, and the way they work and commute, especially considering that the world is witnessing a technical revolution involving 3D printing, self-driving vehicles, and robotics. “This will eventually lead to massive global economic growth, and we aim to keep pace with the rapid developments by focusing on smart application of services and innovation in all fields,” HE Al Gergawi added.

HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), and member of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation, explained that RTA’s vision and strategic plans are aligned to the overall objectives of the government, and seek to contribute to the provision of innovative services that enhance the status of Dubai as a pioneer in providing futuristic solutions for all sectors. Smart systems will revolutionize Dubai’s transportation sector, he added.

HE Al Tayer noted that Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy aims to convert 25% of the total commuting trips to autonomous mode (driverless) as one of the world’s most important initiatives, turning Dubai into a global laboratory for next generation technologies in the field of transportation. He also pointed that as part of Dubai’s strategy to shift to autonomous transportation, RTA has recently begun trial runs of the first driverless smart vehicle that accommodates up to 10 passengers. The Authority is also currently working on plans to implement Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy, he added.

Saif Al Aleeli, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, said: “Hyperloop is now a major topic of study and research to find effective ways of implementing technology in line with the global trends of innovation as well as the vision of Dubai Future Foundation as part of Dubai’s Future Cities programme which has smart transportation as a key pillar of the programme.

Al Aleeli noted that hosting of experts as part of the competition will contribute to innovation in the transportation sector, and strengthen partnerships and investments in the field.

Nathan Doughty, Group Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Asite, said: “We are delighted that the UAE is hosting the ‘Build Earth Live’ contest. Through this partnership, we are looking forward to bringing innovative designs to further develop the infrastructure and find realistic future solutions, especially in the transportation sector.”

Prior to the competition, the organizers will release a high-level design brief to all potential participants, followed by full details of the event and the introduction of the final projects. The winners will be selected by a committee of global experts who will judge the projects.

Hyperloop is a system that integrates a low-pressure pipe linking two stations enabling passenger capsules within the pipe to travel at high speeds of up to 1200 km per hour. The technology is capable of reducing the time required for travel between New York and Beijing to just two hours. Experts say that the cost of building a single Hyperloop tube will cost just 10% of the cost of building conventional high speed trains.

Dubai Future Foundation is a leading independent research organisation that will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Dubai in light of the Dubai Future Agenda adopted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Dubai Future Agenda will enhance the future of all strategic sectors of the country through the launch of initiatives and strategies such as the autonomous transportation strategy launched recently as a joint venture between the Dubai Future Foundation and the RTA.

The Agenda seeks to support and enhance the impact of the future sectors on the national economy through the launch of several initiatives and strategies for future such as the recent Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy, which is a joint venture between the Dubai Future Foundation and the RTA, which aims to transform 25% of the total transportation in Dubai to autonomous mode by 2030.
To access the competition’s website: https://www.buildearthlive.com/