Sharjah is trialling the UAE’s first high-speed electric sky pod network, which could transport its first passengers within weeks.
Unitsky String Technologies of Belarus is building a 2km suspended track at Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), part of a sustainable SkyWay system designed by Anatoli Unitsky, a scientist and member of the Russian Cosmonautics Federation.
The track carries suspended Unicar pods with luxury interiors, built to withstand the extreme Middle East climate, and will start being piloted in March.
Another 2km test track is due to open at the park in May and within three years, a 130km sky track from Sharjah to Khor Fakkan port could be operational to transport freight.
An ‘urban light’ track can carry pods of up to 14 passengers at speeds of 150kph, while larger carriages transport passengers in either 48 or 75 capacity pods at 500kph.
Cargo pods can carry up to 25 tonnes at a time, at 130kph, significantly reducing the need for heavy goods vehicles, which cause road congestion.
The sky pod project is being supported by the Sharjah Government.
