Driverless, high-speed, computer controlled pods that use magnetic levitation technology to operate skywards: did I throw enough future tech at you to get your attention? The future of transportation definitely isn’t a bird or a plane, and it sure as hell ain’t Superman, either. In fact, Tel Aviv is way ahead of the books and movies, because by the end of the year, they should have the first of its kind up and running: sky taxis.
That’s right, NASA Space Act company, skyTran, is all about high-speed, low-cost “Elevated Personal Rapid Transportation (PRT),” the fancy way of saying taxis in the sky. And just like that, a new generation of mass transportation is created. Although several years in the making, the sci-fi tech started generating some buzz earlier in the year, and as skyTran and Tel Aviv approach their projected completion date (late 2015), the anticipation continues to build.
So how exactly does skyTran want to revolutionize the Tel Aviv city of Herzliya? skyTran’s sky taxis will be state-of-the-art, computer-controlled pods that can accommodate a maximum of two people and essentially operate similar to an inverted monorail, only it’s more of a levitating monorail (and without pushy tourists if you have any understanding of the words Disney or theme park).
In other words, the pods drive along guide rails that are suspended from existing power lines. The pods will likely run throughout major cities and destinations within Tel Aviv to make it both tourist-friendly and practical for daily commuters going to and from work.
Weighing in at only 300 pounds per pod, the new mode of transportation will only use about a third of the electricity that it typically takes to run a single hybrid car, making sky taxis not only techy and cool to look at, but efficient, fast, and eco-friendly. And although skyTran won’t be able to make personal calls to your home just yet, the sky taxi service essentially works like any other taxi service: if you need a lift, you catch a ride- in the skies.
skyTran’s ultimate goal is to eventually eradicate an outdated system of train schedules and central stations and replace them with their own above-ground “grid system.” The grid system is designed to have a number of “off ramps” that will act as stations where users will be able to hail pre-booked taxi pods. The company also designed the taxis to be smart-phone accessible, meaning you can arrange for pick-up through your mobile phone.
The concept came to skyTran after the need to reduce and control traffic in Tel Aviv (and around the world) became apparent, after which the company set out to create the world’s first fully functional sky transportation service. In fact, the team is banking on skyTran being such a success that eventually, people will ditch their rides all together and automobiles will become obsolete. I wouldn’t hold my breath, but everyone’s entitled to dream a little dream.
And in taking that first step towards CEO Jerry Sanders’ dream, skyTran’s first pilot program is scheduled for the end of the year at Israel Aerospace Industries, where less than a mile long demonstration of the sky system is set to take place. Within the next three years, skyTran is also looking to get certified to start construction on a 12 mile long track for public use, with apparently little to no regard for the outcome of their pilot. It’s all full-speed ahead for the sky service with plans to even expand into Europe and Asia.
So will we all be sitting pretty in the sky someday? Only time will tell, but something tells me the bat mobile in space just wouldn’t be as cool as the bat mobile on wheels.
So until then, I’m Christopher Clark with my feet firmly planted on the ground, prepared for take-off. Good night and good luck.
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