We’ve been covering the progress of Masdar City closely ever since the project was announced and have been pleasantly surprised by the fact that it continues to deliver on most of its ambitious sustainable and architectural goals. For those who are unfamiliar with what Masdar City is it’s a 50,000+ people city being built in Abu Dhabi (part of the United Arab Emirates) and when completed in 2018 will be the first carbon neutral, zero-waste, and car-free city in the world.
That last attribute, “car-free”, doesn’t mean there will not be any form of vehicular transportation. In fact, the city will have an advanced transportation system consisting of a Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) and a Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system located underneath the city allowing for pedestrian traffic to move freely above. The PRT system is an individual point-to-point mobility solution, with 83 stations, that carries residents throughout the city. It has direct links to the adjacent Abu Dhabi International Airport, surrounding developments and will have connected access to Abu Dhabi City.
The first full scale prototype PRTs are now being tested and are performing there intended function quite well. Built by the Dutch company To Get There, the all-electric ‘pods’ currently come in three different models: a 4-seater standard model, a ‘VIP model’, and a freight model used to move cargo and supplies. To maintain Masdar’s carbon neutrality, the PRTs’ batteries will be charged using other batteries charged by solar panels. So unlike the EVs set to rollout this year into the American auto market, the Masdar pods are truly zero-emission vehicles.
With a max speed of just 25 mph, the Masdar pods will get people where they need to go; just not in a big hurry. They have a range of 37 miles on a single charge and will rely solely on RFID chips and sensors to keep themselves on predesignated paths and avoid pedestrians or other obstacles. Like a Roomba, but much more intelligent.
Masdar city planners have already ordered a dozen vehicles which one can assume are for testing seeing as Masdar City’s stated goal for the number of RPTs it intends to use is much greater and the fact that 50,000+ people trying to share a dozen 4-seater pods just isn’t going to work.
Check the video below to see this little thing in action.
The Good: A truly zero-emission EV that doesn’t need an operator to drive it.
The Bad: Large scale implementation of technology like this is only within the reach of incredibly rich countries like Abu Dhabi. The fact that only a dozen have been ordered so far by Masdar city planners is somewhat worrisome considering these ‘pods’ are the central means of transport for Masdar City.
The Bottom-Line: It’s good to see that Masdar City is continuing to remain on its stated sustainable path. Let’s hope the technology/functionality of these EV pods can live up to the aspirations of their designers and supporters.
OUR SUSTAINABILITY RATING:
YOUR SUSTAINABILITY RATING:
Related Posts:
Follow us on Twitter and join us on Facebook. While you're at it, subscribe to our feed as well!
Discussion
View Comments for “Masdar City Automated Electric ‘Pods’ Now Being Tested”