Virgin Hyperloop One, a pioneer in development of a full-scale hyperloop system, will be highlighting the role of its technology in building future cities at the FutureTech Construction Summit in Dubai.

The event is being held as part of The Big 5, the largest construction event in the Middle East region, which runs from November 26 to 29 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. It will also showcase innovative technologies and introduce promising start-ups to the region.

At the summit, Harj Dhaliwal, the managing director (Middle East and India) at Virgin Hyperloop One, will highlight the role of hyperloop technology in building future cities.

Virgin Hyperloop One systems, which use magnetic levitation, can deliver speeds that are two to three times faster than that of high-speed rail as well as a seamless, on-demand travel experience. Its technology is also emission-free and entirely autonomous, presenting a solution that both addresses people’s needs and minimizes environmental challenges.

Talking about Virgin Hyperloop One’s plans in the region, Dhaliwal said: "The UAE is an important market for us. With a government that is supportive of innovative forward-thinking projects, the emirates is a natural fit for our hyperloop systems. The region is also geographically well-suited for hyperloop systems considering its relatively flat terrain."

"Additionally, its favourable regulatory environment is a key factor for us as we certify our systems for commercial use,” he stated.  

Besides Virgin Hyperloop One, senior officials from Microsoft, Saudi Aramco, Faithful+Gould, ASGC, Aecom, Orecon, Meraas and Mont Hill will be at the FutureTech Construction Summit which kicks off on November 26.

The summit is expected to spur debate and provide viable solutions to improve the construction sector’s productivity, sustainability and affordability with the help of technology, said the organisers.

Herbert Fuchs, the chief information officer at ASGC, and one of the panelists at the summit, said: "The biggest hurdle to overcome isn’t technology or a lack of ideas and innovation; the challenges are within the companies themselves."

"Technology has a significant role to play in the transformation of the construction industry. While other industries are charging ahead quickly with innovation, the construction industry has been long overdue for a technological overhaul," stated Fuchs.

"The current sense of traditionalism must be addressed. My belief is that companies must take calculated risks in order to adopt a technology-savvy approach to business that keeps up with the digitalised world we are competing in. Changing culture may not be easy, but it is essential to keep abreast of changing times," he added.

Prakash Senghani, the digital project delivery lead construction services at Aecom, said: "As an industry, we need to embrace technology and digital to counter some of the well documented issues around health and safety, quality and productivity.”

Looking at the future, Senghani expects a broader use of automation in construction. “The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning to automate monotonous tasks as well as automation utilizing robotics are both aspects that will change the way we design, manage, construct and operate assets in the built environment,” he added.

Josine Heijmans, the portfolio director of The Big 5, said: "There’s no doubt that the construction sector is a late adopter of technology, with investments in this field being low compared to other major industries. Yet, I am very positive about the role our FutureTech Construction Summit will play in advancing the construction sector in the region."

“I am also extremely proud of the new features we’re bringing to The Big 5 to drive this much needed change and help construction professionals overcome today’s challenges,” she added.-TradeArabia News Service