Future of transport: From Dubai to Abu Dhabi in 12 minutes

Dubai: An ultra-high-speed train that travels like a jet would significantly cut travel time between Dubai and Abu Dhabi to just about 12 minutes, from the current 90 minutes.

This innovation, using a futuristic mode of vacuum tube-based transport, would lead to an estimated savings of $800 million in lost working hours, according to proponents.

On Saturday, the Dubai Media Office tweeted a video of what it stated was the first pod prototype for Dubai's proposed Hyperloop — which resembles a train but travels at the speed of a jet aircraft, zooming up to 1,200 kph (about 745 mph).

In April, the Dubai-based ports operator DP World, announced it would formally partner with Virgin Hyperloop One to build ultra high-speed cargo delivery systems around the world.

The announcement was attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

He was also joined by billionaire Richard Branson, the British entrepreneur who is chairman of Virgin Hyperloop One, and Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, the chairman and CEO of DP World.

DP World is already the largest investor in Virgin Hyperloop One, occupying two board seats and participating in the US-based company’s latest $50 million funding round.

The newly-branded company, named DP World Cargospeed, will design a hyperloop system to deliver freight from point to point, at a top speed of 1,200 kph.