ABU DHABI // The inventor of Rollerblades is proposing a human-powered transportation system for the country’s major tourist hubs and eventually in the clean-technology hub Masdar City.
Propelled by a belt-driven transmission, the vehicles would allow riders in individual pods to cycle or row their way along an elevated monorail.
SkyRide Technology will also include electric-powered capsules that will draw energy from solar panels on tracks and housing stations.
The system, developed by the inventor Scott Olson, could be used at universities, company campuses, in local tourist destinations and even as a large-scale urban transportation system.
“People are always looking for things to do, so it could be looked at as a tourist attraction or an activity for people with the mentality of being active, healthy or fit,” said Adam Meyer, SkyRide’s chief marketing officer. “Of course for everyday use or for people not interested in manual effort, there will be alternatives.”
The company has proposed the technology to Masdar, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce, Ferrari World, and several other local organisations.
econroy@thenational.ae
