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United Arab Emirates building network of driverless electric taxis
United Arab Emirates, land awash in petroleum, why are you so ahead of us with your gasoline-free Masdar City (a city-within-a-city in Abu Dhabi)? Well, the Emirates are awash in another key ingredient — petrodollars. But look at what they've done with all that cash: PRT (personal rapid transit), driverless electric taxis that take to the streets later this year.
When the system's fully built, planners say the podcars will be able to deliver riders within 100 meters of any location in the city. The whole network of tracks for the cars will be two stories beneath street level.
The cost? Its creators say the system will pay for itself by charging riders the same price they'd pay for an equivalent taxi ride. Similar podcars are in use at Heathrow Airport near London, but never have they been deployed on such a city-wide scale.
Via Treehugger
By tektonic at 7:03 PM ON 02/02/09
It will use 2,000 vehicles and take 7 years to build out - but what a wonderful mobility system it will be when finished!
By namelessme at 10:06 AM ON 02/03/09
The more I check the progress of other nations, the more I want to get out of this 20th century rut america is in. Almost every other civilized nation is beginning to look more and more futuristic while america continues to lag behind in innovation and, more importantly, the implementation of innovations. How long is it taking legislators in the united states to sanction electric automobiles and charge stations? And there are programs in 8 other civilized nations under way to install such charge stations throhgout major cities. Just how many years of progress did Bush inhibit? I mean I also think part of it has to do with a better application of socialism for these other nations. America, once it learns to apply socialist principles properly, will start looking more advanced too. I think Obama is aware of this.
By glush555 at 8:41 AM ON 02/06/09
In 1933 a man named William M. Branham spoke of a time when man would invent "driverless" cars. he said that he saw a "vision" of vehicles going down the highway with no steering wheel. And the family in the car was playing a game of Checkers. He also menioned that the cars would evolve into an "egg-shape" design.
By Johnny Cab at 10:48 AM ON 02/06/09
Welcome to Johnny Cab!
Fail in 5...4...3...
By One World Travels at 4:50 AM ON 02/13/09
Wow! Is this for real? I haven't got wind of it as yet in Dubai... Let's hope the cabs come into operation quickly. Anything to reduce the pollution be a few degrees!
- Casey Andrews
By One who cares at 3:33 AM ON 04/16/09
This is a fullillment of prophecy given by Brother William Branham in 1933 of the 7 major events that will happen before the world systems end and the Millenium starts. This means the Rapture is closer now than ever before.
By boofka at 2:41 PM ON 07/11/09
@One who cares
By my watch, it's nine years past the start of the millennium.
on your cellphone!
Text DVICE to 72434
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boofka:
@One who cares By my watch, it's nine years past the start of the millennium....More »