A first-of-its-kind transport system consisting of wheel less vehicles with levitation technology that travels on magnetic lines high above the ground is coming to Yas Island Abu Dhabi in the next two years, developer Miral announced on Wednesday.

“The system is not implemented anywhere in the world yet. It is a completely new system, very innovative technology and we look forward to having it on Yas Island,” Mohammad Abdulla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, told Gulf News in a telephone interview.

The announcement came after Miral signed of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with skyTran Inc, a Nasa space act company, to start studying and designing the system for Yas Island.

The skyTran system will use computer-controlled, “jet-like” vehicles zipping above traffic along magnetic lines from one destination to another, in what promises to be a more timely and efficient way of getting around the island.

“What is great about it is that it is point to point — you don’t stop at every station. If you are at the hotels and you would like to go to Ferrari World, you don’t have to stop at Yas Water World. It will be customised for your destination requirements” Al Zaabi said.

Al Zaabi explained that while details of the technology are still being worked out, the plan is to use the system through apps. “You let it know where you are and where you are going and it will take you to your destination.”

While he said it was too early to confirm timelines for the system’s installation as the technology itself would not be ready till 2017, they hope to have it on the island by “2017 or early 2018”.

“The system is not complicated to install, it takes around one month to set it up. But, to be ready with the technology to be installed, that might take around one year or one-and-a-half years. We are waiting for our partner to come back to us with a clear timeline,” he said.

Al Zaabi explained the project is planned to be installed in three phases, the first two phases will concentrate on linking their current and future assets on the island while the third phase is hoped to link Yas Island to Abu Dhabi International Airport.

“We have spoken to ADAC (Abu Dhabi Airports Company) and they have expressed interest on the subject … It will be very convenient, you can leave the airport and within a few minutes you will be on Yas Island.”

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Al Zaabi confirmed that while nothing official has been agreed with ADAC, “they (ADAC) are excited about it and eager to have that link”.

According to the developer’s figures, Yas Island currently attracts 25 million visitors a year — a number that is hoped to grow to 30 million with the addition of Miral’s latest announced destination, the Warner Bros theme park, which is planned to open in 2018.

“Our vision is to have Yas Island as one of the top destinations worldwide by 2020 and we are working towards that vision.”

A personal rapid transit (PRT) system technology is:

A computer-controlled, two-person “jet-like” vehicles use skyTran Magnetic Levitation (STML) technology instead of wheels. The high-speed elevated PRT system will have cars zipping above traffic along magnetic lines from one destination to another across the Island,

Unlike normal public transport system, travel from one point to another without any other stops,

Order your vehicle and enter your destination through an app,

Speed is preset,

Travels at high speeds while levitating.