Skycab floats on
Personal Rapid Transit project in Hofors makes progress

In January the city and SkyCab met in a cooperative agreement consisting of three parts: the establishment of a PRT center, preparation of a test track, and construction of a pilot system.

The idea is to connect the railway station in Robertsholm with the central parts of Hofors. The five kilometer long pilot system is estimated to cost around US$33.5 million to build, and is expected to stand ready in 2012.

Hofors municipality contributes US$50,000 a year, and the agreement stipulates that both parties shall help with the financing.

SkyCab's CEO Åke Åredahl engaged in intensive lobbying for the project which got both national and international attention.

In February Åredahl took part in the government's environmental technology delegation, led by Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren, to New Delhi and Hyderabad, India. The Indian market in this area is estimated to be worth around US$5.8 billion and grow 12-15 percent each year.

China also shows interest, and representatives have studied the project on site in Hofors.

SkyCab has also been included on U.S. Ambassador Michael Wood's list of 30 Swedish cleantech companies. He has given presentations to American venture capitalists and will present the list to President George W. Bush when the mission in Sweden is to end in the autumn. The interest in environmentally friendly transport has increased sharply in the United States, and much can of course be attributed to former Vice President Al Gore's environmental work.

The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise report "A Better Environment" mentioned SkyCab as a company that contributes to a better environment, and the company is also among the top 12 Swedish companies the World Wildlife Fund points to as climate entrepreneurs.

"SkyCab is an invited speaker to the conference on renewable energy to be held in Brisbane on the 25th of April. Michael Wood will also be there,"says Åke Åredahl.

SkyCab is a driverless taxi that can take up to four people and travels 4-5 feet above the ground. The vehicle runs at about 40 km/hr and is powered by electricity, which reduces CO2 emissions.

SkyCab is conducting feasibility studies in several locations in Sweden. In Sigtuna's master plan a transport system that links Märsta in suburban Stockholm to Arlanda airport, and which would serve approximately 7 million people per year. Preliminary studies have also been carried out in UmeÅ and Stockholm Science City at Stockholm University.

Jan Sundström
jan.sundstrom@gavlenyhetsbyra.se

Futuristic taxi builds in Hofors

(March 21, 2008) In the 90s he was laughing about "science fiction ideas." Now CEO Åke Åredal can soon leave in his first SkyCab vehicle from the train station in Hofors.

The future for public transport is available in Hofors. So far only as a model inside the People's House, but within a few years Hofors citizens will be able to travel between the train station and the city centre in a SkyCab - vehicles on tracks five meters up in the air. The first track is expected to be ready in 2012.

In the future, this could be the means of transportation across the world. At least, if the Swedish founders with headquarters in Stockholm have it their way.

Studies have been made to connect Märsta-Arlanda and the Science City campus in Stockholm. And the conditions are good - the futuristic mode of transport should be quiet, quick and efficient. And above all environmentally friendly.

Less carbon dioxide
Vehicles powered by electricity, run the risk not to end up in traffic congestion and moving directly to on-and disembarkation along the runways. That means less carbon dioxide emissions, lower energy consumption and more free space on the ground because the track goes up in the air. In addition, less noise, according to the prospectus that the company spent on its website.

Climate innovator
The idea of SkyCab's transport solution recently led the conservation group WWF to name SkyCab as one of Sweden's twelve main climate innovators. The company is also on the list of 30 Swedish environmental firms U.S. ambassador Michael Wood will present to his boss, George W. Bush, this autumn.

New jobs and tourists to Gästrikland
In January this year SkyCab made a cooperative agreement with Hofors. This means that the company will establish a PRT center in town and build an initial line from the train station into the city.

City councillor Marie-Louise Dangardt is satisfied with the agreement. "That means a lot of people coming here to observe or work on the project. In the future we're counting of course the cars manufactured here in Hofors. And it will be nothing less than a strong tourist attraction," she says.

The company's CEO Åke Åredal explained Hofors was chosen because there are four distinct seasons here, political stability, transportation is a priority here, and there are companies that can act as subcontractors to SkyCab.

Text: Henrik Nyquist

Marie-Louise Dangardt can now show a full scale model of SkyCab in Hofors People's House.

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