World's first autonomous 'Skytrain' now in China; is 3X better than subway trains

In the transport technology, China has recently experimented with an autonomous ‘Skytrain', the elevated monorail, which was put on trial operation in Qingdao, eastern China's Shandong Province, said CGTN report. 
 
According to the report, Chinese engineers say that 'Skytrain' can perform nearly three times better than regular subway trains and can ascend gradients of 100 meters over a distance of 1,000 meters.
 
Designed as a lightweight, intermediate speed, medium traffic volume, and low-cost transport system, the 'Skytrain' reportedly has huge market potential in scenic areas, mountainous regions, and major cities.
 
Made by CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co. Ltd, the suspension train will reportedly be able to carry up to 510 passengers in three to five carriages, with the maximum running speed of 70 km per hour.
 
"This monorail train uses the latest permanent magnet motor technology, which enables it to have the advantages of larger power, smaller physical volume, lower noise, and lighter weight, thus realizing better operating efficiency," Liu Yuwen, technical director of the project, told CGTN.
 
Liu Yuwen further stated that the sky train will be able to provide passengers with a safe and comfortable ride through steep and rugged mountainous regions.
 
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The elevated rail networks can also be cheaper to build and maintain, and can be set up quickly, said the report adding that China is now the third country in the world to have developed this kind of technology, after Germany and Japan.