2022
Hyperloop is a transportation concept of the future. The idea popularised by Elon Musk combines high-speed travel and energy efficiency. A pod travelling in a near vacuum environment (tunnel) reaches speeds of around 1000km/h while transporting people or cargo. Although often compared to train and air travel, the hyperloop concept poses a number of challenges that need to be solved before hitting the mainstream.
One of these is the overall passenger experience – a topic interesting to designers trying to innovate on the future of transportation. Each year, hyperloop teams compete in the European Hyperloop Week (EHW) trying to push the concept one step closer to reality.
Thus, this concept was created as a competition entry while trying to address questions that need answering in regards to the overall hyperloop implementation.
What does the passenger journey feel and look like?
What are the possibilities when creating a transportation solution from scratch?
What issues need a deeper dive?
The emphasis of the project was the interior of the pod. Unfortunately, it is inherently inaccessible, as the pod needs to be sealed off in a controlled environment. For users, this means spending time in metal tube with no control of their surroundings. Additionally, pod sizes do have limitations which call for an innovative approach to maximise comfort. A leading idea was set.
How might we create a feeling of a bigger space, one that feels friendly and approachable?
This being a transportation solution of the future, an opportunity arose to discard the traditional understandings of transportation interiors, such as ones present in trains and airplanes.
Keywords
Simplicity
Functionality
Honesty
The interior layout consists of 14 individual seats - lounges, positioned in a 1+1 layout with 7 seats placed one behind the other. By omitting the need to satisfy economical effectiveness, the focus was put onto maximum comfort. The main concept was to provide a space that feels both instantly feels familiar while providing a new refreshing experience.
The wall coverings of the passenger compartment use a combination of bent wood and light, creating a continuous rhythm present throughout the space. Since this layout implies that passengers sit alone, the space tries to create a perception of quietness and tranquility.
The seat, or better described as a chaise longue, is the focal point of the whole interior. The idea was to give people a choice, as well as a secluded environment where they can travel safely. The chair can be moved electronically to get into an upright position and it can also be reclined to let the passenger get into the laying position. The protruding piece of mass coming from the side of the passenger compartment into the front of the seat acts as a shield from the rest of the passengers and the noise. The inside of this form is intended to house a curved entertainment system that can show anything that the passenger would like to see, such as trip status, their favorite show, or any other multimedia content.
Two videos were made, with the goal to comprehensively present the design solution to the public and the EHW competition jury.
First, an animation highlighting the interior of the pod by quickly and dynamically giving the viewer an overall look into the design. This video served as a sneak peak, while other content and the report for the competition were still in the works.
The second video outlines the compete passenger experience, from entering the station to taking the pod. This sequence tries to both introduce the journey to the general public as well as highlight the important steps designed for the passengers. Paired with a voiceover, the video shows the full service in action.
The full report for the competition was made with other members of Shift Hyperloop and contains the complete written development of the concept.
