Hyperloop
There’s been a lot of hype around a Hyperloop transportation system since Elon Musk shared his idea with the world in 2013, but there’s been little hint of what a system might look like—until now. Danish architecture firm BIG has revealed a glimpse of a system conceived for Hyperloop One designed to integrate with society and infrastructure.
The concepts are based on what will be the first-ever Hyperloop routes between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They also imagine how such a network would operate in both an urban setting and between cities and how a system might fit into existing transportation networks.
Conventional public transport interchanges require passengers to wait for their bus or train, but Hyperloop One’s system creates an autonomous transportation system that eliminates waiting time and provides seamless connections.
Passengers will book journeys through mobile devices and then be directed to a gate number at a local interchange, or "portal." Here, they will be able to immediately board a pod that can accommodate around 6 to 8 people. Users will be able to book into different types of pod, such as lounge, work or meeting pods, depending on how they wish to use their travel time.
The pods will then travel autonomously by road to a Hyperloop One portal, where clusters of four pods consisting of three passenger pods and one cargo pod, will fill Hyperloop transporters. The transporters will then be maneuvered to tubes that can send them off at near supersonic speeds.
SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Could this concept revolutionize the way we travel? Tell us what you think by leaving your comments below.
Future Of Smart Power
Cities of the future could harness renewable energy, provide fast, abundant communication networks as well as ways to cleanly charge electric vehicles, and thanks to a New York-based start-up, these Smart Cities are one step closer to reality.
Not only is the Totem sleek looking, it combines solar panels with accompanying energy storage, WiFi and 4G, electric vehicle charging and smart lighting.
Totem boasts a 5-kilowatt solar panel array that will power the various features plus be able to feed surplus power back into the grid. Power stored in internal batteries — with a 50-kilowatt hour capacity — will ensure the Totem can still work even if the grid fails.
4G and WiFi modules housed within the poles will allow network services provided by third parties.
LED smart lighting — complete with ambient light sensors — housed under the panels means the Totem could also replace traditional light poles on city streets and company campuses.
The first version of Totem, expected to be released the middle of next year, would be able to charge two EVs at once however what charger types will be supported has not been disclosed.
Totem representatives say the device could help energy, communications and transportation technology “undergo radical transformations to support the emerging needs of truly smart, clean cities.”
SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Are all-in-one devices, such as the Totem, the way of the future as it’s manufacturer suggests? Let us know what you think in the comments below.