Category Archives: Transportation

Transit Design: “Double-Decker Driverless Tram”

Italian Designer Andrea PontiIsland is a double-decker driverless tram designed for the city of Hong Kong in the post-Covid era. This highly innovative design concept incorporates industrial design, transportation design, public design, urban mobility and sustainability.

Andrea Ponti Driverless Tram interiorThe project includes exterior, interior and tram stop design. With the Coronavirus pandemic, people are shunning public transport and relying much more on private transport. 

The name Island references the innovative design of the interiors, where large circular benches facilitate social distancing and passengers sit facing outwards in a radial pattern. The exterior design is inspired by the Hong Kong urban landscape, which features vast surfaces of glass and rounded-corner buildings. Natural light floods the interiors during the day through the curved windows and a domed top, which also provide awe-inspiring views at night.

The driverless technology optimizes the interior space of the tram, making it easier to manage travel times and increase onboard safety. The tram has a retractable connector for rapid charging at tram stops. Large vertical LEDs enhance visibility in all weather conditions. The interior design contrasts with the exterior.

Andrea Ponti Driverless Tram interior seating
Large circular benches facilitate social distancing as passengers sit facing outwards in a radial pattern.

Minimalist design, charcoal black walls, soft circular seating, wooden floors and trims with natural finish all create a neutral and friendly environment. This chromatic diversity, in addition to the dark color palette, frames and accentuates the beauty of the Hong Kong urban landscape.

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Transportation: “How Covid-19 Is Changing Everyday Commuting”

Traveling on trains and buses means potential exposure to the coronavirus, so cities are racing to make their public transit systems safe. WSJ explores how things like sanitizing robots, working from home and expanded bike lanes are changing our commutes. Video/Illustration: Jaden Urbi and Zoë Soriano.

Classic Car History: “Alfa Romeo 110th Anniversary” – Museum And Automotive Collection (Videos)

As Alfa Romeo celebrates its 110th anniversary in 2020, discover and relive the brand’s signature moments, from its first car in 1910 and first F1 championship in 1950 to this year’s limited-edition Giulia GTA and future Tonale concept crossover.

 

Future Of Houseboating: “Lounge Boat” By German Firm FINCKH ARCHITEKTEN

Lounge Boat - FINCKH ARCHITEKTEN BDA“Houseboats in the ‘Tom Sawyer wooden hut style’ are still widespread in the tourist sector,” architect Chris Finckh explains the idea behind the new development. “We wanted to build a boat that would allow you to experience the changing natural and urban spaces intensively and in a very special way from the water. It should be a powerful touring houseboat with a high standard of aesthetics and functionality.

“The boat-loving architects, Chris Finckh and Tanja Wunderlich-Finckh, teamed up with Haus & Boot Manufaktur Magdeburg, which specializes in advice, planning and building individual houseboats is and implemented the planning of the architects. 

The lounge boat is 44 square meters, has four beds and a small bathroom with all the necessary amenities. It is approved for inland waters (category D), but can also sail larger rivers such as the Elbe or Havel as a version with more motorization. As a spatial extension, there is a U-shaped roof terrace, which is designed as a lounge area and is accessible via a ladder at the rear. 

Lounge Boat - FINCKH ARCHITEKTEN BDA

“We have already used the noraplan uni rubber flooring more often in residential construction, it is perfectly suited for the high-quality material concept of the lounge boat,” Finckh continues. “With its silky matt surface and pleasant feel, the material looks extremely classy”.

 

Lounge Boat - FINCKH ARCHITEKTEN BDA

The prototype of the new touring houseboat, which is currently in Werder an der Havel, meets the highest demands in terms of aesthetics and functionality. The color is limited to a minimum, so that there is a lot of space for experiencing nature. The materials also had to match the high-quality ambience and the puristic room concept. 

Lounge Boat - FINCKH ARCHITEKTEN BDA

The architect therefore chose the rubber covering noraplan uni  from nora systems. The special feature: Not only the floors of the lounge boat, but also the walls were covered with the product. The design classic with its subtle light gray and matt surface ideally underlines the classy, ​​puristic look.

Designer/Architects Website

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Travel: “MyBusHotel” Converts School Buses Into Luxury Campers

Our expertise in converting buses started with a 39’ school bus named Natasha. Converting a school bus into a home on wheels was part of an ambitious project : the road trip of our life. We converted our bus with the help of some of the best craftsmen in South California.

MyBusHotel Interior

MyBusHotel Side ViewOnce completed, we drove off to South America and traveled around 16 countries, for what was going to be the best road trip ever ! Before we drove a single mile, we had to build Natasha and after doing all the cabinet-making, welding, dovetailing and decking, we became specialist ! The art and craft of building the best home on wheels is now our job ! Every square inch of the skoolies we build is up to convenience, comfort, functionality and aestheticism. We only build skoolies we would live in, and we are pretty demanding. Working with wood and metal experts, we put our heart and passion in every project we have, eager to create something meaningful for our adventure-seeking clients.

MyBusHotel Roof Deck

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Future Transportation: “APTERA – Solar Powered Electric Vehicles”

Aptera enjoys unparalleled efficiency, using just under 100Wh per mile for everyday driving. And they can go more than 40 miles a day on solar power — five times farther than other EVs with the same-sized solar system.

Aptera Solar Powered Electric Vehicles

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Future Transportation: “BMW Motorrad Electric Motorcycle” (Iago Valiño)

From a Yanko Design article (June 3, 2020):

This electric motorcycle is designed for long-distance journeys keeping in mind any tough conditions that can come up on the way. The aesthetic has been inspired by the iconic Ural motorcycles with the designer adding his own modern twist on the post-WWII BMW customs…it swaps the traditional passenger cart for a sidecar which will be equipped with tools and essential gear. The extra storage space also includes straps to hold down the cargo or tools you are carrying and with a flat base, there is room for extra batteries too.

BMW Motorrad x ESMC Off-Road Adventure e-motorcycle - Iago Valiño Designs

We love seeing designers get creative with electric bikes! Each one is unique with its features and our current favorite is this conceptual electric BMW Motorrad blended with El Solitario MC elements that is nothing like we’ve seen before in the e-bike world. It is bringing retro sidecars back with a cool new makeover!

Iago Valiño Design Website

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Business Podcasts: “How One Airline Sees The Future Of Flying” (WSJ)

WSJ PodcastsAirlines have strained to survive after travel dried up because of the coronavirus pandemic. WSJ’s Alison Sider explains how airlines are adjusting, and the CEO of Southwest Airlines paints a picture of what the future of flying might look like.