After a year of close collaboration between Virgin Hyperloop, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), and Kilo Design, the Pegasus Pod has become the first manned and fully functional system for Hyperloop travel after a successful test in the Nevada desert.
BIG and Kilo designed for the pod’s first use case while also defining the design language and characteristics for future Virgin Hyperloop vehicles. The two-seater Pegasus Pod was built to demonstrate that passengers can safely travel in a Hyperloop vehicle. It is equipped with a control system that can detect off-nominal states and rapidly trigger appropriate emergency responses. The six-sm interior has the necessary safety equipment and controls built into the furniture. The production vehicle will be larger and seat up to 28 passengers.
The front scoops of the vessel create natural steps for easy entry and egress, and apertures on the sides of the fairing and on the front door contain a forward-facing window for outward viewing down the tunnel. These features create a link to Pegasus’ external design, where repeating soft forms and pill-shape cutouts are used to highlight depth, layers, and entryways.
Inside, the seating elements and extended arms function as an entry and egress aid, storage for safety equipment, oxygen throughput, and lighting. The seats can also be quickly assembled and disassembled for rear equipment access.
“When designing the future of transportation and the slate is sort of blank, the opportunities are endless. We’ve needed to adjust our way of thinking away from the classic modes of transporting like trains, planes and metros, and towards a new vehicle typology, closest to that of a spaceship,” said Jakob Lange, Partner, BIG, in a release.
Related Stories
| Jul 18, 2013
GSA regains stature under Tangherlini, who looks to trim its holdings, cut energy costs [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Over the past 15 months, Acting GSA Administrator Dan Tangherlini has done a creditable job of restoring the agency’s standing with Congress and the public.
| Jul 1, 2013
Report: Global construction market to reach $15 trillion by 2025
A new report released today forecasts the volume of construction output will grow by more than 70% to $15 trillion worldwide by 2025.
| Jun 28, 2013
Building owners cite BIM/VDC as 'most exciting trend' in facilities management, says Mortenson report
A recent survey of more than 60 building owners and facility management professionals by Mortenson Construction shows that BIM/VDC is top of mind among owner professionals.
| Jun 12, 2013
‘Talking’ Braille maps help the visual impaired
Talking pen technology, combined with tactile maps, allows blind people to more easily make their way around BART stations in the Bay Area.
| Jun 5, 2013
USGBC: Free LEED certification for projects in new markets
In an effort to accelerate sustainable development around the world, the U.S. Green Building Council is offering free LEED certification to the first projects to certify in the 112 countries where LEED has yet to take root.
| Jun 3, 2013
Construction spending inches upward in April
The U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced today that construction spending during April 2013 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $860.8 billion, 0.4 percent above the revised March estimate of $857.7 billion.
| May 28, 2013
Minneapolis transit hub will double as cultural center [slideshow]
The Building Team for the Interchange project in downtown Minneapolis is employing the principles of "open transit" design to create a station that is one part transit, one part cultural icon.
| May 20, 2013
4 emerging trends in parking structure design
Survey of parking professionals reveals how technology is transforming the parking industry.
| May 3, 2013
'LEED for all GSA buildings,' says GSA Green Building Advisory Committee
The Green Building Advisory Committee established by the General Services Administration, officially recommended to GSA that the LEED green building certification system be used for all GSA buildings as the best measure of building efficiency.
| May 2, 2013
A snapshot of the world's amazing construction feats (in one flashy infographic)
From the Great Pyramids of Giza to the U.S. Interstate Highway System, this infographic outlines interesting facts about some of the world's most notable construction projects.