The future is now with the Move Lab‘s latest invention Bubblic Public (BP) project. These public transport vehicles are inspired by bubbles not only in their form and look but also their functionality—appearing out of thin air these self-driving “bubbles” will be able to pick up the users using localization technology, making the project seem like an ideal futuristic public transportation.
The idea behind BP is to meet the demand for a better and improved public transport system that will be more eco-friendly and will be able to go to places with no infrastructure all around the globe.
Designed as a project for the Mobility Class at ID KAIST, led by Prof. Hyunjoon Park, BP is a creative collaboration of two post-graduate researchers Jungwoo Kim and Geunyong Park from ID+IM lab with Prof. Park and Prof. Sangmin Bae from Move Lab.
Users can order a rideshare or hop on the nearest available BP via the app. Using BP as a taxi or public transport will predetermine its seating layout which can be easily rearranged thanks to the seat matrix on the floor. No matter the layout one thing is for certain—the ride will be extremely comfortable thanks to the inflated bubble seats.
Although BP is introduced as an on-demand public transport, it is more than that. It can be used as not only a passenger transport but also a delivery vehicle and a mobile smart farm thanks to its modular design made of extendable chassis and bubbles. Based on the demand, BP adjusts its size to provide the best experience for the users, making it versatile and flexible.
As BP is designed to be used for delivery purposes as well, when necessary seating modules can be replaced with reusable bubble packages creating more space and protecting the goods.
The effortless process of entering and exiting the vehicle is possible due to the front, back, and side rows of BP all opening up, the air suspension lowering the car, and ramps sliding out to provide an easy hop in and out experience for the passengers.
BP’s sustainability is seen through its design. Its bamboo stem-inspired chassis makes these bubble vehicles look visually appealing, sleek, and clean, embellishing any surroundings without “visual interruption”. Made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) BPs are military-grade durable and can be easily replaced due to their modular system.
However, sustainability doesn’t end with design, as these bubbles are also ideal for the environment and areas without infrastructure. Its flexibility in offering on-demand services is especially valuable in this day and age, where due to diverse lifestyles and work schedules many people need their own unique settings for their transport. By offering a versatile and circular ecosystem, BP is an innovative autonomous tech project that can adjust to any user’s needs.
According to the developers, BPs are designed to be used in every corner of the world, as they don’t need an infrastructure or any system to be designed for its service. Due to the easy maintenance and longevity of the parts, BPs are also ideal for communities around the globe focusing on implementing more sustainable practices and prioritizing eco-friendly life cycles of products for better protection of our planet.
