Monday, April 26, 2010

The New Age of Travel: Blimps and Beyond

from the New York Times "Room for Debate" blogs:



The Icelandic volcano that disrupted global air travel last week raised a concern: should we be thinking of alternative ways to move masses of people and goods? Scientists warn that more eruptions may cause new turmoil in the months ahead, a prospect that has generated discussion of future — even futuristic — modes of transportation.

Can anything replace the plane? If so, what is exciting to dream about, while waiting in the airport departure lounge?
[Check out the opinions of these folks:]
Kat Hannaford, Gizmodo.com
Simon Winchester, author of “Krakatoa”
Mark Frauenfelder, founder of boingboing.net
Robert Poole, Reason Foundation

This is the latest animation by design and innovation company Seymourpowell of its visionary transportation concept, Aircruise - a giant, vertical airship powered by natural energy and designed to carry travellers in style and luxury.
Originally a self-generated project, Seymourpowell's Aircruise is the concept design for a hotel in the sky, with low passenger numbers and huge internal spaces offering room for living, dining and relaxing, as well as scope for dramatic and inspirational public spaces. The initial design proposes a bar/lounge zone, four duplex apartments, a penthouse and five smaller apartments.
The concept subsequently captured the imagination of Korean giant Samsung Construction and Trading (C&T). Driven by its interest in new materials for building, Samsung C&T appointed Seymourpowell to refine the idea and produce a detailed computer animation of the proposed experience to illustrate this visionary approach to the future.

here's another :

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