The idea of a hotel room on wheels might sound like a concept from the latest science fiction blockbuster.
But it could soon become a reality, if the latest concept is anything to go by.
Researchers from Xoio aim to make long, boring car journeys a thing of the past with the ‘Swift Pod’.
The futuristic concept vehicle features a large sleeping pod where two travellers can snooze as they’re chauffeured on their journey.
And if you’re in the mood for a midnight snack, there’s no need to stop off at the services – the car will even provide snacks and drinks!.
The Swift Pod is based on the simple idea of travelling long distances at a ‘reasonable speed’ while being asleep.
‘We have always been fascinated by nighttrains and the nostalgic magic of the idea of waking up on your destination after a (fairly) refreshing sleep,’ Xoio explained in a blog post.
The vehicle features a futuristic triangular design.
‘We chose to stick with the iconic triangular shape to emphasize how little would be necessary to accomplish a sustainable means of transporation for long distances,’ the team said.
Two single beds offer sleeping space for two travellers.
As they travel, the passengers can choose to sit upright, or lie down in the ‘comfortable’ bed.
‘Along with a comprehensive media system little snacks and beverages are part of the experiences,’ Xoio said.
Passengers could order a vehicle online, inputting their desired destination and time.
A navigation system would then autonomously calculates the required speed to reach the desired goal in time.
‘It is astonishing how far you are able to travel overnight at eco-friendly speeds, especially when traffic would be low,’ Xoio said.
If you’re not in a huge rush, you could also implement stop-overs for breaks.
‘The Pod-system offers a range of constantly updated, attractive locations to choose from,’ Xoio added.
Unfortunately, the Swift Pod is still very much a concept and it remains unclear when, or even if it will become a reality.
