Virgin Hyperloop

MAIDEN VOYAGE ON LAND

Virgin Hyperloop Unveils Passenger Experience Vision

It’s one of the most anticipated mass transportation systems of a generation, set to revolutionise the way we travel and reduce lengthy commutes to mere minutes; and having successfully completed test-runs with humans on board, Virgin Hyperloop has now revealed its vision for the passenger experience.

“Designing a new mode of transportation from scratch is both an opportunity and a responsibility,” comments Sara Luchian, Virgin Hyperloop’s Director of Passenger Experience and one of the first people to ride the vehicle last November. “Hyperloop technology – and what it enables – is paradigm-shifting. It follows that the passenger experience should be nothing short of extraordinary.”

Together with partners from disparate industries – including Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) for the portal designs, Teague for the pod designs, See Three for the video and animation, and Man Made Music for the score and sonic identity – Virgin Hyperloop has created a multi-sensory environment for a greener, smoother, safer and more pleasant mass transit experience.

“Virgin Hyperloop can accelerate the future of mobility on land. The new mode of travel at supersonic speed rethinks transportation and the perception of space, landscape, time and distance,” says Bjarke Ingels, founder and Creative Director of BIG. “In this day and age, Virgin Hyperloop taking off from our portals provides holistic, intelligent transportation for a globalised community to travel across vast distances in a safer, cleaner, easier and faster way than airlines.”

For the pods, Teague worked to the guiding principles of being mindful, sustainable and welcoming, believing that the interiors should feel more akin to hospitality than transportation. “We leveraged decades of experience designing how people and things move across various modalities – taking some of the best aspects from aviation, rail, automotive and even hospitality to create a new and better passenger experience that is distinct to Virgin Hyperloop,” explains John Barratt, CEO and President, Teague. “Recessed seat wells provide a greater sense of space, while the raised aisle is a touch of the unexpected and unique. Bands of greenery and wood textures

subvert the aesthetic of typical mass transit materials with something optimistic and fresh. All lighting in the pod – including the unassuming information displays – are dynamic and adjust based on traveller activity and journey milestones.”

A neutral palette of warm greys pairs with textures and sustainably-sourced materials, while concealed technology only reveals itself when there’s a message to convey. Teague also implemented a dynamic ambient lighting system and opened up the space with a virtual skylight that simulates the time of day.

Beyond the typical touchpoints in transportation, Virgin Hyperloop also researched and incorporated findings from more non-traditional interactions, such as sound. “Through proprietary research and a design thinking approach to creating sound and sonic solutions for Virgin Hyperloop, Man Made Music was able to address myriad potential challenges for this new mode of transportation, from how to evoke a sense of privacy and space to an enhanced sense of safety and calm,” explains Joel Beckerman, founder and Lead Composer at Man Made Music. “We respond to sound quicker than any other sense, so sound actually drives multi-sensory experiences. The sonic cues of the Virgin Hyperloop identity system serves as a guide for passengers throughout their experience while instilling confidence, safety and clarity – you ‘feel’ it rather than ‘hear’ it. Just like a great movie score, it tells the story.”

A key pillar of Virgin Hyperloop’s vision is accessibility, ensuring that the new form of transportation expands opportunities for the masses. While ticket prices will vary depending on the route, a recent study found that fares would be more akin to the cost of driving than flying. “It’s simple. If it’s not affordable, people won’t use it,” concludes Jay Walder, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop. “Daily high-speed transport is currently not feasible for most people, but we want to change that notion. Imagine being able to commute between cities that are currently hours apart in minutes – and the endless possibilities that opens up.”

Following successful passenger testing, Virgin is paving the way for hyperloop systems around the world; the company aims to achieve safety certification by 2025, with commercial operations beginning in 2030.