Pivot of Safety: future public transport? (Also) autonomous and self-sanitizing

COVID-19 has changed the perception of life over the last year or so, and still shows no signs of retreating, while new variants still endanger human life. 

Recent scientific research has shown that such pandemics will be a future habit, and to get around them we will have to change our own lifestyle. Obviously, the way we get around will also require a “detour”, especially in public transport. pivot of safety, concept by Yongho Jeon, South Korean designer, is a look to the future in which maintaining social distances in public transport will be of primary importance.

Together, divided or… both

The “self-sharing” system is imagined as a 1, 2 or 4 person unit with an airy space, like a tiny, very bright studio apartment. By keeping things very minimal inside, the idea is to create a relaxing environment while also respecting the distancing rules when necessary. Public transport imagined by Jeon they are capsule-shaped on wheels, and divide the seating area for each passenger with glass partitions and individual infotainment systems. Air purifiers and UV sanitization (on exposed surfaces such as tables) ensure minimal spread of contagious viruses or other pathogens for passenger safety. If necessary, the separators can retract, creating different areas and spaces. Whether there are 4 single passengers, or a group of 4 family members, these public transports adapt automatically.

Public transport, public health

Once a passenger or group of passengers has completed their journey, Pivot of Safety public transport will self-disinfect using the UV light. On the wheels, there is enough space to store luggage or any large items that passengers want to transport. It's a little manifesto of things that are needed in an uncertain future, where being safe is the only option to avoid harm and curb the spread of deadly pathogens. 

Yongho's concept is very suggestive, it projects me into more utopian than dystopian futures. In general, I find it a very clean design project and basically feasible in real contexts for next-generation public transport in the near future.

Here is a gallery showing other images of this project.