COVID-19 has changed the perception of life in the last year or so, and still shows no signs of retreat, while new variants still endanger human life.
Recent scientific research has shown that such pandemics will be a future practice, and to get around them we will have to change our own lifestyle. Obviously, the way we move 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 “autonomous sharing” system is imagined as a 1, 2 or 4 person unit with an airy space, like a tiny, very bright studio apartment. Keeping things very minimal inside, the idea is to create a relaxing environment while respecting, when necessary, the rules of spacing. Public transport imagined by Jeon they are capsule-shaped on wheels, and divide the seating area for each passenger with glass separators and individual infotainment systems. Air purifiers and UV sanitization (on exposed surfaces such as tables) guarantee the minimum spread of contagious viruses or other pathogens for the safety of the passenger. If necessary, the separators can be re-entered creating different areas and spaces. Whether they 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 object that passengers want to carry. It's a small manifesto of things you need in an uncertain future, where being safe is the only option to avoid damage 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.
Pivot of Safety in action 
An overall look 
The large four-seater configuration, complete with dividing plants. Not bad for public transport! 
Socialization guaranteed in compliance with safety 
Two-person and one-person modules
