Students from Elisava design the interior of a Hyperloop wagon, the high-speed transport system of the future

A team of eleven students from the Degree in Design and the Degree in Industrial Design Engineering have designed the interior of one of the Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HyperloopTT) capsule cars.

The Hyperloop system is a new means of land transportation for people and goods based on a network of near-vacuum tubes through which large capsules circulate. This system, which uses levitation and magnetic propulsion technologies designed to reach a speed of 1200 km/h, could connect Barcelona and Paris in 90 minutes and could be a reality by 2030.

The students have worked together with a HyperloopTT team to design and develop the interior of one of their capsules. They have created a 2.30-metre 3D-printed mock-up. Their challenge: to design a comfortable capsule that would meet all expectations on a technical and aesthetic level. With this objective in mind, the students have worked from the user experience to the technical and aesthetic requirements of high-speed transport.

The result of this joint work is Salon, a proposal for a practical, intuitive, diaphanous and obstacle-free space that allows passengers to go on about their daily lives as usual. According to the project, travellers board the capsule by facial recognition and find their seat through a motion sensor that activates LED lights; they can also interact with various devices and access their personal cloud.

The design of the chair has a curvature in the middle that harmonises the design and conveys a technological yet luxurious form, as well as providing a sense of protection in which the chair embraces the user. It is accompanied by a table, Hyper-Tray, which can be placed in different positions depending on the task at hand.

Elisava’s students have considered all the details to make a totally airtight carriage a comfortable place that transmits an innovative experience that reconciles the digital and technological world with convenience and comfort.

The lighting in the salon blends in with the light outside the capsule. If it is 12 noon outside, the capsule will be fully illuminated, recreating sunlight; if it is 10 p.m., the lights will be much dimmer. Another important element is the creation of a unique atmosphere inside the capsule through a luminous graphic on the sides of the train that reflects the outside landscape through colours, shapes and textures.

In addition, the panoramic roof is another way of providing light and simulating a realistic landscape. The ceiling is formed by an artificial skylight, a group of state-of-the-art televisions that simulate the sky and are characterised by a curvature adapted to the exterior walls of the capsule’s interior. These screens are capable of projecting 4K images of the best quality on the market today, for example, a blue sky, a foggy forest or sandy mountains.

In terms of the passenger’s dining experience, users will experience an innovative, futuristic and high quality experience. Bearing in mind that the future Hyperloop capsule will not have a crew service during its journeys, the students have created an automated distribution system for the delivery of food and drink by means of transport capsules, which reach the user by means of tubes located on the sides of the salon.

According to Javier Peña, Elisava General Director and Scientist, “Having HyperloopTT as a collaborating company is a satisfaction and an opportunity for the students to work on real challenges launched by an innovative company and a world leader in its sector.”

HyperloopTT CEO, Andrés de Léon, has highlighted “the high level of the proposals made by Elisava students and the professionalism of the final results, as well as the opportunity to work together with the new generations who are designing the future.”

For their part, project tutors Daria de Seta, Head of Space Design at the faculty, and Carla Zollinger have stood out “the innovative methodological work that started with creative prototypes based on sensory concepts and incorporating references from art, psychology, health and furniture design.”

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HyperloopTT) is an innovative transportation and tech company focused on developing the hyperloop, a system that moves people and goods safely, efficiently and sustainably by bringing the speed of aircraft to the ground. Using unique, patented technology and an advanced collaborative business model, HyperloopTT is creating the first new form of transportation in more than a century.

Founded in 2013, HyperloopTT has a global team of more than 800 engineers, creatives and technologists in 52 multidisciplinary teams, with 50 corporate and university partners. With headquarters in Los Angeles, CA and Toulouse, Francia, HyperloopTT has offices in North and South America, the Middle East and Europe. HyperoopTT has signed the United Nations Global Accords, which reflects the company’s compromise with the UN’s Sustainable Development Objectives.

Students: Arnau Agustí, Aina González, Guillem Ruiz, Bru Calpe, Manel Cera, Mariona Rodríguez, Itzal Llorens, Francesc Baena, Eulalia Triana, Helena Garcia and Erik Obermüller.

Tutors: Daria de Seta and Carla Zollinger.