Toronto designer unveils self-driving hotel roomNovember 21, 2018 - 12:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Toronto-based Steve Lee of Aprilli Design Studio has unveiled the Autonomous Travel Suite (ATS) - a hotel room crossed with a self-driving vehicle - which could revolutionize the way you travel, Action News Now reports. Lee says that his hybrid concept, which won this year's Radical Innovation Award -- a design competition for the hospitality industry -- combines his experience in hotel design and architecture with his passion for futuristic technology. While car designers have focused on developing advanced versions of conventional vehicles, "as an architect, I see self-driving vehicles as more being more like a mobile room," says Lee. Designed to carry travelers on journeys of between six and 10 hours, the ATS is equipped with many of the elements found in a traditional hotel room: a sleeping space (with a memory foam mattress), a work space, a tiny kitchen, a toilet, a sitting shower and an "entertainment zone" for watching movies and gaming. It is encased by panoramic smart glass windows that dim at the touch of a button. Offered in a range of sizes, to accommodate solo travelers, couples or families, the ATS will be controlled by an app. Travelers will "select the start and end points of their journeys and can add stopping off points such as gyms and restaurants," says Lee. "The system will work out the best route." In Lee's vision, the vehicles will be operated by a chain of "Autonomous Hotels" that provide critical on-the-road services including vehicle maintenance, water provision and waste removal. Travelers can choose to dock their ATS into a static "parent suite" to form an integrated unit offering overnight stays and use of shared amenities such as swimming pools, gyms, restaurants and meeting rooms. Lee is currently talking to automakers about how best to power the ATS. If the suites are electric, they will be supported by service vehicles that replace their batteries when the juice is running low. Hydrogen-fueled vehicles are another option. Although the technology is less developed, it offers the potential for a longer driving range between pit stops. So when can travelers hope to try out the mobile hotel experience? It is predicted that in the US, carmakers will be capable of producing fully self-driving vehicles by 2021, but the built infrastructure necessary to deploy them on the public road system will not be in place for at least a decade. Lee says that his creation is likely to first hit the roads in East and West coast cities in the US, where the infrastructure will be completed soonest, and points to a cluster of cities including New York, Pittsburgh, Boston and Washington DC which "all fall into the six-to-ten-hour driving range," as possible candidates for early adoption. He believes that as a customized, comfortable and time-efficient form of transport, the ATS will be well-positioned to replace domestic air travel -- eliminating the necessity to wait in line at check in, make multiple transport transfers and lug heavy suitcases around. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |