TRAVEL INNOVATIONS.

We’ll go anywhere on a train. It doesn’t matter how far. The comfort, the stress free check-in and ability to get boat loads of work done make it worthwhile. Sounds crazy? We know, but it’s the truth. Luckily, this is something airlines are starting to realize. It’s a slow process but they’re coming around. The more they help us forget about the stresses of travel, the better off everyone is. Give us wifi, free meals, and a comfortable lounge (see Porter) and they’ll see more and more passengers become a charming, happy and empathetic bunch. Proof of this comes by way of Air New Zealand.

As reported by Gizmodo: “When you’re flying 90 odd-hrs just to get to Auckland, you’d be wanting to charge your iPod or laptop at least once. Air New Zealand’s done a major overhaul of its Boeing 777 plane, with sockets and USB ports galore. It’s not just for the suit-clad first class and business class passengers either. 11 Skycouches that turn into flat beds for two will make those weeks in the air fly past quickly, with the other seats providing extra leg room and comfort.” Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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This is one of those ideas, where you think – why hasn’t it been done already? While we enjoy watching movies on our ipods, iphones etc., these devices work better when used for short periods of time. For instance, if you have a long haul flight for 8-10 hours you want a large screen to view your content. Recently Panasonic developed a new inflight system that allows you to access your iPod content and view it on a large display unit.

According to Panasonic: “iPod merge is not just a connector for the iPod, but gives you full access to your iPod multimedia content—including music and images—using a dedicated user interface integrated in their inflight entertainment system.” Also, as pictured above, you can connect your camera and other storage devices for viewable content. So far the Inflight system can be found in Singapore, United, Avianca, Air New Zealand, and Swiss Carriers. Click Read More for additional information. [via Gizmodo]

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Although we’re unsure about the validity of this project – we wanted to report on it anyway because the concept is interesting. When we envision the future we imagine things like this. The Hotelicopter is a converted soviet-made Mil V-12. While many of the airline carriers are super sizing their jets to create more comfortable accomodations, the Hotelicopter presents something a little more committed to the idea of sleeping & relaxing while flying.

As reported by their website: “The Hotelicopter features 18 luxuriously-appointed rooms for adrenaline junkies seeking a truly unique and memorable travel experience. Each soundproofed room is equipped with a queen-sized bed, fine linens, a mini-bar, coffee machine, wireless internet access, and all the luxurious appointments you’d expect from a flying five star hotel. Room service is available one hour after liftoff and prior to landing.” Click Read More for additional information, photos and a video.

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As kids we’ve all experienced the disappointment and wonderment of letting go of a balloon. First, the sadness of never seeing your balloon again. Second, the curiosity of watching it rise and wondering how high in the sky it will go. Well, a few genius kids created a massive balloon and attached a camera that sent back photos from the trip. Now that’s a science project.

As Gizmodo reports: “Using a $77 Nikon Coolpix and a $60 latex balloon filled with helium, a team of teenage students captured these remarkable shots from 20 miles above the Earth’s surface. Radio-synced to Google Earth, the team tracked the package as it soared 885 feet per minute into the sky, taking shots on a periodic timer. The balloon eventually failed around 100,000 feet before the system parachuted to the ground.” Click Read More for additional information and photos of the experiment.

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PSFK continues to forge ahead with their deeply inspiring line-up of conferences. They keep it simple, conversational and most importantly human – one speaker with a few slides discussing his/her idea in a very approachable way. We particularly enjoyed their recent posting of Charles Ogilvie’s presentation on the development of Virgin America’s in-flight entertainment system.

From their site: “At the PSFK Conference Asia 2008, Charles Ogilvie (Panasonic), Creative Designer and Inventor of RED, the award winning in-flight entertainment system for Virgin America, speaks about service innovation, new revenue models, and the use of airborne technology throughout Asia and the world at large.” Click Read More to watch Ogilvie’s presentation. Also don’t forget to get PSFK’s latest publication Good Ideas in 2009.

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We’re always on the hunt for travel innovations and other design inspiration. Naturally we were pleased to find Wallpaper* Mag’s 2009 Graduate Directory. As they succinctly put it, “From artists to architects, photographers to foodies, fashion and graphic designers to perfumers, illustrators and travel gurus, here’s Wallpaper’s annual global graduate directory.” They’ve collected the upcoming raw and revolutionary minds that will be engaging the world in their respective creative fields. Be sure to check it out.

We particularly found Christian Susana’s work compelling (pictured above). The futuristic camper redefines its genre. Named Colim which stands for Colors of Life in Motion, the camper features a detachable car taking the idea of home mobility to new heights. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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Electric? Water? How about air? MDI’s Air Pod looks like something from a Wii Video Game but for the last twenty years their CEO, Guy Negre, has worked tirelessly to develop vehicles that run on compressed air. According to Wired and Gizmodo, he’s convinced a European airline to use his pods to transport passengers around airports in France and Amsterdam.

As reported: “The AirPod carries four people in a vehicle that is about 6 feet long and weighs roughly 450 pounds. Its single-piston engine is driven by compressed air. The tank holds 175 liters of compressed air, according to Zero Pollution Motors, and can be filled to 350 bar (5,076 psi!) in as little as 90 seconds. That’s enough to give the AirPod a range of about 135 miles and a top speed of 43 mph.” If MDI can land a licensing agreement, they’re hoping to develop more pods for mass production by 2010. However, they’ve got a lot of showing and proving to do before they reach that point. It appears they’re many skeptics, but then again isn’t that a requirement for most ground breaking innovations. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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