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Some may argue that half the thrill of travel is in the way you get there. Or in the case of a superyacht, being on the luxury craft is the whole thrill. Especially in the midst of a travel-halting pandemic, demand for boats and yachts have risen.
This rise in demand and the pandemic itself has forced companies to look inward and have different emphases in their designs. Quality over quantity is the familiar buzz phrase, especially with safety and sustainable prioritization.
Some of the most inventive and unique designs has come out of not just the pandemic, but also these few years of sustainable innovation following the Paris agreement. The futuristic designs of these commercial travel crafts not only look utopian, but they also likely reflect what travel technology will, and should look like.
Kurt Strand Florida Concept Yacht
At approximately 161 metres long, this superyacht designed by Norwegian, Kurt Strand, will be among the top five longest superyachts in the world. This is of course, the least of its feats – or should I say feet – as the sailing vessel will also be largely self-sufficient in energy.
This is possible due to the high-tech 80 metre tall wing sails of the Florida, which are retractable and made up of carbon fibre. Covering the sails will be the latest state of the art solar panels that in the case of the lack of wind, help the superyacht produce electric power to fuel the vessel. You would think that that is sufficient, but as a back-up to the lack of both wind and sun, are hydrogen fuel cells that run on hydrogen produced by the ship itself. The energy for hydrogen production will be from stored solar energy in the ship’s 5MW battery bank. The ability for the ship to not only run on hydrogen propulsion, but also produced its own hydrogen is quite a leap in technology of the vast majority of superyachts.
Besides the forward-looking technology, the Florida also has the luxury amenities that come with a projected to be $81million dollar Superyacht. A helipad, large swimming pool, fitness center, spa, supercar garage, cinema, and beach club with a huge selection of tender boats, off-road vehicles, jet skis and water toys. The interior is in coastal Florida Keys style, floors and carpentry are made of reclaimed wood, furniture out of recycled plastics and vegan leather. A relatively guilt free luxury superyacht it would be once it is manufactured by 2026.
Aerion AS2
Aerion is a company focusing its attention on not just speed but also travel that does not harm our planet. These two things put together make AS2 – a supersonic business airliner that flies at 1,600 KPH (1,000 MPH) – for comparison, 150% faster than the business jets of today. It claims to be the first jet flying supersonic in history to not create a boom reaching the ground.
Their goal is luxury flight that is sustainable, committing to carbon neutral operations from flight one, and will also use 100% engineered synthetic fuels. The business jet will comprises luxury interiors with full spectrum OLED lighting, and kitchen functionality with advanced appliance suite.
An AS3 is already in the works which will be an even bigger airline with a flight speed of about 4,828 KPH (3,000 MPH). More information will be released in the later part of 2021, but for now the AS2 will begin construction in 2023.
Mr. Hunt Concept Superyacht
This explorer yacht – designed by award winning VOM Creations – took inspiration from both Mission Impossible and the SS Vega, the first yacht to voyage through the North-East passage. Its name comes from the Mission Impossible’s main protagonist Ethan Hunt, who was a spy for espionage agency Impossible Missions Force (IMF).
The yacht is 58 metres in length, meant for Artic exploration, and comprises of a sauna, library, bar, jacuzzi and an intentionally large amount of open-air space, perfect for any Tom to Cruise. While the swanky, sleek design may be a call back to a nostalgic old movie, the function is very much of the new.
On its roof spanning the 3 decks are solar panels that fuel the yacht’s interior, with a hydrogen propulsion engine pushing the vessel through the artic waters. While hydrogen in itself is still largely produced by fossil fuels, the overall carbon emission is undoubtedly decreased. Hydrogen propulsion is looking like the likely alternative for a cleaner seas future.
Talyn Evtol Aircraft
This aircraft does not require an airport. New technology is underway to allow for vertical take-off and landing thus not requiring a runway, and allowing for door to door air transport between states.
Talyn’s design is projected to have a range of 482 kilometres (300 miles) compared to most of the aircraft in the Urban Air Mobility space which have a maximum of 80 kilometres (50 miles). Up to 5 passengers will be possible on each flight.
Talyn will also be energy efficient, featuring 100% battery electric drone that will be the mode by which the plane will be vertically lifted into a determined flight zone. The aerodynamics of the craft and the relative lightness of it – due to the omitting of the usual rotors and structures – will allow for a flight speed 4 times faster than normal commuter flights, and 3-5 times farther than competitors.
