Bubblic Public, a self-driving public transportation vehicle tailored to user needs and inspired by bubbles, can be seen as a versatile vehicle on the road.
Designed by Move Lab and the research team from ID+IM Laboratory in South Korea, Bubblic Public can transport passengers, goods, and various other items such as mobile smart farms, as reported by Design Boom on July 22.
Simulation of a bubble-shaped self-driving vehicle on the road. (Photo: Move Lab).
Similar to a bubble, Bubblic Public can adapt to serve various users in diverse environments as needed. The interior and exterior of the vehicle are also flexible. Modular blocks form the cabin, allowing for easy conversion from bench seating for passengers to trays for transporting plants and goods.
Bubblic Public’s chassis is inspired by bamboo and self-inflating airbags referred to as “bubbles.” Consequently, Move Lab has designed the vehicle’s frame with rounded corners. The self-inflating bubbles are made from thermoplastic materials. Their detachable nature allows for easy replacement if damaged or requiring maintenance. The design team also plans to install bubbles around areas of user contact, such as vehicle walls and seat cushions.
This design ensures that the bubbles can provide comfort and protection. The vehicle manager or anyone overseeing the operation can also rearrange the seating layout internally using a layout board on the floor. Bubblic Public also has an app that allows users to carpool or hop onto the nearest available vehicle.
According to Move Lab, Bubblic Public will operate on regular roads alongside cars and other vehicles. The design team stated that it does not require specialized infrastructure and will not disrupt the existing system. The modular blocks facilitate easy maintenance, while the chassis can be expanded and modified flexibly to meet needs. The vehicle also has entry and exit points at the front and rear, and even on both sides of the bubble. These entry points open at stops when the air suspension lowers the vehicle and the steps extend outward. They can accommodate wheelchair users, cyclists, and other wheeled vehicles.
When the vehicle needs to transport goods and packages, the seats inside can be folded aside to make room for alternative arrangements like cabinets and shelves. As a self-driving vehicle, its technology uses zoning to detect where users are standing, drive to that location, and pick them up. Move Lab is confident that Bubblic Public will be more flexible, multifunctional, and sustainable than current public transportation options.
