Shweeb monorail

The project was developed alongside Expedition Engineering and Sebastian Conran Associates. The team created a comprehensive concept that considered the functional, mechanical, structural, and aesthetic rudiments of the Shweeb – culminating in a full-scale working prototype.

A final scheme rendered and modelled the Shweeb stations alongside a 3D printed pod and rail study, with the materiality of the pods reflecting Google’s brand and colours.

The concept for Shweeb – that of humanpowered monorail pods – was originally conceived by the city of Rotorua in New Zealand. When Google selected the idea in 2010 as part of Project 10^100, Richard worked alongside Expedition to develop the concept into a sleek monorail system that could be placed on the Google Campus.

Project details

Client:
Google

Location:
London, California

Categories:
Concept, Design, Prototype

Timeline:
2012 — 2013

Our goal was to introduce a new mobility option for Google’s employees and guests, creating a pilot project that could later be extended into an urban environment. With that in mind, we sought to define an active, battery-assisted, and environmentally sensitive mode of transportation.

We began by developing a feasibility study that looked at different commercial mobility vehicles, pedal poweredsystems, and hybrid battery technology. We then developed a series of one-to-one prototypes to explore the pod’s structural form and materiality. The stationary mechanical prototype considered peoplecentric

ergonomics and comfort, and helped us arrive at the dual carriage design. Smaller model studies examined the mechanics of the rail and monorail systems as well as the pod’s drive motors. Further 3D prints helped refine the slick,elegant pod design and transport system.

The pod was developed alongside Tom Pearce and Sebastian Conran Associates, and the final design featured organic, orb-like pods that could each transport two people. Expedition also devised a hybrid system by which battery power would assist passengers where necessary in order to maintain speed and pod sequence through the circular stations.

All of this work came together in a fullscale prototype that outlined both the functionality and user experience of the pod. Additionally, we developed the macro programming for the pod sequencing, and proposed a campus plan that included two stations. The pedal and batterypowered monorail was to be the first of its kind in the corporate mobility space.