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Will your next holiday be in a flying glass pod?
Drone-operated hotel rooms could allow you to roam the Serengeti or hover over the Grand Canyon
A futuristic hotel concept that promises to transform the way we travel by offering guests unrivalled access to some the most remote and beautiful parts of the world was recently unveiled in Canada.
"It used to be that guests associated hotels with a physical address: a static, brick-and-mortar establishment to which they could always return," says CNN Travel. "That concept is becoming outmoded."
The new drone-operated system, known as Driftscape, was pioneered by the global architectural firm Hok and made it to the finals of this year's Radical Innovation Award, which rewards forward-thinking hotel designs.
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The individual pods have polymer walls and a lightweight structural system containing aerospace alloys, and offer guests 360-degree views of their surroundings, according to Dezeen magazine.
The 205 square feet unit includes a double bed, adjustable side tables and lounger, as well as a sink, shower and toilet. It would be linked to a larger unit (2,500sqm) with support services and amenities.
Designers say the structures can be transported anywhere in the world and have minimal to no impact on the environment, enabling travellers to experience a pre-selected excursion of their choice.
"The Driftscape hotel allows guests to experience breath-taking locales from the comfort of their personal Driftcraft," say the design team in Toronto. "Roam the plains of the Serengeti, hover over the Grand Canyon or drift through the Pearl Waterfall in China."
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Though a tangible Driftscape model doesn't yet exist, the idea could soon become a reality, according to Forbes magazine. "From the research we conducted, it seems the technology is already available in some form," the company said.
