UC Berkeley × NASA Ames - Autonomous Pod Network

Client

UC Berkeley × NASA Ames Research Center

Role

Urban Planner + Concept Designer

Year

2024

Timeline

6 Months

Type

Transit Design Proposal

Approach

Rider interviews → route analysis → pod + cabin concept

Tools - Illustrator + Figma

A driverless 35-mile corridor between UC Berkeley and NASA Ames - cutting a two-hour multi-transfer commute to a 40-minute productive ride on zero-emission autonomous pods.

UC Berkeley and NASA Ames Research Center are separated by 35 miles - a journey that currently takes up to two hours via public transit, requiring multiple transfers and offering no ability to work en route. This proposal reimagines that corridor as a dedicated Autonomous Electric Pod Network: a direct, driverless connection between the two campuses that cuts travel time to 40 minutes while turning commute time into productive time. Developed through rider interviews, route analysis, and transit case study research, the proposal prioritizes speed, sustainability, and comfort - with onboard WiFi, charging stations, and zero emissions as core design requirements.

Corridor

35 mi

New travel time

40 min

Current travel time

2 hr

Tailpipe emissions

0