The Futureproof Series.
Postcards
From the Future.
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Futureproof Series
Postcards From the Future
As part of designbivouac’s Futureproof Series, this collection offers a set of visual explorations and concise narratives designed to spark conversation, challenge assumptions, and inspire strategic thinking about what lies ahead.
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
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Methodology
Futurecasting is a creative process where designers explore various social, cultural, economic, political, and ecological factors to envision potential futures. Rather than predicting the future with certainty, futurecasting focuses on imagining possible and preferable scenarios that inform long-term strategies. It helps businesses understand the forces shaping the future, anticipate changes, and create proactive strategies. Preferable futures align technology with human needs while ensuring sustainability from a planetary perspective.
“The best way to predict the future is to design it.”
Frameworks
The Futureproof: Postcards From the Future series draws on frameworks, such as Joseph Voros’s Futures Cone and backcasting, to guide its exploration. By working backward from a desirable future state to our current reality, backcasting helps identify the necessary conditions to achieve a preferred vision. The aim is to encourage thoughtful consideration of our shared future and inspire active participation in shaping it.
Visual and Narrative Approach
The series' visual approach integrates AI tools into the creative process, blending visuals with written narratives that evolve organically as each postcard from the future takes form. The series is designed to inspire deeper reflection on the necessary actions to make our collective preferred future a reality.
Clearing the Wreckage of War
The war in Ukraine was brutal for all involved. For many years, war wreckage covered vast regions of the country. Mines and unexploded ordnance rendered large swaths of land unusable. Much of Europe’s breadbasket lay dormant. Enter the Weyland Heavy Industries Collassal Landmine Equipment and Armamament Removal (CLEAR) platforms.
Future Narrative
The war in Ukraine was brutal for all involved. For many years, war wreckage covered vast regions of the country. Mines and unexploded ordnance rendered large swaths of land unusable. Much of Europe’s breadbasket lay dormant. Enter the Weyland Heavy Industries Colossal Landmine Equipment and Armament Removal (CLEAR) platforms.
A Weyland Heavy Industries CLEAR platform stands ready to slice and shed an abandoned tank in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
While many knew the cost of rebuilding Ukraine would be high, few grasped the daunting scale of what it would take to make Ukraine ready for reconstruction. Weyland Heavy Industries was one of the first to understand the scope of the challenge. Remarkably, just 18 months after proposing the CLEAR platforms, the company had three prototype units actively clearing former battlefields in Ukraine.
The massive CLEAR mobile recycling platforms shredded and smelted main battle tanks and other military vehicles densely strewn across Ukraine. Minefields and unexploded ordinance were also cleared, likely saving tens of thousands of civilians. Ten nuclear-powered behemoths restored most former battlefields in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk Oblast within four years of the program's introduction. Paradoxically, CLEAR platforms left behind what appeared to be an apocalyptic landscape, but the land was safe for Ukraine’s skilled farmers to transform into productive farmland again.
Weyland Heavy Industries applied its large-scale marine manufacturing processes to produce the mega-scale CLEAR vehicles. The battlefield clearing program positioned the company in a favorable light. Once decommissioned from battlefield clearing, the massive CLEAR machines were repurposed, providing power for small—to medium-sized cities. This proved profitable since Weyland Heavy Industries was given rights to all materials salvaged from the battlefield.
The knowledge gained from the program led to the company producing fleets of autonomous mega-combines that productively roamed the same once-scarred landscape—and ultimately, the company’s large-scale future terraforming equipment destined for Mars.
Early Signals
Recycling efforts are upscaling to recover precious resources.
VTN Scrap Shear C1700
VZ-950 Universal Shredder
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: The Lunar Grid
As we continue to extend our areas of exploration on the lunar surface, we have come to rely on grid pods as an extended safety envelope when away from one of our main facilities. Grid pods, placed at one-mile intervals, ensure that teams are never far away from essential life support systems, supplies, and a place to repair equipment or recuperate and recharge.
Future Narrative
As we continue to expand our reach across the lunar surface, grid pods have become an essential part of our operational strategy. They serve as an extended safety envelope for crews venturing beyond the main base facilities. Strategically placed at one-mile intervals, these compact yet robust outposts ensure that they are never far from critical resources no matter where a team operates.
The Nordic-USA Lunar Grid Pod exemplifies all the advanced learning gained through extensive research in extreme Arctic conditions. It is one of the most reliable and capable modules on the Sea of Tranquility.
Before the grid pods were in place, working in the expanding areas of exploration was a stressful experience. Last year, we began repurposing sections of supply rockets that were being taken out of fleet service to use as grid pod shelters. These days, knowing that there are a few within a mile of our workplace is comforting. Given the diversity of nations involved in lunar exploration, the pods are a bit of a mishmash, but that gives them a certain charm. Some even enjoy taking a break from base operations and the relative solitude of grid pod maintenance duty.
Each grid pod is equipped with life support systems, emergency supplies, communication relays, and basic repair tools, creating a dependable network of safety and sustainability across challenging terrain. They also serve as havens for astronauts to recuperate, recharge, and regroup, whether after long extravehicular activities or during unexpected delays.
Beyond their practical function, grid pods represent a broader philosophy of lunar exploration—resilience through redundancy, and mobility through modular design. As our operations scale and lunar missions become more complex, this grid system provides the security and flexibility needed to thrive in the harshest environment humans have ever called home.
One of the original rocket module to Lunar Grid Pod conversions, Pod A-3 remains a familiar and comforting site after a long day on the Sea of Tranquility.
The Sea of Tranquility’s D-2 site comprises several Lunar Grid Pods. It is the first site to connect retired rocket modules to create different types of zones. Several living habitats and vehicle maintenance pod modules are available at the site.
Lunar Grid Pod C-3 was the first dual-use pod with a pressurized habitat module and an unpressurized service bay.
Japan’s D-8 dual-use Lunar Grid Pod has a safety habitat and an optionally pressurized and external service bay.
The elegant D-4 international Lunar Grid Pod is appreciated for its large window views and expansive interior. It also has the best espresso.
After many years of faithful service, the original Alpha-1 Lunar Grid Pod is still functioning. Now dependent upon the Sea of Tranquility’s Kennedy Base Station for power, it is a few meters from the south entrance. Steeped in history and character, it has remained a favorite across generations of lunar explorers.
Technology
Lunar Grid Pods utilize repurposed sections of retired rockets. Provisions for pressurization, power, environmental controls, and supplies are all fitted, giving the rocket sections a valued second life on the lunar surface.
Signals
Necessity and access often drive innovation in remote locations here on Earth. Harsh conditions on the Lunar surface will likewise necessitate that resources be utilized in various ways, perhaps seeing uses in many forms across many lifetimes, thus increasing the sustainable nature of Lunar exploration.
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Autonomous Grocery Module
These autonomous grocery modules always feature the week's best deals. Some keep items cool, while others keep pre-prepared meals warm. I’ve seen them used for special events like concerts, conferences, and pop-up stores. The slide-down side panels keep things in place and at temperature while in transit.
Future Narrative
These autonomous grocery modules always feature the week's best deals. Some keep items cool, while others keep pre-prepared meals warm. I’ve seen them used for special events, such as concerts, conferences, and pop-up stores. The slide-down side panels keep items in place and at the correct temperature while in transit. When placed outdoors, the slide-out solar panels up top keep things shaded while topping off the battery pack. Two fit side by side in a delivery van and are motorized, making ramp loading a breeze.
Technology
Motorized, battery-powered grocery module with supplementary solar panel charging.
Recycled automotive battery packs in the base move the module and cool or warm products.
Implications
Stores can utilize fleets of autonomous grocery modules located in the back of stores to automate grocery stocking. These modules benefit from a direct connection from the back-of-store warehouses to delivery vehicles and onward to customer sites with maximum efficiency.
Delivery services providing warm, cool, and bulk items can better serve pop-up stores and venues.
Modular flexibility enables stores to maintain high stock levels of high-volume products.
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Next-Gen Jalopies
Improving the performance of that first car has been a time-honored tradition amongst auto enthusiasts. What does the future hold for weekend garage projects as we move into the new era of electric-powered automobility? Will the focus be on power, efficiency, torque, range extension, or perhaps all of the above? And with the right to repair access disputed by some electric vehicle manufacturers, will this even be possible? What does safe electric vehicle modification look like in the 21st century?
Future Narrative
It finally happened. I got my first car! Working with Dad on it last Saturday was great. We audited all the electronics and created an upgrade plan together. That was half the fun. The range is significantly lower now, considering this vehicle is a 2021 model with 274,000 miles on the odometer. Mechanically, it is sound. The body is in great shape and has a wrap on it, so the paint looks amazing. Still, we’ve got to do something about the range. While we are at it, I would love to boost the power.
Deak and Dan Jardigan are among a growing number of families worldwide who are learning how to maintain and modify electric vehicles at home safely.
The prior owner had planned to donate the battery pack to the Second Life Auxiliary Battery (SLAB) program, repurposing it as a home energy backup battery. Dad and I have some other ideas. I am looking forward to this project. It makes the things I learned in my electronics class much more relevant and tangible.
In March, we installed a Stage 1 Tesla Performance Enhancement Pack (PEP Pack), which restored the vehicle's original range.
We added the FLUX Performance Enhancement Pack (Grey Market PEP Pack) in August, dramatically enhancing acceleration.
A Tesla FLUX (Functional Line Upgrade-X) vehicle modification safety interface module is shown. This product has proven to be a gateway for next-generation electric vehicle modifiers.
Implications
Improving the performance of that first car has been a time-honored tradition amongst auto enthusiasts. What does the future hold for weekend garage projects as we move into the new era of electric-powered automobility? Will the focus be on power, efficiency, torque, range extension, or perhaps all of the above? And with the right to repair access disputed by some electric vehicle manufacturers, will this even be possible? What does safe electric vehicle modification look like in the 21st century? What do OEM and third-party aftermarkets for electric vehicles look like? Will it be a spin-off SEMA community or be more like a new “home-brew” type of group from the early days when Jobs and Wozniak worked together?
Related Links
www.unpluggedperformance.com/
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Engineered Forests of the Future
I suppose they have a beauty of their own, but it has taken a while to get used to them. These square-column trees were introduced in Scandinavia about a decade ago to maximize sustainable forest material output. Their shape has been bioengineered to maximize transport efficiency to mills and reduce the milling needed to produce lumber products.
Future Narrative
I suppose they have a beauty all their own, but it has taken a while to get used to them. These square and rectangular-column trees were introduced in Sweden about a decade ago to maximize sustainable forest output. Their shape has been bioengineered to maximize transport efficiency and reduce the milling needed to produce core hardwood lumber products. While a quarantine on squared trees is in effect, and their use is currently limited to Sweden, Finland, and Norway, one wonders if that will last.
Columnar trees increase the volume of usable hardwood forest material
A mixed load of squared and rectangular trees maximizes the loadout of autonomous logging rigs.
Autonomous logging rig scans products for flaws and then begins the wood curing process while en route to mill.
Technology
While trees vary dramatically from fruits, selective seeding of a few engineered forests has resulted in the growth of square and rectangular columnar trees. Favored by today’s largest furniture manufacturers, the new bioengineered Squared Timber™ line of lumber products increases the usable hardwood of a log by as much as twenty-seven percent.
Implications
How far are we prepared to go to optimize the natural world around us for our needs, and what could the unintended consequences of such actions be?
Related Concepts and Research
Here's what fruits and vegetables looked like before we domesticated them
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.