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.
Next-Generation Disaster Response Fleets
As the impact of natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes has increased over the last twenty years, a new breed of disaster response fleet vehicles has emerged to aid initial and long-term recovery efforts.
Future Narrative
Over the past two decades, the escalating impact of natural disasters—including wildfires, floods, and hurricanes—has driven the development of a new generation of disaster response fleet vehicles. Designed to support immediate relief and long-term recovery, these specialized vehicles are equipped with advanced technologies, modular systems, and rugged adaptability, enabling them to navigate unstable terrain and rapidly changing conditions. Their emergence marks a pivotal shift in emergency preparedness, enabling faster deployment, greater self-sufficiency, and more resilient support for affected communities in the wake of increasingly severe climate events.
Weyland Mobile Utility Light Emergency (MULEs) vehicles at work during the Great Missouri flood.
The fires and storms of the 2020s revealed the limitations of conventional first responder equipment. Existing fleets often had vehicles too large to navigate the rubble, debris, and newly defined urban and natural topography after events. Unable to reach those in need, new, heavy-lift capable drones, like those used in extreme environments like Mount Everest, were produced in greater numbers for a broader range of tasks. Search and micro-transport drones also facilitated aerial grid searching and delivery of sustainment items to those impacted by natural disasters. First responders determined they needed more flexible vehicles to accommodate conditions in damaged urban and wilderness areas.
Weyland Compact Reconnaissance Autonomous Base (CRABs) are often the initial first response vehicle deployed due to their size and nimbleness. They always travel in pairs, watching out for one another.
Weyland Industries was the first to respond with three complementary disaster relief and recovery vehicles. Weyland introduced the autonomous Compact Reconnaissance Autonomous Base (CRAB) to provide an agile initial reconnaissance response. Autonomous CRAB vehicles map the destruction of natural disasters and search for those in need. CRABs can roll over prepared or gravel surfaces or walk like their namesake, giving them unparalleled mobility over rough terrain and rubble. As a result of their small size and agility, CRABs are often the first "Walk-in" resource in disaster areas. Deployed in large numbers, their initial surveys inform master response plans. For safety, CRABs travel in pairs, allowing the lead unit to be recovered should they encounter challenges that cannot be overcome. Once other resources are in place, CRABs can serve as microgrids for power and communication, providing services for several days.
Weyland Industries’ Mobile Utility Light Emergency (MULE) vehicles are an upsized version of CRAB vehicles. They can carry more supplies and equipment and clear debris using various attachments. They work in concert with heavy-lift drones to extend search and rescue areas or deliver much-needed supplies during the initial days after a disaster strikes. MULEs can be equipped with many attachments and open initial rescue and supply routes through impacted regions.
Weyland BULLs arrive to provide supplies, road clearing capability, power, and purified water to a community in need just after hurricane Karen.
A third vehicle provided by Weyland Industries rounds out many first responder units today. Basic Utility Logistics and Life Sustainment (BULLS) units provide extended power and more comprehensive community communications capabilities over extended recovery phases. While each autonomous unit can deliver emergency supplies and ferry wounded to base camps, some specialized units provide power or purified water supplies for weeks.
Weyland’s fleets of CRABS, MULES, and BULLS disaster response vehicles have become a welcome sight worldwide during times of deep human need.
Early Signals
In 2019, Hyundai Motors explored a range of vehicles featuring articulating legs and rotary motors with wheels, as part of its Elevate concept. Read more about it here.
Dannar Industries is providing battery-powered vehicles capable of providing distributed power and carrying out a variety of construction-related tasks.
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Cleaning Up Everest
Well, it has taken over a decade, but we now have a handle on the trash that once covered Mt. Everest's climbing routes and basecamps. As the number of climbers increased in the 2020s, the trash challenge on the mountain seemed unsurmountable.
Future Narrative
Well, it has taken over a decade, but we now have a handle on the trash that once covered the climbing routes and base camps of Mt. Everest. As the number of climbers increased in the 2020s, the trash challenge on the mountain seemed insurmountable. Then, governments limited the number of climbers per year. Permitted climbers were required to carry 2 kilograms of trash to established facilities below the mountain and pay a new fee for prototyping a trash sorting, recycling, and drone-based trash “down lift” program.
Initial prototyping of drone-based trash collection was scrappy and rudimentary. The Everest Waste Management took steps to ensure that drones would not shred trash bundles during flight or upon landing. The Apex Lifting Prototype 01 tested and proved all end-to-end service touchpoints during three peak climbing seasons. Drone lifting limits and flight operations guidelines were established, including rules for various weather conditions. Altitude limits and expected route distances were also met for different temperature conditions.
Everest Waste Management applied learnings to shape the second drone fleet. Working with Weyland Industries, two versions of drones with eight lifting rotors were developed, making up a fleet of 14. The new fleet featured a more robust and efficient cargo packaging and attachment system, capable of accommodating compressed trash bundles and resupply packages. Two-way routing involving flying supplies over the treacherous glacial field or to climbers in need further up the mountain, and removing trash on the return leg, was also made possible.
System 2.0 drones use an improved attachment system and carry dedicated trash compression cargo bags, and can provide supplies to climbers in need on the mountain.
This year, the Everest Drone Service, a subsidiary of Everest Waste Management, is experimenting with two rescue drones capable of lifting climbers off the mountain's highest point in favorable weather conditions. In addition to being able to send supplies to climbers in need, this will provide an extra layer of support to those taking on the challenge of summiting the mountain.
Expanding the emergency services tent at Basecamp has further enhanced climber safety. During overcast days, Weyland micro incinerators process a small amount of trash, providing power to make up for what solar panels would otherwise provide.
The emergency services tent at base camp is powered by solar and micro incinerator units, bringing modern emergency care closer to climbers in need. The waste management and logistics support tent at base camp is also equipped with solar and micro-incinerator power to ensure that Everest Waste Management and Everest Drone Services are up and running as needed.
Implications
As drones remove trash on Mount Everest, the potential for aerial noise pollution increases.
Having drone-based supply and emergency rescue services as a safety net may diminish the significance of summiting Mount Everest for individuals.
Downmountain recycling and waste management services must be implemented to handle incoming trash.
Rescue drones increase the safety margin for climbers on the mountain and don’t put helicopter pilots at risk.
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Westie Rescue Team Members
Hi. I’m Buster. Since our translator-enhanced training took place, I now relate to my trainers at an entirely new level. It feels so good to have an even richer bond with them. I am proud they believe in me enough to let me go into dangerous places to help save their friends.
Future Narrative
Hi. I’m Buster. Since our translator-enhanced training took place, I now relate to my trainers at an entirely new level. It feels wonderful to have an even deeper bond with them. I am proud they believe in me enough to let me go into dangerous places to help save their friends. People have been so good to me. I want to do good work for them. Digging and tunneling perfectly align with my breed heritage, so it’s a lot of fun most of the time. This new kit protects me and allows me to bring things to people in tight spaces. My trainer always has my back, literally. I use a rope attached to me and carry an air supply hose to people who need it, which I can use as well.
Buster is a highly decorated member of California’s vaunted Earthquake Rapid Response Team and is credited with saving over 300 lives.
Biology
West Highland Terriers, affectionately known as Westies, possess unique qualities that make them exceptionally well-suited for search and rescue operations in earthquake-stricken areas. Their compact size and agility are invaluable in navigating the challenging terrain of collapsed buildings and rubble. While larger breeds may struggle to maneuver in tight spaces, Westies can effortlessly weave through debris, accessing areas that would otherwise be inaccessible to rescuers. This ability to easily traverse precarious environments increases the chances of locating survivors trapped beneath the wreckage.
West Highland Terriers are known for unwavering determination and tenacity. Once they catch the scent of a trapped individual, they exhibit relentless perseverance in their search efforts. Their boundless energy and enthusiasm drive them to tirelessly scour through the rubble, undeterred by the chaos and devastation surrounding them. This innate drive to help and refusal to give up, even in the face of adversity, make them invaluable allies for rescue teams working against the clock to save lives.
Westies possess heightened senses, enhancing their effectiveness in search and rescue missions. Their acute sense of smell enables them to detect human scent amidst the chaos of disaster sites, even when it is faint or buried beneath layers of debris. Additionally, their sharp hearing enables them to pinpoint sounds that may indicate signs of life beneath the rubble, aiding in the location of survivors. These enhanced senses, coupled with their intelligence and trainability, equip West Highland Terriers to excel in locating and rescuing individuals trapped in the aftermath of earthquakes.
Technology
New AI-driven translators have further enhanced the ability of Westies and their Trainers to communicate, further strengthening their bond and the effectiveness of their partnership in disaster zones.
A carbon-fiber embedded protective suit with a thermal protection layer helps protect Westies from sharp debris and thermal extremes.
Rescue Westies carry air, hydration, communication, and recovery lines into caverns, which Westies can also use to replenish themselves during rescue operations.
K-9 rescue suites integrate lighting and pockets that contain communication equipment and medical supplies.
Seeing the face of a West Highland Terrier during times of distress can help calm victims and enhance their chances of survival.
Implications
What new occupations and contexts will they thrive in as we grow our bonds and communication capabilities with K-9 friends?
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Autonomous Water Rescue Craft
We finally received the first of five autonomous water rescue craft last month. Since then, three people have been saved from rip tides. These craft use an array of sensors to locate swimmers in distress. Once identified, the craft approach and the two vertical motors up front dip the hinged netted rescue area below swimmers.
Future Narrative
We finally received the first of five autonomous water rescue craft last month. Since then, three people have been saved from rip tides. These crafts use an array of sensors to locate swimmers in distress. Once identified, the craft approaches and the two vertical motors up front lower the hinged, netted rescue area below swimmers. Swimmers are gently lifted above the water and settle securely on the safety netting for transport back to shore. Affectionately referred to as “Swoop and Scoops,” these crafts now provide an ever-present additional safety response along our shoreline.
Some municipalities use autonomous water rescue rafts in concert with larger craft when more than one swimmer is distressed. These smaller craft, designed with a partial submersion front motor, are typically deployed in smoother bodies of water or beyond wave breaks. They can also help patrol larger public beach areas more efficiently.
Technology
Sensors and Detection Systems: Autonomous aquatic rescue vehicles integrate various sensors, including sonar, cameras, and thermal imaging technology. These sensors enable the vessel to detect and locate distressed individuals, even in low-visibility conditions.
Communication Capabilities: The communication systems of these waterborne vehicles enable them to extend radio coverage and establish connections with rescue teams or individuals in need of assistance. They can relay vital information, provide reassurance, and coordinate rescue efforts seamlessly.
Payload and Rescue Mechanisms: Autonomous aquatic rescue vehicles carry essential supplies, including life preservers, first aid kits, and automated defibrillators. They can deliver these to distressed ships close to shore. Some have built-in mechanisms for towing or lifting individuals out of the water.
Efficiency and Speed: These rescue vehicles significantly reduce response times by leveraging sensor and autonomous technology to pre-position in areas presenting the most risk to swimmers or boaters on any given day. They operate swiftly and precisely, enhancing the chances of successful rescue missions.
Adaptability and Versatility: These rescue watercraft are customized for various scenarios, from rescuing individuals stranded at sea to aiding in swift water or flood rescue operations. Their adaptability makes them valuable assets in diverse water-related emergencies.
Implications
These water rescue vehicles feature advanced autonomous navigation systems, enabling them to operate independently in water environments. They can navigate complex waterways, identify obstacles, and reach victims quickly and efficiently. Their vigilance never wanes.
They are constantly deployed and on patrol, reducing the time needed to respond to water rescue events.
Overall, autonomous aquatic rescue vehicle technology represents a game-changing innovation in enhancing water safety and emergency response capabilities.
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Ghost Recon & Rescue
Now that fusion power can be supplied via compact and lightweight equipment, new forms of mobility are popping up everywhere. Various defense forces are exploring how H.O.V.E.R. (Human Operated Vertical Equipment for Reconnaissance) technologies can help protect infantry as they conduct nearly silent patrols at extended ranges with a full equipment loadout. First responders use similar H.O.V.E.R. (Human Operated Vertical Equipment for Rescue) systems in search and rescue operations.
Future Narrative
Now that fusion power is available through compact and lightweight equipment, new forms of mobility are emerging everywhere. Advances in silent magnetic levitation are also transforming the micromobility landscape. Various defense forces are exploring how H.O.V.E.R. (Human Operated Vertical Equipment for Reconnaissance) technologies can help protect infantry as they conduct nearly silent patrols at extended ranges with a full equipment loadout.
A “virtual leash” control system ties soldiers into larger H.O.V.E.R. rigs capable of in-hover control and longer distances.
The “Follow me” virtual sled feature allows soldiers to move with more equipment or fire support.
First responders utilize similar H.O.V.E.R. (Human-Operated Vertical Equipment for Rescue) systems in search and rescue operations. These systems help searchers gain a better vantage point from which to locate those in need of rescue and make extracting them easier, safer, and more comfortable.
Search and Rescue Group 4 of Chinook County, California, temporarily uses version 2.7 of the Yutani H.O.V.E.R. system to improve its search perspective.
Search and Rescue Team 7 of Katima County, Washington, used the Weyland H1A H.O.V.E.R. prototype to “leap hover” and overcome obstacles, including stream beds.
Search and Rescue Team 2 from Baymont, California, uses the “follow me” feature of the R.O.V.E.R. (Robotic Overland Vertical Equipment for Rescue) to aid them with equipment transportation and patient extraction across rough trails.
System Benefits
The H.O.V.E.R. system enables users to overcome challenging portions of trails, urban obstacles, and small streams by activating the system and gently propelling themselves forward. In a similar fashion, trenchworks and minefields can be safely traversed. Systems from three companies are being tested to hover a typical soldier and their equipment to a maximum height of fifteen feet. Users can cover up to 30 meters with one bounding movement. A continual low-power lift function relieves users of most of the weight of their equipment.
Search and Rescue units are also testing systems. These teams benefit from similar abilities to effortlessly cross small streams or challenging portions of terrain. During searches, backcountry first responders gain a better vantage point above brush and lower forest layers. Overall, this first generation of H.O.V.E.R. systems shows great promise for reducing the physical burden users endure when carrying full combat or search and rescue loads on extended operations.
Those testing the units say it reminds them of the footage of astronauts bounding across the moon's surface, but for longer distances. Select units are testing larger rigs capable of providing hovering capabilities and directional control for small groups of linked soldiers over longer, currently classified distances.
R.O.V.E.R. (Robotic Overland Vertical Equipment for Rescue) sleds are being tested in search and rescue operations. Hover sled technology provides the sleds with 12-15 hours of constant low-level lift as they utilize a “virtual leash” feature to follow users' paths. The sleds bear the main load of the team’s equipment, increasing the endurance of search and rescue teams and the amount of territory they can search. Rescued patients are carried out of the wilderness on R.O.V.E.R. sleds, further enhancing the safety of rescue missions.
Related Links
Learn more about Gravity’s jetpack technology at www.gravity.co
Veritasium’s feature on the world’s strongest magnet
Outline of magnetic levitation and some of the most notable instances of it in mobility to date: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maglev
Learn more about the Earth’s magnetic field.
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Preventative Wildfire Seed Globes
The wildfires have been devastating over the past decade in our county. In the paper last week, I read that new wildfire seed globes will be used during this fire season. They come in various sizes and contain water and seeds of plants native to our area.
Future Narrative
New wildfire seed globes containing water, seeds of plants native to our area, and fruit to support wildlife will be used during this coming fire season. The shell is as hard as a bowling ball until exposed to light or extreme heat. After a few days, the biodegradable material breaks down naturally and becomes more like a gel. Eventually, the globes burst, depositing seeds, water, or fruit on the soil.
My friend Jesse, a hotshot in Oregon, said they used them last year. She sent me some photos of seed globes dropped by a drone near a firebreak they had prepared. They worked remarkably well, and last Spring’s new growth in the burn areas was significant. Seed globes can even be used as emergency drinking water if supplies run low for crews on the line. Overall, it is great to see new wildfire-fighting tools co-existing with the forest while providing safety for wildland firefighting crews and our communities.
Wildfire seed globes can be dropped from drones or larger aircraft to form firebreaks and slow the spread of wildfires.
Within weeks of being exposed to the sun, seed globes break down naturally to deposit water and seeds on soil.
Technology
A dense, impact-resistant, biodegradable shell encapsulating seeds and water that breaks down upon exposure to extreme heat or light over time.
Implications
New ecosensitive wildfire-fighting tools will need to be developed to counter the increasing instances of wildfires, which are exacerbated by global warming, inadequate electrical grid maintenance, and irresponsible forest management.
Related Concepts and Research
This concept is somewhat of an inverse of this idea: education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/drones-shoot-fireballs-help-control-wildfires/
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Aerial Fire Rescue
Wow! It’s been a long night! It could have been a lot worse without our new jet rescue kits. Since September 11th, 2001, companies have been striving to make skyscrapers safer.
Future Narrative
Wow! It’s been a long night! It could have been much worse without our new jet lift rescue kits. Since September 11th, 2001, companies have been striving to make skyscrapers safer. Our jet lift kits made it possible to respond to the fire tonight on the 24th floor of the Easton complex. Using our new double harness system, 13 people were safely lifted off two balconies on the structure's west side. Three were transferred directly to ambulances on the ground. The others were lifted to the roof of a building across 3rd Avenue to conserve fuel, allowing us to make more runs. I tried the toddler protective harness setup for the first time tonight, too, and it worked well.
Technology
Jet pack and double harness system can lift two people and the pilot to safety. Maximum loaded flight time of 20 minutes.
Flight controller with programmable repeatable flight path memory.
Auto return to landing zone navigation feature.
Auto object avoidance sensors.
FlyRight auto stabilization feature.
Rapid refueling valve for in-the-field refueling.
Implications
As our buildings continue to rise, what systems must we implement to ensure the safety of occupants from fire or other threats?
Early Signals of Possibility
designbivouac blog post: www.designbivouac.com/blog/defying_gravity
Learn more about Gravity’s jetpack technology at www.gravity.co
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Autonomous Rescue Crew Members
This was a bad one. After working earthquakes for 30 years worldwide, the big one hit Los Angeles this month. Thank God we had help from Danno and the other autonomous search and rescue members. Their strength is remarkable, and their sensors are invaluable. They have saved so many lives.
Future Narrative
This was a bad one. After working on earthquakes for 30 years worldwide, the big one hit Los Angeles this month. Thank God we had help from “DANNO,” or Disaster Assistant Non-Native Operator, and the other autonomous search and rescue members. Their strength is remarkable, and their sensors are invaluable. They have saved so many lives. They hear and see using acoustic, IR, thermal, and other high-resolution visual hardware. Once they find someone, it's incredible how they articulate and maneuver into small spaces to shore things up so we can reach them. DANNO has experienced five significant earthquakes. We have noticed him taking more breaks lately due to reduced on-board power stores, so the department is considering retiring him with merit. He will still be of use around our HQ, fixing vehicles and the like, and knows all our favorite recipes.
Technology
AI-enabled semi-autonomous mobility sensors, full vision camera array including thermal sensors, acoustic sensor array including heartbeat sensors, air quality measurement and alert system, onboard structural analysis AI synthesis, hydraulic lift capability, diamond blade cutter, spot fire suppression, emergency rescue comms package, and geo-positioning system.
Implications
How will human-robot partnerships evolve?
What rights will android and assistive robotic systems have?
How will these systems function in ways that are emotionally intuitive to humans, such as using body language or other non-verbal ways of communicating?
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.