Peugeot goes underwater
Peugeot has announced a collaboration with the Under The Pole research programme on the Capsule II project, a next-generation habitable module scheduled for launch in 2026. The partnership aims to improve ergonomics, durability of materials and communication systems, as well as the comfort and safety of scientists.
Here's What We Know
The Under The Pole programme was founded in 2008 in Concarneau, France by Ghislain Bardout and Emmanuelle Périé-Bardout. The current version of the capsule (pictured in the gallery below), used as temporary underwater housing, allows scientists to stay underwater for up to three days. Panoramic portholes provide a view for observing marine organisms and studying ecological processes. Despite its clever layout to maximise space utilisation, the Capsule II project is said to be in need of further development.
As part of the new project, Peugeot and design studio Stellantis will optimise the interior of the future capsule and improve the living and working environment inside. Thanks to the brand's expertise in creating the i-Cockpit automotive interior concept, the collaboration will focus on the following areas:
- optimisation of working areas;
- a new ergonomic interior design tailored to the tasks of the various research missions, with a focus on improving comfort and efficiency;
- selection of new materials that are more durable and pleasant to the touch;
- integration of technical units, including communication systems, screens and communication elements.
The collaborative work will run from May 2025 until the summer of 2026, which is when Capsule II is scheduled to launch. During this time, the plan is to evaluate the current Capsule experience, identify priority improvement points, select and approve the final interior concept, and then move on to its 3D modelling, physical layout, engineering and production, taking into account the proposals of Peugeot and Stellantis Design Studio.
Source: Peugeot
