Latest news with #Cheesewright
Metro
29-07-2025
- Metro
How trains could look in 2075 - from nap pods to on-board cinema screens
Napping pods, smart seats and facial recognition – this could be the future of train travel in the UK. Train travel in the UK can be a rollercoaster if you're unlucky, with passengers facing delays and cancellations. While most people just want their trains to turn up on time and cheaper tickets, journeys could offer a lot more bang for their buck in 50 years. To celebrate 200 years of modern railways, experts have created a sneak peek of what passengers can expect from their journeys in 2075. Future expert Tom Cheesewright has predicted what comforts and features trains will boast as part of an exhibition by the train operator LNERat King's Cross. These include faster journeys thanks to more aerodynamic trains, quantum computing and AI technology. Also, long gone might be traditional train carriages we are used to seeing – the future trains could be made of new, slippery composite materials inspired by sea creatures and birds. The advanced 3D printed metal would allow trains to be lighter, stronger and stiffer, and reach higher speeds with much less energy. Facial recognition could replace the pesky ticket barriers one day. The most sci-fi prediction includes robot platform pods that would pick up passengers individually between platforms for onward travel. Even passengers might have evolved – so much so that train travel might no longer be about getting from A to B, but a wellness journey instead. Cheesewright, an applied futurist and author of the report Train of the Future, said: 'Imagining train travel in 50 years means thinking about everything that will be possible, such as new technologies and innovations, but also thinking about what we will want and need from the trains of the future. 'Where possibilities and need collide, we see a fantastic vision. The train journey of the future will be smooth from start to finish, aided by AI planning, ticketless travel, and floor-to-ceiling windows. 'The train of the future will look like a science-fiction marvel: swooping and organic, powerful and quiet, and with an onboard experience that connects us to the countryside around us, or the digital world, or even a seamless combination of the two' But what changes would passengers like to see in the next half a century? More Trending On top of the list is cinema-style onboard entertainment, a LNER survey of 2,000 people shows. High up were also wellness carriages, train nap pods, pre-programmed smart seats, pet zones, self-balancing food trays, family playrooms, odourless food, an on-board concierge for destination recommendation and neurodivergent-friendly areas. Luckily, you don't need to wait for 50 years for train travel to change. The government has promised a 'shake-up' of Britain's railways as train operators are brought back into public ownership as part of the Great British Railways. The first company that was renationalised was South Wester Railway, followed by c2c. The move is set to bring more punctual services, cleaner trains and better Wifi among other perks, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said. However, so far there has been no promise of cheaper train tickets under the Great British Railways company, which is set to be up and running by 2027. You can read more about what the Great British Railways is here. Train of the Future exhibition is open 9am-5pm at London's King's Cross station from Wednesday, July 30 until Friday, August 1. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: The 'charming' London borough where house prices are falling fastest MORE: Lionesses trophy parade: England celebrate historic Euro 2025 victory in London MORE: England's Lionesses parade route and timings confirmed after Euro 2025 victory
The Irish Sun
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
New ‘trains of the future' revealed with cinema-style screens and onboard nap pods
FANCY whizzing through the countryside with 360-degree views of the landscape through glass-to-ceiling windows? Or perhaps, getting your10,000 steps in as you travel from London to Penzance? 5 Train operator LNER has predicted what the future of travel could look like in 2075 Credit: Mischief PR MHP Group 5 Passengers could expect to see 'nap pods' and onboard cinema-style screens Credit: Mischief PR MHP Group Well, these things could appear on trains in the UK in the future , according to As part of the Railway 200 celebrations, which celebrate 200 years of modern railways, LNER and applied futurist Tom Cheesewright have predicted what we could see from trains in 2075. According to Cheesewright, in 2075 train carriages will have a focus on maximum comfort, entertainment and wellness. Instead of just transporting passengers from A to B as most trains do now, train travel could be an experience that promotes passenger Read more on travel inspo As such, trains could feature floor-to-ceiling windows, with 360-degree views of the landscape. Of 2,000 people asked, 57 per cent expressed how they would like this, commenting that gazing out at the countryside is often their favourite thing to do whilst on a train. And 60 per cent said they need constant entertainment whilst travelling. As a result, carriages could feature Most read in News Travel 'Nap pods' might feature too - which 22 per cent expressed they wanted as well. Speed remains a top priority for travellers , with 66 per cent declaring this is why they opt for Most glamourous train carriage in the world revealed with disco balls, library and private tearoom Cheesewright predicts that new technologies could help trains to become faster, slashing travel times considerably. This would start by making trains more aerodynamic, with complicated things like quantum computing and AI being used together to test thousands of designs at the same time. New materials could also help, with laboratories creating 'super-stiff' composites that can be made to a specific shape. And 3D technology could be used to print metals for the trains. Cheesewright added that the customer experience of getting to and on the train could improve as well. This could include facial recognition replacing ticket barriers. 5 There could even be facial recognition instead of ticket barriers Credit: Mischief PR MHP Group 5 LNER's 'Train of the Future' will be open for people to actually visit Credit: Mischief PR MHP Group Many travellers who were asked (44 per cent) shared how sitting back and relaxing is one of the main selling points of train travel. As such, 'smart' seats could be introduced in the future - where the seats would adjust to the customers' microenvironment, with temperature options and different seat firmness levels to choose from. The seats could also pre-save customer preferences. And for those who hate to sit still, there could be the option to book a 'treadmill seat' where passengers can get their steps in on All of Cheesewright's predictions have been brought to life in a first-of-its-kind train from LNER called the 'Train of the Future'. The futuristic train will be on show at The top 10 future train advancements Brits would most like to see on trains LNER asked 2,000 people what they wanted to see on trains in the future, and here is what they said. Cinema-style onboard entertainment - 36 per cent Wellness carriages - 23 per cent On train nap pods - 22 per cent Pre-programmed smart seats - 22 per cent Pet zones - 21 per cent Self-balancing food trays - 21 per cent Family playrooms - 19 per cent Odourless food - 19 per cent Onboard concierge for destination recommendation - 16 per cent Neurodivergent-friendly areas - 16 per cent Rachel Pope, head of digital experience strategy for LNER, said: "It's a very special year for the railway industry, we're participating in nationwide festivities, including various exhibitions showcasing the impact of the railways on society and celebrating the past, present, and future of rail travel." Tom Cheesewright, applied futurist said: "The train journey of the future will be smooth from start to finish, aided by AI planning, "The train of the future will look like a science-fiction marvel: swooping and organic, powerful and quiet, and with an onboard experience that connects us to the countryside around us, or the digital world, or even a seamless combination of the two." The LNER 'Train of the Future' will be open from 9am to 5pm in London's King's Cross Station from July 30 to August 1. Railway 200 started in January and celebrates 200 years of the modern railway. Across 2025, the celebration will see a number of different events and activities for the public to get involved in. There is also a Plus, 5 People can explore the train from July 30 to August 1 at London King's Cross Station Credit: Mischief PR MHP Group
Scottish Sun
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
New ‘trains of the future' revealed with cinema-style screens and onboard nap pods
Including the top 10 advancements Brits want the most TRACK ON New 'trains of the future' revealed with cinema-style screens and onboard nap pods Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FANCY whizzing through the countryside with 360-degree views of the landscape through glass-to-ceiling windows? Or perhaps, getting your10,000 steps in as you travel from London to Penzance? Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Train operator LNER has predicted what the future of travel could look like in 2075 Credit: Mischief PR MHP Group 5 Passengers could expect to see 'nap pods' and onboard cinema-style screens Credit: Mischief PR MHP Group Well, these things could appear on trains in the UK in the future, according to LNER. As part of the Railway 200 celebrations, which celebrate 200 years of modern railways, LNER and applied futurist Tom Cheesewright have predicted what we could see from trains in 2075. According to Cheesewright, in 2075 train carriages will have a focus on maximum comfort, entertainment and wellness. Instead of just transporting passengers from A to B as most trains do now, train travel could be an experience that promotes passenger health and wellbeing. As such, trains could feature floor-to-ceiling windows, with 360-degree views of the landscape. Of 2,000 people asked, 57 per cent expressed how they would like this, commenting that gazing out at the countryside is often their favourite thing to do whilst on a train. And 60 per cent said they need constant entertainment whilst travelling. As a result, carriages could feature augmented reality with surreal scenes and gamification options, in the future as well as cinema-style screens - which 22 per cent said they would like. 'Nap pods' might feature too - which 22 per cent expressed they wanted as well. Speed remains a top priority for travellers, with 66 per cent declaring this is why they opt for train travel. Most glamourous train carriage in the world revealed with disco balls, library and private tearoom Cheesewright predicts that new technologies could help trains to become faster, slashing travel times considerably. This would start by making trains more aerodynamic, with complicated things like quantum computing and AI being used together to test thousands of designs at the same time. New materials could also help, with laboratories creating 'super-stiff' composites that can be made to a specific shape. And 3D technology could be used to print metals for the trains. Cheesewright added that the customer experience of getting to and on the train could improve as well. This could include facial recognition replacing ticket barriers. 5 There could even be facial recognition instead of ticket barriers Credit: Mischief PR MHP Group 5 LNER's 'Train of the Future' will be open for people to actually visit Credit: Mischief PR MHP Group Many travellers who were asked (44 per cent) shared how sitting back and relaxing is one of the main selling points of train travel. As such, 'smart' seats could be introduced in the future - where the seats would adjust to the customers' microenvironment, with temperature options and different seat firmness levels to choose from. The seats could also pre-save customer preferences. And for those who hate to sit still, there could be the option to book a 'treadmill seat' where passengers can get their steps in on long journeys. All of Cheesewright's predictions have been brought to life in a first-of-its-kind train from LNER called the 'Train of the Future'. The futuristic train will be on show at London King's Cross Station for three days between July 30 and August 1. The top 10 future train advancements Brits would most like to see on trains LNER asked 2,000 people what they wanted to see on trains in the future, and here is what they said. Cinema-style onboard entertainment - 36 per cent Wellness carriages - 23 per cent On train nap pods - 22 per cent Pre-programmed smart seats - 22 per cent Pet zones - 21 per cent Self-balancing food trays - 21 per cent Family playrooms - 19 per cent Odourless food - 19 per cent Onboard concierge for destination recommendation - 16 per cent Neurodivergent-friendly areas - 16 per cent Rachel Pope, head of digital experience strategy for LNER, said: "It's a very special year for the railway industry, we're participating in nationwide festivities, including various exhibitions showcasing the impact of the railways on society and celebrating the past, present, and future of rail travel." Tom Cheesewright, applied futurist said: "The train journey of the future will be smooth from start to finish, aided by AI planning, ticketless travel, and floor to ceiling windows. "The train of the future will look like a science-fiction marvel: swooping and organic, powerful and quiet, and with an onboard experience that connects us to the countryside around us, or the digital world, or even a seamless combination of the two." The LNER 'Train of the Future' will be open from 9am to 5pm in London's King's Cross Station from July 30 to August 1. Railway 200 started in January and celebrates 200 years of the modern railway. Across 2025, the celebration will see a number of different events and activities for the public to get involved in. There is also a £5 scenic train journey in the UK right along the coastline – where waves crash against the windows. Plus, 12 of Europe's most beautiful train journeys are in Britain – with Victorian carriages and stargazing.
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Rolls-Royce Phantom 8 Is 100. Could 2125's Phantom 16 Be A True Flying Lady?
The Rolls-Royce Phantom name has been sitting in the stratosphere of car-dom for 100 years. But what about the next 100 years, and the journey Phantom might take at the average rate of a new or updated version every 12-and-a-half years? It seems Phantom might today be an indication of future features for "everyday" cars, while Phantom itself may move to an entirely new level: airborne luxury. Tom Cheesewright is an applied futurist. He's a mechanical and electrical engineering university graduate, who, through analyzing the past and tracking trends, advises a range of organizations—NASA, Ford and Pepsi amongst them—on what's next, and what's after that, then after that. He's also a car nut. Who better to sit with in the Phantom 8's passenger "suite" and ask the question about the future of Phantom, and how we as a race will fit cars into our lives. "History and heritage count for less these days. Quality and service count for more. So long as Rolls-Royce continues to exhibit quality and deliver service, then its relevance will grow," he says. Given the arguably peerless quality of its product and service that's certainly a deliverable ask, and a lead maintained swan-like: gliding along, but with not a chance of knowing just what unseen efforts are deployed. Service from the self-described "house of luxury," aimed at making everything about life in the Rolls-Royce universe effortless, sits right at the top of standard-setting. They'll be chased hard, not by competitors, but by natural technological evolution. "Luxury trickles down. Not so long ago a passenger wing mirror was a luxury, having entertainment was a luxury, all things standard on family cars for years," said Cheesewright. "So you can expect some of the things in this Phantom to be the norm in more modest cars over the next 100 years—the sense of solidity and strength, and the wafty quality of movement. Those will be normal." While, says Cheesewright, most cars will be self-driving in 100 years, Phantom-level adjustability and comfort of seating, massage, heating, cooling, all of those things we've come to expect on a high-end vehicle, will become the norm in mid-range cars. There could well be personalized entertainment screens all round, but a lot of the technology in cars won't be so obvious. "It'll be completely invisible, integrated—in many ways the direction of travel of luxury car interiors now," he says. "What is 'luxury' is less and less obvious and more and more discreet—luxury is time and not having to think, or fiddle, or press. It's things that just work. In 100 years' time, every car will be focused on things that just work and don't show their underlying workings. "Some of the most exciting areas of research right now are in material science, in the underlying elements or compounds that have their own properties. "You could make a car that's stronger and stiffer with less, sound deadening that's thinner, heating and cooling with much less engineering." Rolls-Royce has always been about craftsmanship. "When it comes to artisans, in 100 years it's hard to say the part they'll play. But in the near-term, I think the artisan picture looks pretty good. "Androids in car making may not be in mass adoption yet, but you can see the direction of travel. That's great for the mass market, but it only serves to increase the value of the personal, the individual, the handcrafted, the things that have got the artisan signature on them." Such progression relies on world economies being strong and consistently stable enough to support the appetite for investment in cash-hungry automotive development. "But we're going to want them (artisans, and their output) as a way to help demonstrate our status, as a way to differentiate ourselves," said Cheesewright. "Look at the new generation coming through—Gen Alpha—they're interested in things that are individual, unique or personal to them because they've grown up with everything being digital, copy-able, mass-produced. They've got an almost punk aesthetic; they either want something unique to them, or they make it themselves. "But then the really big epiphany after we've sorted the EV thing is probably going to be the completion of the ACE vision—the 'autonomous connected electric' vehicle," says Cheesewright. "We'll have ticked off the electric bit largely by the mid-2030s; the connected bit's kind of there, albeit with some issues around security here and there. But the autonomous piece has taken longer than expected—some of us saying it won't be till the 2040s or 2050s, until any car can navigate any conditions, any roads at any time of day or night with just the voice command. True 'Class 5' (completely self-driving). "The really interesting point is not the completion of that vision, it's the backlash against it. And that gets really interesting: Does piloting your own car become a statement of competence, capability, wealth? "Insurance will almost certainly be higher. For a human pilot to choose to drive their own car will be expensive, if synthetic fuels are still available, a relatively expensive option compared to running a battery electric vehicle. "I think having a combustion engine will be a statement, piloting yourself will be a statement. That opens up some really interesting design possibilities, particularly for low-volume cars, very artisanal and catering to that desire to do and drive something different. "Owning and driving a 'stick-shift' manual transmission car in North America doesn't just make you cool, it's a marker of competence, more awareness of your driving environment, and an enviable ability to truly enjoy your car. "I expect that as we lose the sense of control and enjoyment of piloting, let's be honest, a dangerous machine round the roads, we'll look to other ways to get that thrill. Amateur motorsport might be in for a real boom as we go through that shift." What will the wealthy want from their transport? "I think they will probably own their main ACE vehicle, unlike a lot of other people who will 'subscribe' to vehicle usage on demand. "The wealthy will have a subscription like everybody else—but which allows them to be picked up in something suitably swanky wherever they want. "I think ownership will remain a status piece for the ultra-high net worths, the ability to customize, the ability to have things that are to their expectations, to their standards, but more importantly to their preference that are a piece of them. Like Rolls-Royce. "Today, the vast majority of users are traveling in cars they don't own, are paying on finance. It's really only a small cognitive shift from that to a subscription- or service-based car, there when it's wanted." Cheesewright says UHNWs will probably make greater use of personal air transport. "It's been surprising how slow personal electric aircraft have come about. But I think they'll be using those because they'll be quiet, they'll be safe, great for going between city and airport. "Property developers in London, for instance, have been building landing pads into office developments and high-end residential developments for years, with the likes of Skyports buying and leasing them; these things are coming." Could there be a flying Phantom 16? "People have a have a real brand affinity for a particular type of vehicle. If someone loves Rolls-Royce, then the idea they can get out of the ground-bound vehicle and into a same-brand air-capable vehicle, the same interior experience, I think that would appeal hugely. The Rolls-Royce Phantom outside Brae Cottage, what was Sir Henry Royce's home in Cheshire, England. "It might be more of a partnership than Rolls-Royce doing the manufacturing. But in 100 years' times a coachbuilt Rolls-Royce Flying Lady personal electric aircraft? I can see that happening. And they already have the figurine…"
Telegraph
17-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Sign up now: experts to discuss the future of work at TMG's offices
In 2050, the workplace will look very different from how it does today. From AI and upskilling to multi-generational workforces and high performance, nearly all aspects of our current working practices will need to undergo change and embrace innovative new ways of working in order to thrive in the future: AI will transform systems, efficiency and ways of working; more employees will diversify skills as they embark on continuous learning to keep up with changes in their job spec; 20-year-olds will work alongside those more than 50 years their senior as retirement ages increase; and happiness will gain increasing attention as a key factor in retaining the best talent and boosting the bottom line. To understand how to navigate the many shifting priorities and changes of the business world, the World of Work 2050 breakfast event is being held in London. Hosted by Telegraph Media Group and MHR, a leading HR, payroll and finance software provider, and led by applied futurist Tom Cheesewright, the event will bring together influential business leaders, senior HR professionals, academics and industry experts for an insightful panel discussion on the future of work. Beginning with the central importance of fostering happiness at work, the breakfast panel will cover the pressing challenges and lucrative opportunities in the world of work today, including how organisations can embed DEI in their strategies, the central role that HR plays in a company's trajectory, the secrets of high performance and the need for long-term thinking in an increasingly short-term world. Cheesewright's vocation as a futurist may have been uncommon 25 years ago, but his job is becoming increasingly in demand. He helps global brands and industries to see what's coming next and helps them build strategies for successfully navigating whatever the future has in store. He's worked with organisations including Google, Meta, Pepsi and Nasa, and will bring his unique perspective on how the world is changing to the World of Work 2050 event. Following a networking breakfast, where like-minded business leaders, HR professionals and C-suite executives can connect, guests will head to the Telegraph's theatre space where Cheesewright will be joined by expert guests for an eye-opening panel discussion, including: Duro Oye, chief executive and founder of 20/20 Levels, focuses on helping underrepresented young adults succeed in the world of work. Working with corporate partners, such as Virgin Mobile, American Express and Landsec, 20/20 Levels supports businesses so that they can invest in and benefit from diverse talent through offering funding, mentorship and career opportunities. André de Waal, an independent boardroom advisor and researcher, and the academic director of the HPO Center, an organisation that conducts research into what makes a high-performance organisation. He has advised over 250 global organisations on performance management and high performance issues, including Ikea, Grohe, HP and Heineken. Additional panellists will be announced in the coming weeks, and topics of discussion will cover a range of areas critical to business success now and over the next 25 years: why fostering happiness at work improves the bottom line; the importance of embedding diversity and inclusion into your work culture to drive success; how and why life-long learning will become the norm; how to benefit from a multi-generational workforce; why thinking long-term helps businesses thrive; and the secrets of successful high performance organisations and how to lead one. Guests can expect an insightful conversation between experts on how the workplace is changing, where happiness fits in and – crucially – who will be shaping that change. Event theme: Happiness and the future of work Guest speakers: Applied futurist Tom Cheesewright; business theorist Andre de Waal; Duro Oye, chief executive and founder of 20/20 Levels and additional guests to be announced Date: June 4 2025, 8.30-11am Location: The Telegraph, 111 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0DT Register here Eligibility: Attendees must be a business owner, a part business owner or in one of the following roles: c-suite, senior leadership, director. All business industries are eligible. Attendees must be aged 18 or over. Key dates: Attendees must register before May 26, 2025. Terms and conditions: Successful Attendees will be notified via email before May 30, 2025 and must confirm attendance within 3 working days. 20/25 tickets available. Attendees will be selected by Telegraph Media Group to reflect a diverse and balanced range of industries in attendance. Guests are not permitted.
