London Heathrow Pods - full ride from Business Car Park B to Terminal 5

London Heathrow Airport's innovative new Ultra POD transport system connects Terminal 5 with the airport's extensive Business Car Park areas. The British-developed system is one of the first examples of new personal rapid transit technology that could benefit many parts of the world in the future.
Each pod is designed to carry up to four people and their luggage (including pushchairs and bulky items) in temperature-controlled comfort. The pods do not require a ticket and are free to use. They operate on an 'on demand' basis, so there is no waiting around for timetabled services, and no stops along the way. Just jump in and go!
The futuristically-styled pods are driverless and self-steering, and run automatically along designated tracks (called 'glideways'). They are electrically powered and travel on rubber wheels, giving a smooth quiet ride. A central computer monitors demand and ensures that pods are available at the right places at the right time. The Heathrow glideways are approximately 2.4 miles (3.8 km) long, and the journey time from Terminal 5 to the Business Car Park areas is about five minutes.
This POD transport system is an example of 'green transport' in action - it is energy efficient and low emission, and replaces an estimated 50,000 bus journeys per year. In addition is has considerably shortened journey times between Terminal 5 and Heathrow's Business Car Parks.

[@youngerstarful]

I want to go to London and ride it!!!!!

[@amberstuchbury8192]

manchester airport should have these cause it takes ages on the bus things

[@MrSquareart]

Hope they expand to more area around the heathrow airport soon

[@alokarora2367]

Looks good. Was surprised to see the bus overtaking the pod. Also is it not odd the Brits decided to go with driving on the right side of the road with this one - break from the tradition, huh?

[@dikedoke5553]

Why are those pods drive on the right side I thought the UK drove on the left side.
LOL

[@Smudge993]

cool

[@SFTAMIAMI]

nice

[@MrSquareart]

When are they going to expand the system to more area around heathrow airpot?

[@mikeosullivan3699]

Pretty cool, but how good is its fault tolerance? If one of those things breaks down it blocks the whole lane. There doesn't even seem to be a walkway for someone to get out there and fix it or get someone off. What are the plans for situations like that?

[@jasminejohnston6393]

Mike O'Sullivan well it is automated, so there's a chance that the computer system could malfunction, but it hasn't happened yet!

[@owenchuarbx]

me too!

[@hobog]

expensive to build and underused?