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Queenstown's roads are regularly clogged and, as the region continues to grow, that's only going to get worse. But Whoosh thinks the solution could be right above our heads.
Whoosh, which has been developed by Christchurch engineering company Holmes Solutions, uses a fixed metal guideway for its cablecars rather than ropes and that means they have the unique ability to go around corners.
The autonomous electric pods are self-powered with batteries on board and they use a lot less energy than a vehicle.
There can also be lots of pods, one after the other, with control systems in each one and sensors on the track to keep them at a safe distance. Users will be able to choose their destination and bypass different stations along the way.
Whoosh’s first real-world pilot project just got the green light and is scheduled to kick off in the Remarkables Park in Frankton, but it's hoped the network will eventually extend all the way into Queenstown and further around the region. With plenty of overseas interest in the technology, Whoosh's network might eventually extend around the world.
There is a different but complementary proposal for a bigger gondola system that should further reduce the need for cars and take pressure off the roads in the region, so, when it comes to transport, things might be looking up down south.
When Mike Casey bought his house near Cromwell, it came with gas bottles on the side of the home for water and an expensive diesel system for the underfloor heating. He replaced both of them with a Steibel Eltron system and it's been saving him money ever since. As technical manager Bhawesh Singh told him at the Electrify Queenstown conference, there has been a big influx in enquiries from homes looking to get off the molecules and onto electrons.
Read moreDownloadConfidence that cutting regulations to make solar power more accessible - won't jeopardise people's safety. A new Regulation Ministry reports laid out a potential blueprint to legalise plug-in solar and reduce the time and cost of panel installation. Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey shares his thoughts with Andrew Dickens.
The burgeoning demand for solar was also a chance to address a mismatch between the numbers of training opportunities available and young people searching for work, Casey said. "The mums of New Zealand are telling me that there's not enough apprenticeships for their kids and the solar installers of New Zealand are telling me there's not enough trained people."
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