German City Tests Wind and Waterproof Sleep Pods for the Homeless

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This essay is part of a series on cultural, scientific and esoteric matters.

Editor's Note: It is one of capitalism's many perversities that countless people around the world, including in the richest capitalist metropolises, such as New York, London, Berlin, and Los Angeles, are homeless, living on the streets, or under bridges, while thousands of luxury abodes sit empty, waiting to hit the right price in what the owners regard as the right reward for their speculation. While this problem will only get worse as the global capitalist crisis worsens, and more millions are literaly thrown into the garbage dump as "superfluous people", from the standpoint of "efficient, automated capital", reformers are coming up with solutions to mitigate the suffering. In this dilemma, while we think that the right solution to this problem is obviously a complete overhaul of society, that is, revolution, we also think that someting must be done in the immediate future to provide a secure form of shelter. Homeless shelters exist in almost all capitalist cities, but obviously they do not or will not cope with the problem in either its sheer quantity or complex dimensions. The fact that Germany—Europe's most dynamic and affluent capitalist nation and one with a long tradition of "social democracy"—still has almost one million homeless people attests to the fact such probems are inherent in capitalist social dynamics. The end result is that across the globe many people do end up on the streets. In such an imperfect and stubbornly difficult situation, the solution presented below seems like an interesting compromise. Purists and ultra-leftists are already condemning these pods as a way not to deal with the root of the problem, and a particularly dehumanising way of providing shelter in the 21st century. We disagree for the reasons outlined in the body of this article. Besides, many cities in affluent Asia rent "modular" rooms (essentially "capsules") for overnight or sort-term guests, Tokyo being one of the pioneers in this modality, and no one speaks of these tiny "hotels" as "dehumanizing." They are not what a billionaire or a regular well-heeled traveler would use, but they meet the need for which they were created. —PG

INNOVATION

INTERESTINGENGINEERING.COM

If the solar-powered pods prove successful at keeping people warm and safe, they may be rolled out nationwide.

By Loukia Papadopoulos
Dateline: January 24, 2021

Homeless row in Los Angeles (USA). Fragile, insecure and unsightly—and they are proliferating all over the city.

Most of us can not imagine being homeless. The mere thought of it is enough to cause distress and dismay. And yet, it's a dire reality for thousands of people around the world.

(Ulmer Nest)

In Germany, there were an estimated 860,000 homeless people in 2016 according to BAG W (Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Wohnungslosenhilfe e.V —Federal Association of Homeless Aid). This is no small number and is indicative of a big problem.

One company is trying to make a difference for homeless people by introducing a windproof and waterproof futuristic sleeping pod that the homeless can freely access. The company is called Ulmer Nest and it is located in the city of Ulm, 75 miles (120 km) west of Munich.

The pods were introduced on January 8, 2020 and if they prove useful and successful, they could be rolled out nationwide. Wouldn't that be neat?

The pods are made out of wood and steel and can fit up to two people for those who are not venturing out in the city alone. Ulmer Nest claims the cabins protectagainst the cold, wind, and humidity while also providing fresh air.

The pods also protect their users' privacy by not including any cameras. Instead, a motion sensor alerts social workers when the doors are opened. This helps social workers practice discretion when cleaning the pod after each use, and should the need arise, come to the aid of anyone requiring it.

The pods have a radio network that homeless people can use to get in touch with the team overseeing the cabins — radio was picked because of its accessibility advantage over mobile networks. They also have solar panels to provide heating from a renewable energy source.

Ulmer Nest hopes their pods will protect against frostbite during Germany's coldest nights and emphasizes that this initiative is not a replacement for a stay in a hostel or safe house, but rather an alternative and last option for those who really have nowhere else to go. Here's to hoping that these pods prove their usefulness soon and find a place for themselves on street corners around the world.

Loukia Papadopoulos is a journalist, writer, and editor with previous experience with the United Nations Momentum for Change, Leo Burnett and Al Arabiya English. She holds a D.E.C. in Pure and Applied Sciences from Marianopolis College, a B.A. in Communications and an M.Sc. in Geography, Urban and Environmental Studies from Concordia University.