FAIR Soundscape

Electric airplanes, EVTOL (Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing) drones and other technologies have the potential to transform the way we travel in the Kvarken region. Enabling flexible and rapid east to west travel in a much more environmentally friendly way, for instance. Lycksele to Vaasa is just one of the possible short distance routes that could become a reality with electric airplanes.

The FAIR Soundscape is a speculative prototype to explore what this transformation could be like by making a possible version of that future experienceable. The aim is to spark imagination, trigger reflection and raise discussion on how these new technologies could become part of our lives in the future.

For example, there are a few things you may have noticed during your sonic trip into the future:

A network of EVTOL ports could make it easy to travel quickly and easily from different places in a city to the local airport. Adjusted to when your flight will leave and with minimal time lost in traffic.

The electric airplanes in development for regional distances will be smaller and carry fewer passengers than the longer distance planes we are used to. This could allow for shorter waiting times at airports, more flexible schedules and faster boarding.

Electric airplanes are also expected to be quieter than fossil or bio fuel powered jet engines. What if we fill this silence with a subtle soundscape on board? Echoing sounds of the changing landscapes we are flying over to reinforce our relation to the earth below while providing a calming atmosphere?

If you are curious about the future of electric aviation in the Kvarken region, visit VOLTA, another prototype where you can experience a booking website for the imaginary airline Volta: an all-electric airline servicing the Kvarken region with an innovative business model without a fixed schedule. Or, visit the FAIR project website for more information.

The FAIR Soundscape was created by RISE and Andreas Estensen. Recorded, composed and produced by Andreas Estensen.

The FAIR project is owned by the Kvarken Council and partly funded by the Interreg Botnia-Atlantica programme.