Suicide pod creator working on ‘couples capsule’ where people can end lives together

Dr Philip Nitschke, 78, said that the majority of the controversial double pod’s parts have already been printed and that it could be ready with a matter of months

The scientist behind a controversial “suicide pod” has revealed he’s now working on a new version designed for couples who want to die together.

Dr Philip Nitschke, the man who invented the Sarco Pod, said there has been growing interest from loved-up pairs keen to exit the world side by side. The futuristic-looking machine allows a person to take their own life, and has already sparked outrage around the globe.

The pod was used for the first time in September 2024 in Switzerland, when a 64-year-old American woman climbed inside. Several people were later taken into custody following her death.

Dr Nitschke claimed the woman wasted no time once inside the device, pressing the button almost straight away. He said she told him she “really wanted to die” in the pod, which is designed to send the occupant into unconsciousness using nitrogen gas before death follows minutes later.

Speaking to the Daily Mail about the new pod, he claimed “most of the bits have been printed” and the machine could be fully assembled within months.

The 78-year-old added that the double pod would be big enough for two people to lie inside together – but death would only come if both occupants press a button at the exact same time.

If just one person presses it, nothing happens, meaning the final act must be a fully coordinated and conscious decision by both people.

In another twist, the device is also set to include AI features designed to assess whether those inside have the mental capacity to understand what they are doing before being allowed to activate it.

But even if the new pod is ready in “a couple of months”, it still faces a major legal hurdle. Any use would need approval from Swiss authorities, the same country where the first death sparked a major police probe.

That case triggered a lengthy investigation into whether the death amounted to intentional homicide – which was later dropped – with Interior Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider declaring the pod “not legally compliant” on the day it was used.

Not content with using only pods to end a life, Dr Nitschke recently unveiled the Kairos Kollar. The collar goes around someone’s neck and is designed to apply pressure to the baroreceptors and carotid arteries on the neck, arteries which restrict blood flow to the brain.

He demonstrated the chilling device during a workshops hosted by pro-euthanasia group Exit International. It would cause a rapid loss of consciousness and death without the need for drug-based interventions, according to the doctor.

Taking to X, he explained: “The Exit Kairos Kollar, an important development in the assisted dying quest…fast, reliable, drug-free..and, importantly, unrestrictable.”

For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.

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