The Sarco pod was launched in 2024 in Switzerland, allowing users to commit suicide under controlled conditions. Switzerland allows the practice of suicide or euthanasia if a person is sane and facing a serious illness such as terminal cancer.
Previously, individuals who wanted to use Sarco had to undergo psychiatric screening to ensure they were not being coerced and were aware of what they wanted to do. Sarco is now equipped with an artificial intelligence (AI) system that confirms that users know what will happen when the pod is activated. If the individual is confirmed to be sane by the AI, the machine will give them 24 hours to use it. If they miss, the test must be taken again.
Sarco pumps nitrogen gas into an airtight chamber. Within 30 seconds, the oxygen content in the air will drop from 21% to 0.05%, causing the individual in the pod to experience hypoxia. Death will occur within 5 minutes, with Saco's creator saying that users will not be tortured and will die peacefully.
Saco was first shown in 2019 after six years of development. Although the cost of building Sarco is €650,000 (~RM 3.1 million), users only have to pay 18 Swiss Francs (~RM91), which is the cost for the nitrogen bottle used.
