The future of transportation is going to be heaven or hell depending on whether you like to drive or not.For driving enthusiast's, we are at the dawn of the Apocalypse. People who think driving is a chore on the other hand, are rushing in "smart" cars that almost drive themselves. Climate change, the automotive industry, and public driving habits are shaping the future of what we currently call the automobile.
By mid century, there will approximately be 9 billion people on earth, and 70% of them will be living in cities. Making urban transportation more efficient is a high priority for environmentalist and automobile manufacturers.Climate change, and urban lifestyles are forcing the reinvention of the automobile. According to the research group Partnership for Roadway Electrification and Automation(PREA), the future will look like this: 2-5 inch inductive charging pads will be imbedded in the ground of major streets and roads, delivering up to 30 watts of power wirelessly, giving the vehicle the ability of up to 70mph. This will allow vehicles to become smaller, run abut each other, and eliminate toxic emissions associated with fossil fuels. A secondary effect is increased automotive safety due to a decrease in crashes and driver error related incidents like drunk driving, and texting while driving.At a recent event sponsored by tire giant Michelin, Execs from GM, Ford, and Chrysler, expressed their excitement over the prospects of building vehicles with no engine or safety equipment to worry about. American cars are known for their luxury features, speed, and the status attained by owning one. Historically, fuel and safety technology have come only by a forced hand in the form of governmental mandates that the industry has angrily protested. Getting into bed with environmentalists, potentially getting the Feds of their backs, and making themselves competitive in the world market again has them almost giddy with excitement for the future. Driving enthusiast's are bemoaning the end of a era and cultural freedom as we know it.
Motor Trend magazine, the twentieth century automotive bible, trumpets the end of the car monthly with multiple articles on how public driving habits are becoming more about maximizing what you do in and with your car and less about the thrill of driving. Busy urban lives and, long suburban commutes have forced people to "live", to some degree, in their cars. Multitasking while driving has become a necessary modern evil. Gas prices and fuel mileage has also made a big impact on the American driving psyche. The Sunday drive around town in grandpa's sedan is not only environmentally passe, but people can't afford the time or gas for that anymore. People who drive for the sake of driving are becoming an endangered species, and automakers are ushering in their extinction. If you look at the current line of U.S. cars, you will find them to be smaller, boxier, and loaded with electronic equipment designed to entertain the passengers and drivers alike. The engines have become smaller and more fuel efficient while trying not to reduce power and sportiness. The try, however, is lackluster according to auto industry magazines, and the era of robo-pod vehicles is upon us.
My love/hate relationship with public transportation gives me mixed emotions about the future of automotive design. The environmentalist in me loves it and knows its importance, the car nut in me loves the freedom and privacy driving your own vehicle gives you. Giving up the psychological control and cultural norms driving a toxic, 4000lbs machine has allotted us has been harder and longer than Americans predicted forty years ago during our first energy crisis. As populations become denser, the need for public privacy and energy efficient transportation is outweighing the need for sport and speed.So drive them if you got them now, because public and private transportation is morphing into a hybrid vehicle we all will be using in the near future.
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