Pre-booking motorway space to travel to work in your entertainment hub is the latest prediction from respected think-tank the Centre for Future Studies. In a report commissioned by Škoda, the way we use vehicles is predicted to change dramatically by 2050.
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In 2050 motorists are predicted to pre-book travel on motorways in timed slots within vehicle ‘pods’, where vehicles take the strain of motoring and car pools are the norm. Motorists can change the colour of their vehicles to match their mood and download the latest software to boost performance.
It will come as no surprise to many that drivers will lose their sense of direction as dependence on satellite navigation becomes far more widespread. Media companies will provide in-car content of games and video that doesn’t require long periods of concentration or interaction.
The increased robotisation of the car will ultimately hand over control to the vehicle, which will boost road safety and enable motorists to use their travelling time to watch the morning news, video conference or answer some emails.
Commenting on the findings of the study Dr Frank Shaw from the Centre for Future Studies said:
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By GlobalData“Škoda is to be applauded for thinking about how we will use vehicles in the future. The most effective car manufacturers spot the trends of tomorrow and start building them into the cars of today.
“The key drivers of change determining the design, manufacture and usage of the car of the future are technology, energy supply and demographics. Technology will make cars safer, cleaner and more intelligent and will also provide alternatives to our oil dependency. The car of the future will be far more of a versatile, eco-friendly, cyber-connected travelling space.”
The driving license of the future will be electronic with cars simply not starting if drivers don’t have a license. Drivers will be recognised by their iris and the car immobiliser will disengage only if you are authorised to drive that vehicle at that time.
Looking to the future is a vital part of any car manufacturer’s business. Commenting on the study, Catherine Bell, Head of Press and PR for Škoda said: “Clever car design that enhances the owner’s experience is central to Škoda’s current and future success. This report is an important part of helping Škoda engineers to think about how people will use cars in the future and design vehicles that meet those needs. The new Škoda Roomster, which goes on sale in September, is a great example of a vehicle meeting the changing demands of the driver. It offers a highly flexible interior that can seat children in comfort and safety or provide enough room to accommodate two mountain bikes.”
The study concludes that the main task of the car in 2050 will be the same as today – to take occupants directly from A to B as safely and comfortably as possible, with reasonable speed, minimum fuel consumption and minimum impact on the environment.
Škoda commissioned the report to coincide with the launch of the new Roomster model, which uses a two-room concept for the model’s interior space – the Driving Room and the Living Room. This enables owners to use the vehicle in a variety of ways as the Varioflex rear seat system allows for 20 different seating and carrying space combinations with up to 1,780 litres of luggage capacity.
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2050: A vision of the future
Penelope walks to her car. It’s blue today; yesterday it was orange – and tomorrow? She can decide on her way to work. She extends her thumb and speaks a password while the car’s security system scans her finger and voice print, before unlocking and opening the door. It’s hot today but as she settles herself in the driving seat, the air temperature has already been adjusted to suit her predetermined preference and the intelligent upholstery fabric will adapt to maintain her cool.
The car’s automatic mood sensory system plays soothing music and the de-stressing aroma of lavender is wafted into the cabin. Her electronic license has already been inserted and approved and her retina scanned to ensure a cross match with the license. Any attempt to drive while banned would, of course, result in immobilisation.
She ‘tells’ the car of her destination – the ‘work-hub’ in the next town where she can access a huge range of technologies along with workers employed by a dozen different businesses and the time she wishes to arrive. Thank heavens she no longer has to worry about forgetting anyone’s name – her active contact lenses simply relay a picture of anyone in her field of vision to her computer which can instantly feedback their details if required.
Powered by hydrogen fuel cell, the car is performing even better since she downloaded that new engine management software. Her slot on the highway has been booked with the network management system – but on her way to join the car-pod on the motorway, she receives a communication asking her to stop and pick up a passenger travelling in the same direction. Her satellite navigation system gets her swiftly to his address and its always worth the effort giving a lift exempts her from 25 per cent of the toll charge on the road.
As she joins her ‘pod’ of vehicles travelling for the next three junctions on the motorway, she can relax. The on-board computer takes over, checking speed and controlling braking systems to ensure collision avoidance as well as monitoring road and weather conditions, while she catches up with the email and newspapers. She is directed to a parking space as she approaches her destination and informed that a tyre technician will be there to meet her. Her sensor has detected that her tyres are reaching the recommended limit.
She arrives at work precisely 30 seconds before her estimated arrival time, ready for the day. Having had its tyres changed, the car is now taking someone else to a meeting before being returned to the pool station – where it has been re-booked for her journey home.
