The future car, lets say a 2025 model will be a very different engine to its gift day Grandfather. They will be packed with computers and protection devices ensuring that not even a stunt driver can crash, and they will run on carbon dioxide and emit strawberry scented oxygen. Well they might.
Predictions of future vehicles are ordinarily wildly inaccurate, by now we should all have space programs to rival Nasa based out of our backyard. However some of the automobile connected cutting edge technology emerging now may well make it into output models of the future. But how much of this technology will be needed or even wanted? Car construct of the gift is already influenced by politicians, bureaucrats, condition and protection regulations and emissions regulations and the stunning idea seen at the motorshow emerges into the world as a 1.0 litre shopping cart, but at least its legal.
Personally I like the idea of fuel efficient hybrid cars, and fuel cell cars emitting nothing but water. However, like most enthusiasts I also like distinguished loud convertibles with with the ability to snap a vertabrae at 10 paces. A sensible mix therefore is required and this will be the job entrusted to car designers and engineers of the future, to make a politically correct car that is also desirable.
Another immenent question facing designers of the future is coming up with styling ideas that are fresh and new. Some of the more modern concepts are honestly stunning but not necessarily beautiful in the excellent sense of the word. But if there is one thing the automobile manufactures is good at that is innovation, and I for one am clear that radical and greatest concepts never before imagined will continue to appear at motorshows nearby the world.
Computer technology has already taken a firm hold of the automobile and the modern driver is less and less responsible for the actions of their vehicle, soon crash victims will try to sue the electronics companies for accidents they caused because their computer principles failed to brake the car even though they were fast asleep at the wheel on a three lane highway. Until you have automation of every single car on every single road computer driven cars are just not feasible, in my mind there are just far too many on-the-road variables, with all the logic in the world you cannot beat a brain. Now computer assisted driving is already ready in clear Mercedes models which brake for you if your not seeing where your going and your too close to the car in front, but there is still a driver in control of the car, or is there. What if for some fancy you wanted to get closer to the car in front, you needed to get closer to the car, if you didn't get closer to the car something terrible would happen to civilization. Where do you draw the line with car automation?
In industrialized cities of the future Cctv will be so prevalent that graphic crimes such as car theft are all but wiped out, but that still won't stop the determined thief. Gps (Global Positioning System) units fitted as proper to all new automobiles will be able to track any car at anytime anywhere, this technology is already tasteless but more comprehensive use is inevitable. In the Uk the government is already talking about fitting Gps to fee motorists depending on what road they travel on and at what times to cut spiraling congestion. This technology coupled with an improved movable phone and bluetooth network can be used to track and recover stolen vehicles. When the car is found to be stolen a call can be made which shuts down the engine of the car. At the same time a call is sent out which alerts ready nearby police, by using the Gps installed in both the stolen car and the police car officers can track the car even if they cannot see it. The police will also have much more comprehension into a vehicles record when out on patrol, using bluetooth technology a police car can tail a car and receive data on the owner, the current driver and their driving history, and even find out modern top speed and acceleration figures. Of procedure who wants that, you think you've just had a fun diminutive blast on your popular bit of road you get pulled over five miles later and the officer gives you a speeding marker for something he didn't see. But if this technology is mandatory then what option do you have.
Access to future automobiles may be very different to the keys of today, push button code entry and keycard systems where the key doesn't even leave you pocket, already available, will become tasteless place. You hear the term keyless entry but it still uses a remote control attached to a key which is then used to start the car. Biometrics which are ready on some computer systems and use fingerprinting as a password could be an efficient alternative to the key, you could even schedule it for members of your house choosing in the middle of entrance only for the children or entrance and drive functions for those with licenses. However I believe it will be some time before this is the only means of car entry or start up, what if you are lending your car to a friend and you cannot be gift to allow start up.
Multimedia systems will continue to construct in cars until the point where the "are we there yet" phrase develops into "can we stay here". Manufacturers are continuing to cram more and more video screens into increasingly ingenious places providing a rolling cinematic Dolby 7.0 surround sound experience. Dvds are going to go the way of the Vcr with hard disk recording of video being the dominant power much as Mp3s are killing off Cds. This Mp4 technology will save space in the car and allow for far more footage to be kept on board. Improvements in wireless Internet connections could mean that the larger roads can retain Internet capable vehicles and constantly forewarn the driver with up to date relevant road information. A screen in the dash can display live images to show traffic reports and also predict traffic jams by using the Gps systems in all vehicles to show areas where vehicles have been stopped or are congested, and then provide alternate routes. The sound systems of cars will also improve and become more personalised for the assorted passengers, with headphone sockets and manifold sound outlets, there might be four different radio stations that can be played at once through the different jacks, and a variety of Mp3s that can be played at once.
Passenger protection is already a priority for modern day car manufacturers and this will only increase in point into the future. The comprehensive use of airbags will increase, the side impact protection airbags featured in some models have proved to be extremely efficient in rescue lives, more investigate and great positioning will continue to improve their performance and reliability. Airbags at the moment can only be deployed once so in a manifold collision crash their effectiveness is voided after the first impact, future airbag systems However may take this into notice and combine manifold single use airbags in one position or reusable airbags which can be inflated any times. Some manufacturers use a dynamic headrest in some high-spec models, these move forward while a collision to stop the head snapping back quite so far and reducing the occasion of spinal injury (whiplash.
It has been found that a vehicles bumper and frame height is a very important factor when it comes to protection while a collision, if a car has bumper which is too high it can override the bumper of the other car and plough directly into the passenger compartment putting the occupants at severe risk. Accidents like this ordinarily occur when a average size car collides with a truck or Suv, this mismatch can be avoided by having adjustable ride heights on the larger vehicles, when they are on a level road lowering the car to a favorable height would sell out the dangers ordinarily connected with these sorts of collision, as a by product this would also sell out the top heavy nature of trucks and Suvs and rollover accidents could be avoided.
Sensors will be increasingly responsible for predicting and safeguarding against avoidable accidents. Sensors will monitor the road exterior scanning for black ice and risky conditions, this data will then be displayed to the driver and the car may take proper steps to improve traction thus reducing the occasion of an accident. The data gathered may also be relayed to a central road monitoring network which can forewarn other motorists of changing weather conditions, in effect every car would become a roving weather station.
Sensors will also monitor the cars position on the road and if the car is found to be straying from the road or traffic lane an alarm would sound this highlight is already found on the Citroen C4 among others. Sensors could also monitor the drivers well-being, imaging sensors would track eye movement and if the eyes close for more than a few seconds an alarm would sound to alert the driver. Audi uses sensors on its new A6 which monitor for wet conditions, if found the Bosch brakes are applied intermittently to wipe off the water and ensure good contact when they are needed, the pressure applied in this process is so diminutive the driver does not notice. Improved night foresight and spatial awareness would help cut down on night time crashes which account for half the road connected fatalities each year even though only a quarter of all driving occurs at night. Cadillac already includes infrared night foresight as an option on some of its more desirable models, infrared foresight does not see light it sees heat and the warmer an object is the more it stand out on the screen. The screen is a heads up display projected onto the windscreen infront of the drivers line of sight allowing the driver to see the real world and also the digital projection. Honda has a similar principles with the added ability to identify objects and pick out pedestrians and digitally highlight those which are likely to step into the vehicles path and then emit an audible warning.
New materials are constantly brought into the automotive field, in 2005 Chrysler Daimler began using biological composite materials made from coconut, sisal, jute and other plants. This biological material is used mostly on the interior of the car and finds its way into seat cushions, seat backs, underfloor body panels and interior door panels. One of the benefits of using these biological compounds is that they can be recycled and reused and the manufacturing process complicated is far more environmentally amiable than that of accepted synthetic compounds. Porcelain first used in braking by Porsche are becoming increasingly popular, although still very high-priced limiting them to exclusive vehicles. The benefits of using Porcelain is their high tolerance to intense heat manufacture them favorable for high performance vehicles, and where the heavy use of the brakes is needed regularly. Their ability to accomplish under these extremes help sell out the brake fade connected with exessive use and high temperatures. Materials first such as carbon fibre and carbon kevlar first used on race cars and famed for their high impel and lightweight properties have now filtered down to the output car level, generally in high-end vehicles but in due time these composites will begin to appear in the average car, cutting weight and addition fuel cheaper whilst maintaining structural rigidity.
In the future car designers will have to discover new themes and find alternative influences for their designs. In an endeavor to catch peoples eye the designs will have to be increasingly bold and brash often sacrificing the aesthetic balance of the construct in endeavor to be different in an increasingly 'done before' market. This is not to say all designs are going to be hideous, just some. Someone else affect to exterior construct will be made by law as stricter pedestrian protection laws are enforced requiring the front ends of cars to be 'softer', this thinking has already been introduced on some models, comprehensive though it is difficult to scheme how this will ultimately affect the face of car design. With the increased use of alternative fuel sources such as the hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen combustion engine, car bodies may begin reflect the green nature of their power. However I believe this to be a mistake. The Honda comprehension Hybrid might have been more of a success had it not been utterly repulsive, people were already wary of its power source and to then make them vomit in disgust at its styling is just not intelligent. Why do all the eco-friendly cars look like a 60's psychedelic nightmare, why can't they just look like a decent idea car with an alternative engine. Things seem to be improving However and Bmw's H2R is an undeniably stunning car if somewhat impractical. And hybrid technology is seeing its way into mainstream prodution vehicles as an optional power source.
The interior of vehicles will also change, becoming more user amiable and personalised. Ergonomically positioned controls and lumbar retain seats with adjustable all will come as proper to increase driver and passenger relieve and sell out continuing pain and discomfort. Customisable and personalised interior space will also become desirable features on the future automobile. Just as you swap movable phone covers an whole dash could be swapped to match your mood, if your a diminutive bigger than average why not fit an Xxl seat in two easy steps, the possibilities will be endless in order to cater for an increasingly demanding consumer.
Alternative power sources for vehicles are becoming ever more popular. Government incentives will at last force all but the super rich into environmentally amiable cars, no problem, by then fuel cell cars will be just as rapid as their fossil fuel counterparts but with none of the mess or stench. However it may take some convincing to get a 'petrol head' to put down his piston and pick up a proton exchange membrane cathode, its just not the same is it. at last tasteless accepted fuel cars will become classics and extremely sought after by collectors, but not for a long long time.
A Subjective understanding of the hereafter Automobile