The future of the car has been a topic of much debate. Are driverless cars a good thing? What will they look like? Will it be electric or diesel engines that take over? And how will they work with other vehicles on the road to create the ultimate driving experience? The answers to these questions are likely not in our favor, as there’s no doubt that we are headed towards an autonomous vehicle future. The key question is when this will all happen. In the short term, the most obvious change is a sea-change in how cars will look and operate. But what lies ahead for us in between? Should we be looking beyond this and preparing for an autonomous future already? This article takes a deep-dive into artificial intelligence, machine learning, sensors, autonomy and other emerging technologies that will have an impact on your commute in the years to come. Even if you’re not quite ready to panic yet, it’s time you started planning for life in the post-driverless world.
What will the future of the car look like?
We’ve been there before. Back in the 1980s and 90s when man first started to drive around in a car with a driver, the car was something you sat in. It had a steering wheel, pedals and a driver. But as time went on, people became more and more reliant on the car to get them around. And when we began to rely more and more on the car, the more adaptable it became. It was only a matter of time before automation and AI took over and the car became more like a machine. It’s likely that we’ll see the same thing with the driver in 2021.
How autonomous vehicles work: Theories and reality
When it comes to autonomous vehicles, there are a few different theories that have been put forward. The first is that they are already here. We’re just not seeing them yet. This idea is known as the “disappearing car” theory and it’s pretty much what it sounds like. There will be no more drivers on the road. In this theory, we’re not looking at driverless cars, we’re looking at self-driving “shuttlecocks” that are tested on the open road. When we see these self-driving “shuttlecocks” in action, we’ll likely see them in a completely automated state. A second theory about autonomous vehicles is the “slow and steady” notion. This one is aimed at letting us know how we can expect to drive in the future. For example, assume for now that a hybrid system is used in your car. The idea is that over time, the old technology will be replaced by new, more advanced technology. This way, we can remain drivers, but with the newer, more advanced technology. This “slow and steady” approach to automation is what we’re likely to see with the introduction of driverless cars. We’re likely to see significant change in a short period of time, but small adjustments over time will help us progress more quickly.
What’s next for cars?
With autonomous vehicles on the rise, it’s important to ask what comes next. It’s possible that we’ll see an increase in instances where the car takes over the driving duties. Or, perhaps we’ll see a reduction in the amount of time that the car takes to take you around. Or, maybe you’ll be able to let the car take you around without even having to touch the steering wheel. Whatever happens next, one thing is for sure: Your commute will change. There will be fewer roadblocks, longer travel times and less competition on the road (all factors that will make your commute more pleasant). Your car will also likely become less central to your life.
AI and automation in cars
Artificial intelligence, machine learning and sensors will play an increasingly big role in the design of cars in the coming years. Just to name a few of the technologies, self-driving car shuttles are being tested today with driverless technology. These technologies will help you have a more enjoyable commute in the future by making it easier to drive safely, informed by data and avoiding mistakes.
Conclusion
As we move further into the future, it’s important to keep this in mind: The more common automated driving becomes, the more our driving habits will change. It’s likely that the average driver will make fewer mistakes, be more careful with their driving and have more fun behind the wheel. With that, things will probably get a little easier on the roads for the average driver.
