News from the 1958: Driverless cars coming soon. News from 2008: Driverless cars coming soon. A bunch of engineers at Southwest Research Institute have cobbled together a bazillion dollars worth of gear to move a car through an obstacle course. Watch for the driverless car in your showrooms in 3018.
Implications - City planners have always looked to autonomous, self-driving vehicles as the answer to solve traffic congestion in metropolitan cities of the future, and innovative designers are finally creating prototypes to test current technology. Unlike the flying cars promised to future citizens during the 50s, the modern concepts for autonomous vehicles communicate with each other and don't require driver input.
Driverless Cars
Researchers Have Working Prototype
Trend Themes
1. Autonomous Vehicles - The rise of autonomous vehicles has the potential to revolutionize the transportation industry by reducing the need for human drivers.
2. Connected Cars - The development of connected cars allows autonomous vehicles to communicate with one another and make more efficient use of the roadways.
3. Mobility as a Service - As autonomous vehicles become more prevalent, new business models are emerging that provide transportation as a service rather than individual ownership in industries such as ride-sharing and logistics.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive - The automotive industry stands to benefit from the development of autonomous vehicles, as it opens up new markets and disrupts traditional models of car manufacturing and ownership.
2. Transportation and Logistics - The transportation and logistics industry will be transformed as autonomous vehicles become more prevalent, leading to increased efficiency and reduced costs for shippers and carriers.
3. Technology - The technology industry will play a critical role in the development and innovation of autonomous vehicles, providing the software and hardware necessary to make self-driving cars a reality.