Škoda predicts a hypermobile world in 2050
Read the story how Škoda Auto, European car manufacturer, predicts the way we will use vehicles in 2050. The story is based on the latest prediction from respected think-tank the Centre for Future Studies.
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.
Source: ŠkodaAuto
