| The future car, lets say a 2025 model will be a very | | | | snapping back quite so far and reducing the chance of |
| different machine to its present day Grandfather. They | | | | spinal injury (whiplash.It has been found that a vehicles |
| will be packed with computers and safety devices | | | | bumper and frame height is a very important factor |
| ensuring that not even a stunt driver can crash, and | | | | when it comes to safety during a collision, if a vehicle |
| they will run on carbon dioxide and emit strawberry | | | | has bumper which is too high it can override the |
| scented oxygen. Well they might.Predictions of future | | | | bumper of the other vehicle and plough directly into the |
| vehicles are usually wildly inaccurate, by now we | | | | passenger compartment putting the occupants at |
| should all have space programs to rival NASA based | | | | severe risk. Accidents like this usually occur when a |
| out of our backyard. However some of the automobile | | | | average size car collides with a truck or SUV, this |
| related cutting edge technology emerging now may | | | | mismatch can be avoided by having adjustable ride |
| well make it into production models of the future. But | | | | heights on the larger vehicles, when they are on a |
| how much of this technology will be needed or even | | | | smooth road lowering the vehicle to a suitable height |
| wanted? Car design of the present is already | | | | would reduce the dangers normally associated with |
| influenced by politicians, bureaucrats, health and safety | | | | these sorts of collision, as a by product this would also |
| regulations and emissions regulations and the stunning | | | | reduce the top heavy nature of trucks and SUVs and |
| concept seen at the motorshow emerges into the | | | | rollover accidents could be avoided.Sensors will be |
| world as a 1.0 litre shopping cart, but at least its | | | | increasingly responsible for predicting and safeguarding |
| legal.Personally I like the idea of fuel efficient hybrid | | | | against avoidable accidents. Sensors will monitor the |
| cars, and fuel cell cars emitting nothing but water. | | | | road surface scanning for black ice and hazardous |
| However, like most enthusiasts I also like powerful loud | | | | conditions, this information will then be displayed to the |
| convertibles with with the ability to snap a vertabrae at | | | | driver and the vehicle may take appropriate steps to |
| 10 paces. A sensible mix therefore is required and this | | | | improve traction thus reducing the chance of an |
| will be the job entrusted to car designers and | | | | accident. The information gathered may also be |
| engineers of the future, to make a politically correct | | | | relayed to a central road monitoring network which |
| car that is also desirable.Another immenent problem | | | | can inform other motorists of changing weather |
| facing designers of the future is coming up with styling | | | | conditions, in effect every vehicle would become a |
| ideas that are fresh and new. Some of the more | | | | roving weather station.Sensors will also monitor the |
| recent concepts are certainly striking but not | | | | cars position on the road and if the vehicle is found to |
| necessarily beautiful in the classic sense of the word. | | | | be straying from the road or traffic lane an alarm |
| But if there is one thing the automobile industry is good | | | | would sound this feature is already found on the |
| at that is innovation, and I for one am confident that | | | | Citroen C4 amongst others. Sensors could also |
| radical and extreme concepts never before imagined | | | | monitor the drivers well-being, imaging sensors would |
| will continue to appear at motorshows around the | | | | track eye movement and if the eyes close for more |
| world.Computer technology has already taken a firm | | | | than a few seconds an alarm would sound to alert the |
| hold of the automobile and the modern driver is less | | | | driver. Audi uses sensors on its new A6 which monitor |
| and less responsible for the actions of their vehicle, | | | | for wet conditions, if found the BOSCH brakes are |
| soon crash victims will try to sue the electronics | | | | applied intermittently to wipe off the water and ensure |
| companies for accidents they caused because their | | | | good contact when they are needed, the pressure |
| computer system failed to brake the car even though | | | | applied in this process is so slight the driver does not |
| they were fast asleep at the wheel on a three lane | | | | notice. Improved night vision and spatial awareness |
| highway. Until you have automation of every single | | | | would help cut down on night time crashes which |
| vehicle on every single road computer driven cars are | | | | account for half the road related fatalities each year |
| just not feasible, in my mind there are just far too | | | | even though only a quarter of all driving occurs at night. |
| many on-the-road variables, with all the logic in the | | | | Cadillac already includes infrared night vision as an |
| world you cannot beat a brain. Now computer assisted | | | | option on some of its more desirable models, infrared |
| driving is already available in certain Mercedes models | | | | vision does not see light it sees heat and the warmer |
| which brake for you if your not looking where your | | | | an object is the more it stand out on the screen. The |
| going and your too close to the car in front, but there is | | | | screen is a heads up display projected onto the |
| still a driver in control of the car, or is there. What if for | | | | windscreen infront of the drivers line of sight allowing |
| some reason you wanted to get closer to the car in | | | | the driver to see the real world and also the digital |
| front, you needed to get closer to the car, if you didn't | | | | projection. Honda has a similar system with the added |
| get closer to the car something terrible would happen | | | | ability to identify objects and pick out pedestrians and |
| to civilization. Where do you draw the line with vehicle | | | | digitally highlight those which are likely to step into the |
| automation?In advanced cities of the future CCTV will | | | | vehicles path and then emit an audible warning.New |
| be so prevalent that visible crimes such as car theft | | | | materials are constantly brought into the automotive |
| are all but wiped out, but that still won't stop the | | | | field, in 2005 Chrysler Daimler began using biological |
| determined thief. GPS (Global Positioning System) units | | | | composite materials made from coconut, sisal, jute and |
| fitted as standard to all new automobiles will be able to | | | | other plants. This biological material is used mostly on |
| track any vehicle at anytime anywhere, this technology | | | | the interior of the car and finds its way into seat |
| is already common but more widespread use is | | | | cushions, seat backs, underfloor body panels and |
| inevitable. In the UK the government is already talking | | | | interior door panels. One of the benefits of using these |
| about fitting GPS to charge motorists depending on | | | | biological compounds is that they can be recycled and |
| what road they travel on and at what times to cut | | | | reused and the manufacturing process involved is far |
| spiraling congestion. This technology coupled with an | | | | more environmentally friendly than that of conventional |
| improved mobile phone and bluetooth network can be | | | | synthetic compounds. Ceramics first used in braking by |
| used to track and recover stolen vehicles. When the | | | | Porsche are becoming increasingly popular, although still |
| vehicle is found to be stolen a call can be made which | | | | very expensive limiting them to exclusive vehicles. The |
| shuts down the engine of the car. At the same time a | | | | benefits of using ceramics is their high tolerance to |
| call is sent out which alerts available nearby police, by | | | | intense heat making them suitable for high |
| using the GPS installed in both the stolen car and the | | | | performance vehicles, and where the heavy use of |
| police car officers can track the car even if they | | | | the brakes is needed regularly. Their ability to perform |
| cannot see it. The police will also have much more | | | | under these extremes help reduce the brake fade |
| insight into a vehicles record when out on patrol, using | | | | associated with exessive use and high temperatures. |
| bluetooth technology a police car can tail a vehicle and | | | | Materials first such as carbon fibre and carbon kevlar |
| receive information on the owner, the current driver | | | | first used on race cars and famed for their high |
| and their driving history, and even find out recent top | | | | strength and lightweight properties have now filtered |
| speed and acceleration figures. Of course who wants | | | | down to the production car level, mainly in high-end |
| that, you think you've just had a fun little blast on your | | | | vehicles but in due time these composites will begin to |
| favorite bit of road you get pulled over five miles later | | | | appear in the average car, cutting weight and |
| and the officer gives you a speeding ticket for | | | | increasing fuel economy whilst maintaining structural |
| something he didn't see. But if this technology is | | | | rigidity.In the future car designers will have to explore |
| mandatory then what choice do you have.Access to | | | | new themes and find alternative influences for their |
| future automobiles may be very different to the keys | | | | designs. In an effort to catch peoples eye the designs |
| of today, push button code entry and keycard | | | | will have to be increasingly bold and brash often |
| systems where the key doesn't even leave you | | | | sacrificing the aesthetic balance of the design in |
| pocket, already available, will become common place. | | | | attempt to be different in an increasingly 'done before' |
| You hear the term keyless entry but it still uses a | | | | market. This is not to say all designs are going to be |
| remote control attached to a key which is then used | | | | hideous, just some. Another influence to exterior design |
| to start the car. Biometrics which are available on | | | | will be made by law as stricter pedestrian protection |
| some computer systems and use fingerprinting as a | | | | laws are enforced requiring the front ends of cars to |
| password could be an effective alternative to the key, | | | | be 'softer', this thinking has already been introduced on |
| you could even program it for members of your family | | | | some models, overall though it is difficult to project |
| deciding between access only for the children or | | | | how this will ultimately affect the face of car design. |
| access and drive functions for those with licenses. | | | | With the increased use of alternative fuel sources |
| However I belive it will be some time before this is the | | | | such as the hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen |
| only means of vehicle entry or start up, what if you | | | | combustion engine, vehicle bodies may begin reflect |
| are lending your car to a friend and you cannot be | | | | the green nature of their power. However I belive this |
| present to allow start up.Multimedia systems will | | | | to be a mistake. The Honda Insight Hybrid might have |
| continue to develop in cars until the point where the | | | | been more of a success had it not been utterly |
| "are we there yet" phrase develops into "can we stay | | | | repulsive, people were already wary of its power |
| here". Manufacturers are continuing to cram more and | | | | source and to then make them vomit in disgust at its |
| more video screens into increasingly ingenious places | | | | styling is just not intelligent. Why do all the eco-friendly |
| providing a rolling cinematic Dolby 7.0 surround sound | | | | cars look like a 60's psychedelic nightmare, why can't |
| experience. DVDs are going to go the way of the | | | | they just look like a decent concept car with an |
| VCR with hard disk recording of video being the | | | | alternative engine. Things seem to be improving |
| dominant power much as MP3s are killing off CDs. | | | | however and BMW's H2R is an undeniably stunning |
| This MP4 technology will save space in the car and | | | | vehicle if somewhat impractical. And hybrid technology |
| allow for far more footage to be kept on board. | | | | is finding its way into mainstream prodution vehicles as |
| Improvements in wireless Internet connections could | | | | an optional power source.The interior of vehicles will |
| mean that the larger roads can support Internet | | | | also change, becoming more user friendly and |
| capable vehicles and constantly inform the driver with | | | | personalised. Ergonomically positioned controls and |
| up to date relevant road information. A screen in the | | | | lumbar support seats with adjustable everything will |
| dash can display live images to show traffic reports | | | | come as standard to increase driver and passenger |
| and also predict traffic jams by using the GPS | | | | comfort and reduce chronic pain and discomfort. |
| systems in all vehicles to show areas where vehicles | | | | Customisable and personalised interior space will also |
| have been stopped or are congested, and then supply | | | | become desirable features on the future automobile. |
| alternate routes. The sound systems of cars will also | | | | Just as you swap mobile phone covers an entire dash |
| improve and become more personalised for the | | | | could be swapped to match your mood, if your a little |
| various passengers, with headphone sockets and | | | | bigger than average why not fit an XXL seat in two |
| multiple sound outlets, there might be four different | | | | easy steps, the possibilities will be endless in order to |
| radio stations that can be played at once through the | | | | cater for an increasingly demanding |
| different jacks, and a variety of MP3s that can be | | | | consumer.Alternative power sources for vehicles are |
| played at once.Passenger safety is already a priority | | | | becoming ever more popular. Government incentives |
| for modern day car manufacturers and this will only | | | | will eventually force all but the super rich into |
| increase in importance into the future. The widespread | | | | environmentally friendly cars, no problem, by then fuel |
| use of airbags will increase, the side impact protection | | | | cell cars will be just as rapid as their fossil fuel |
| airbags featured in some models have proved to be | | | | counterparts but with none of the mess or stench. |
| extremely effective in saving lives, more research and | | | | However it may take some convincing to get a 'petrol |
| better positioning will continue to improve their | | | | head' to put down his piston and pick up a proton |
| performance and reliability. Airbags at the moment can | | | | exchange membrane cathode, its just not the same is |
| only be deployed once so in a multiple collision crash | | | | it. Eventually common conventional fuel cars will |
| their effectiveness is voided after the first impact, | | | | become classics and extremely sought after by |
| future airbag systems however may take this into | | | | collectors, but not for a long long time.The author, Jeff |
| consideration and incorporate multiple single use | | | | Darling studied transport design at Coventry University |
| airbags in one position or reusable airbags which can | | | | and currently works as a design consultant for small |
| be inflated several times. Some manufacturers use a | | | | engineering companies. |
| dynamic headrest in some high-spec models, these | | | | Jeff also writes for a site covering the latest in |
| move forward during a collision to stop the head | | | | concept vehicles. |