The automotive industry has always been at the forefront of innovation, from the mass production of cars in the late-19th century to the widespread adoption of self-driving technology today. So what is the future of automotive technology? How will these trends develop over the next decade and beyond? And what other innovations might we see in this industry? Let’s look at some of the most exciting developments in automotive technology over the next decade and some that are still developing but may become commonplace much sooner than you think.
From Fuel Efficiency to Driverless
Although industry experts still maintain that petrol remains king when it comes to powering our car engines, green technology has made serious inroads towards a greener transportation future. From hybrid (petrol/electric) vehicles to plug-in hybrids (petrol/electric), and finally pure EVs (electric only), automobiles are getting more environmentally friendly every year.
From ICE Engines to Electrification
The engineering that powers our automobiles is rapidly transforming. From internal combustion engines to hybrid to all-electric, car manufacturers are advancing their products at an increasing rate—and with several technologies not yet explored.
From Manual to Autonomous
Drivers will find the next big leap in automotive technology in vehicle self-driving cars. In decades, smart cars have gone from barely functional to increasingly life-like. The first automobile was created in 1885 by Carl Benz. For over a century, automobiles have driven themselves entirely with manual controls.
However, new technology has been ushering in an era of automated driving for the automotive industry in recent years. By 2025, there will be over 125 million automated vehicles on roads worldwide – says research from SAE International, which estimates that by 2040 between 10% and 25% of all miles driven globally will be on driverless cars or taxis.
From Personal Mobility to People Moving
Self-driving car technology promises a future of personal mobility. People will be able to drive where they want—and when they want—or they can even choose not to drive at all. Most people love driving but recognize that it’s also a costly activity that takes away from other valuable aspects of life.
Autonomous driving will greatly reduce accidents caused by human error. Cars are responsible for more than 1.3 million deaths each year—roughly one death every 60 seconds.
From Car Ownership to On-Demand Mobility
Self-driving cars are here to stay. But how will they alter how we commute? By 2025, we estimate that approximately 2% of total miles driven globally will be on autonomous vehicles. Automotive experts also predict that private car ownership will be on its way out by then as well. Millennials will account for 70% of all autonomous vehicle owners by 2025; millennials already prefer to use apps such as Uber and Lyft over their own personal vehicles.
Ultimately, a number of new cost-effective and safe technologies will propel us into a transportation future that is completely different from what we have today. According to Universal Technical Institute, you can “Learn by doing during your automotive mechanic training as you take on the maintenance and repair of both import and domestic vehicles.”
