In just three decades time, you could be travelling into space in an elevator guided by a 60,000-mile cable.
You will, according to a new online tool, depart from the equator in an enclosure, before travelling a quarter of the way to the moon.
Does this sound like something from Roald Dahl’s world of pure imagination? Not according to a leading distributor of electronics and maintenance products.
Its interactive tool allows you to input your age to reveal what the future of transport has in store for you.
If RS Components’ tool is anything to go by, conventional cars are so yesterday.
Elon Musk’s six-mile vacuum tunnel could arrive as early as next year. Hyperloop aims to transport people underground in high-speed pods, reaching speeds of up to 700 mph.
Five years later, you could be travelling to work by SkyTran, a self-driving monorail designed to to hover 20ft above roads. Commuters could travel up to 150 mph using only the amount of energy it takes to power a pair of hairdryers.
There are SkyTran test tracks in California and Tel Aviv, with another full-scale facility under construction in Texas.
By 2035, there’s a chance you could be flying on hypersonic planes travelling at five times the speed of sound. Flying from London, you could be in Sydney in 4.5 hours, which is faster than some people’s daily commute.
The Roald Dahl-style elevator is expected to arrive in 2050, by which time some of us will be as mobile as Charlie Bucket’s grandfather.
Hypersonic planes and self-driving bicycles
Futurist Dr Ian Pearson said: “Development is currently underway on hypersonic planes – ones that travel faster than five times the speed of sound.
”Although initially aimed at the military, civil versions will eventually come and London to Sydney could become a 4.5 hour journey.”
Dr Pearson’s website makes for some very interesting reading. For example, the good doctor sees a future for self-driving bicycles.
On the subject, he said: “Self-driving bikes would be good for lazy riders who don’t even want the effort of steering, but their auto-routing capability would also help any rider who simply wants navigation service, and presumably some riders with disabilities that make balancing difficult, and of course the propulsion is potentially welcome for any cyclist who doesn’t want to arrive sweaty or who is tiring of a long hill.
”Best of all, the bikes could find their own way to a bike park when not needed, balancing the numbers of available bikes according to local demand at any time.“
Still want that ‘Boris Bike’?
https://i0.wp.com/www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Space-elevator.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=110801920Gavin Braithwaite-Smithhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mr-top-motoring.svgGavin Braithwaite-Smith2019-12-03 09:45:502019-12-03 09:45:50New tool predicts when you'll be travelling into space by elevator
When car technology makes the national news, it’s rarely attached to a positive story. The release last week of footage featuring a new luxury car being stolen with ease, due to its keyless entry system, will have caused pangs of worry for those with similar cars. And although news of the ‘relay theft’ method had been raised previously, seeing it occur on video makes it much more real.
Before this came to light, paranoia as to whether the keyless system automatically locked the car when walking away was possibly the biggest security concern. Not anymore. Modern convenience features like keyless entry are meant to make life easier, but the fear of your car being stolen without criminals even needing the physical keys starts places a question mark over the benefits.
Yes, it might be useful for your car to automatically unlock as you approach – and do the same as you leave – but was a momentary ‘blip’ with a key fob causing consumers such undue hardship? Oh, and there’s also the issue of where to put the typically huge key, in a car now without a receptacle for it.
So while a traditional central-locking key might have been mildly inconvenient, at least it didn’t allow criminals to quietly remove your car from your drive. Or leave a questionable bulge in your pocket.
A touchy subject
The widespread adoption of touchscreen multimedia systems has allowed manufacturers to cram controls for multiple systems into one place. It’s eliminated the need for countless buttons, letting designers create impressively minimalist interiors. But they cause multiple challenges for drivers.
Combine a modern vehicle featuring stiff ‘sporty’ suspension with a touchscreen system, and changing settings becomes more akin to ‘pin the tail on the donkey’ than a seamless user experience. It’s notable that although controllers like BMW’s iDrive were derided when new, they are often still the preferred solution in premium machines – offering the benefit of direct feedback between driver and car.
Voice command is mooted as a solution to fiddling with buttons or scrolling through touchscreens or media menus. And the latest systems have progressed a long way, with the ability to recognise and learn individual accents.
Yet voice commands are still far from infallible, and often add multiple steps to confirm even simple actions, making them less efficient than using steering wheel-mounted controls or dashboard buttons. It risks being a gimmick that drivers might try once, then never use again.
Conversely, our love for – and reliance on – satellite navigation may become a distracting obsession. A number of high-profile accidents, caused by drivers either paying too much attention to sat nav units, or slavishly following them into danger, demonstrates the pitfalls. That the Driving & Vehicle Standards Agency has felt the need to update the driving test to include taking direction from sat navs also illustrates the importance of the issue.
It might also show how slowly the wheels of bureaucracy turn, given that standalone sat navs, like those included in the driving test, are becoming obsolete due to smartphone-based apps. Whatever type of sat nav is used, it has arguably made visiting new destinations simpler, even if it has created other problems as a result.
Sensitivity training
Unintended consequences have also created new cars reliant on parking sensors and cameras, as modern vehicle designs create blind spots and hamper visibility. With protruding noses to meet crash-test requirements, plus pillar-box-like rear windows as a by-product of sweeping rooflines, cameras and sensors are almost mandatory for manoeuvring many new cars.
This might well be a successful case of using technology to solve a new problem. Nevertheless, it makes drivers reliant on features to undertake basic tasks that millions managed unaided for decades.
Internet of things
Tesla has been praised for the use of over-the-air software updates, meaning tweaks and changes can be made to cars without the need to visit a dealership. This has even included adding an ‘Insane mode’ to performance versions, but also other operating system tweaks such as updating maps – or even the range of adjustment on the headrests.
It again marks Tesla out as having more in common with a tech company, rather than traditional car manufacturer. Using over-the-air updates will be familiar to anyone who owns a smartphone, even if it does bring an inevitable lack of familiarity when a new operating system changes things overnight.
The practicality of fixing flaws and problems without needing to take a car to a dealership is unquestionably a benefit. However, it also opens the possibility for companies to dishonestly cover their tracks. Imagine a ‘dieselgate’ situation, where purely over-the-air software changes could have been used to make all cars compliant with legislation, and the temptation becomes apparent.
The march of new car technology is not going to stop, and the rise of autonomous abilities will make future cars ever more complicated. In itself, this doesn’t have to be a bad thing, and a self-driving destiny has the potential to make commuting and city driving substantially easier.
However, engineers, designers and marketing staff need to ensure they put making the lives of those buying cars easier and safer as priorities. Pointless gimmicks, or technology that is fatally flawed, will do little to make buyers ready to trust their car with more advanced driving tasks – including actually chauffeuring them around.
https://i0.wp.com/www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/is_new_car_tech_useful_003.jpg?fit=1800%2C1200&ssl=112001800John Redfernhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mr-top-motoring.svgJohn Redfern2017-12-06 10:45:122017-12-06 10:50:25Opinion: Does new car technology really make our lives easier?
Apple has announced a feature which will automatically block all notifications when you’re driving – and can even text your friends to tell them you’re busy.
Revealed at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in California, the Do Not Disturb While Driving feature monitors the speed you’re travelling at and whether it’s connected to a car’s infotainment system to determine whether you’re at the wheel.
If it thinks you’re driving, all notifications will be temporarily blocked and an automatic response – already set up in your settings – will be sent to anyone who texts during this time. If that person really needs to get through to you, they can respond to the auto-response with the word ‘urgent’ and a one-off notification will be allowed through.
Naturally, it’s difficult for the iPhone to tell if its owner is driving or just a passenger in a car. It’s possible for the mode to over overruled by pressing an ‘I’m not driving’ button.
The feature will be rolled out across all iPhones with the iOS 11 operating system when it arrives later this year.
It follows a number of cases in North America where motorists injured in crashes caused by distracted drivers have filed law suits against Apple.
Andrew Bradyhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mr-top-motoring.svgAndrew Brady2017-06-06 08:49:572017-06-06 08:49:57Apple announces 'do not disturb' driving mode for iPhone
A lorry-load of Budweiser beer has successfully been transported 120 miles across the US state of Colorado without the aid of a human driver.
The company behind the stunt, San Francisco tech start-up Otto, says it is ‘rethinking transportation’. It’s aiming to reduce both costs and cut the number of crashes involving long-distance lorry drivers by introducing driverless trucks.
Working with US brewing company Anheuser-Busch and with the support from the state of Colorado, a self-driving Volvo truck hauling a fully-laden trailer of Budweiser beer travelled 120 miles along the highway from Fort Collins to Denver.
“The incredible success of this pilot shipment is an example of what is possible when you deploy self-driving technology. It also showcases the importance of collaboration with forward-looking states like Colorado and innovative companies like Anheuser-Busch,” said Otto Co-Founder Lior Ron.
“By embracing this technology, both organisations are actively contributing to the creation of a safer and more efficient transportation network. We are excited to have reached this milestone together, and look forward to further rolling out our technology on the nation’s highways.”
A professional truck driver was in the cabin ready to take over during the experiment, but he didn’t have to take control from the driverless lorry at any point.
Otto says the majority of crashes on US roads are caused by human error, and by taking the human element away the road network could be considerably safer.
It also suggests that a shortage of drivers is putting pressure on truck drivers to work long hours, a risky strategy that could be combated using autonomous vehicles.
“Anheuser-Busch is passionate about innovation and exploring ways to improve the safety, sustainability, and efficiency of the industries our business touches,” said Anheuser-Busch’s senior director, logistics strategy, James Sembrot.
“We admire Otto’s vision that will shape the future of self-driving transportation. As we continue to partner with long-haul carriers to ship our beers, we hope to see this technology widely deployed across our highways to improve safety for all road users and work towards a low-emissions future.”
https://i1.wp.com/www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/02_truck.jpg?fit=1800%2C1200&ssl=112001800Andrew Bradyhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mr-top-motoring.svgAndrew Brady2016-10-26 16:59:392016-10-26 16:59:39Driverless truck lugs trailer full of beer for 120 miles
Thinking of splashing out on a new car to enjoy the latest tech – think again. We’ve put together a list of retrofit gadgets that will turn your existing motor into a technological powerhouse, making you the envy of all your mates. Stick with us as we teach your old car some new tricks.
Sat nav
Thanks to the arrival of smartphone mirroring and touchscreen infotainment systems, it’s never been easier to secure a sat nav in a new car, but it remains a costly business. Order a Dacia Sandero in plush Laureate trim and the Media Nav Evolution navigation system will set you back £300. Alternatively, opt for the Audi A3 SE and you’ll need to find £495 for the excellent MMI Navigation. Fortunately, aftermarket sat navs are more cost-effective and you won’t need to worry about it being obsolete in a few years time
We’ve been using a Garmin DriveSmart 50, which is about as thin as a tablet and available in three different sizes: 5-inch, 6-inch and 7-inch. In entry-level 5-inch guise, it’s a bit on the small side compared to modern infotainment systems, but as it’s Bluetooth enabled, you can ask for directions via voice command.
It also features driver alerts, such as the whereabouts of speed cameras, dangerous corners and animal crossing points. You need not worry about upgrades and the sat nav becoming obsolete, because you get a lifetime of free map and traffic avoidance updates. At the time of writing, the Garmin DriveSmart 50 5-inch is available for the reduced price of £143.99, although there are many other sat navs available.
This is one in-car gadget that might put you ahead of your friends and neighbours – an in-car coffee machine. The Handpresso Auto is the self-proclaimed ‘espresso machine for the car’, and it does exactly what it says on the box.
Plug it into your car’s 12v socket, fill it with cold water, add an Easy Serving Espresso (ESE) pod and – two minutes later – a fresh espresso is served. The Handpresso Auto is designed to fit most cupholders and it could save you a fortune on takeaway coffees.
The Handpresso Auto will set you back £133, which is the equivalent of 80 or so takeaway espressos, and while you do need to factor in the cost of ESE pods, it is possible to use your favourite ground coffee. If you spend much of your time on the road, and too much money in coffee shops, this could be classed as a must-have accessory.
Until relatively recently, a car cupholder wasn’t a thing. Climb aboard a car from the 80s or 90s and you might be disappointed to find nowhere to put your energy drink. But don’t worry, because help is at hand in the form of an aftermarket cupholder, which you can buy for not much more than the price of an overpriced takeaway coffee. Sadly, it won’t be as cool as the cupholder in a Saab 9-5 (pictured).
Under new rules likely to come in next year, motorists will receive six points on their licence and a £200 fine if they’re caught using a mobile phone at the wheel. While many new cars are fitted with Bluetooth connectivity, an older car will need upgrading if you want to make and receive calls on the move. A Parrot Minikit Neo 2 HD costs less than £80 and features HD sound quality, plus an ability to switch between two phones.
The digital radio switchover could happen as soon as 2017, meaning traditional FM/AM receivers will be about as useful as a chocolate fireguard. Not a problem if you own one of the 90% of new cars fitted with a DAB digital radio, but not so good if you’re making do with an old head unit. There are many options available if you fancy listening to DAB radio in an old car, including adapters and entirely new systems. Some companies will even retrofit a DAB system to an old unit, which will appeal to classic car owners who favour originality.
Adding an alarm and immobiliser will not only secure your car, it might save you money on your car insurance. Some systems also offer options such as remote central locking and automatic window/sunroof closure, adding additional convenience.
Once upon a time, a cigarette lighter – or cigar lighter, if your car was a bit posh – was a sign that you’d splashed out on a higher trim level. You can make use of what might otherwise be a dormant socket by converting it into a USB charger. For just a few pounds you can charge one, two, three or even four accessories on the move. New life for the cigarette lighter!
These days, Apple CarPlay is available on everything from a Suzuki Baleno to a Ferrari GTC4Lusso, but don’t feel that you have to buy new in order to enjoy the joys of seamless iPhone connectivity. The Pioneer SPH-DA120 offers a 6.2-inch touchscreen, GPS, Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay – simply plug in and play. It’s available from Halfords for £329.
General Motors was the first carmaker to introduce a head-up display (HUD), with a system debuting on the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. Once the preserve of premium motors, HUD has filtered down to more humble vehicles, while it’s also possible to retro-fit a system to just about any car. The Garmin Head-Up Display receives navigation information from your smartphone and projects it onto a transparent film on the car’s windscreen. It’s compatible with the Navigon and Streetpilot apps.
These days, a dashcam might be considered less of an accessory and more of an essential requirement. Not only will it provide evidence in the event of an accident, it can also reduce the cost of your insurance. Prices start from around £50, although for £160 you can buy a ‘world first’ rear-view mirror camera, which also features forward collision and lane departure warning systems
Compared to new cars, many older vehicles may as well be running with candles perched on the edge of the front wings. Upgrading the headlight bulbs is a cost-effective way of improving visibility and staying safe. For example, a pair of Philips X-treme Vision bulbs will provide up to 130% more light, with a 45m longer beam, while a pair of Osram Night Breakers will add 110% and 35m respectively. Bank on paying between £20 and £30.
The AA recommends you check your tyre pressures every couple of weeks, but how many of us remember to do so? Maplin offers a Bluetooth tyre pressure monitoring system, similar to that used in new cars. It monitors real time tyre pressure and temperature, and comes with an app for automatic monitoring and instant alerts. Yours for £149.99.
If you’re one of the many motorists who don’t enjoy parking, help is at hand from as little as £10. This might seem like a small price to pay for an aftermarket reversing sensor, but the reviews appear to stack up. The only problem – you’ll have to fit it yourself, although the reviewers endorse the claim that the system is “easy to install”. Worth a look?
Alternatively, you can watch where you’re going with an aftermarket reversing camera. We found one on the Maplin website, complete with 3.5-inch colour monitor and automatic switching when reverse gear is engaged. It costs £84.99, but at the time of writing this price has been reduced to £64.99.
If you like the comfort of a warm bottom on a winter’s morning, you’ll be pleased to know it’s possible to retro-fit heated seats to the front seats of most vehicles. Heating elements are placed between the upholstery and the seat cover, without altering the shape or look of the seat. Why not go the whole hog and add lumbar support?
If you run your sat nav via a smartphone or modern system, the chances are you already enjoy the benefits of real-time traffic monitoring. If not, it’s worth considering Waze, which claims to be ‘the world’s largest community-based traffic and navigation app’. Using insight from other motorists, Waze suggests the fastest and most optimal route possible to any destination. Best of all, it’s free!
This is one example of where an older car can stay ahead of the game. Rear-seat entertainment systems are fine, but technology moves on at such a rate, they’re soon outdated and outmoded. Besides, consumers want portability, so why not install a seat-back tablet mount – so you can take your entertainment with you? We found one for as little as £10.
Turn your car into a wi-fi hotspot to provide your passengers with internet access while on the move. EE offers a 4G wi-fi, allowing users to check newsfeeds, stream music, play online games or post social updates commenting on your poor driving skills. The system supports up to 10 wi-fi-enabled devices at once, and there are various tariffs available.
If your car was registered after 2004, you should be able to fit a TomTom Curfer. By plugging into your car’s OBD port, the Curfer links to your smartphone to provide feedback on your driving technique and your car’s performance. Curfer scores acceleration, cornering, braking and idling in real-time, along with detailed data on your car’s battery voltage, oil temperature and engine load. It’s geek heaven for £59.
Combine all of the above and we reckon you could turn your old motor into a techno powerhouse for around £1,500. Considering the Dacia Sandero Access – Britain’s cheapest new car – costs £5,995, and that doesn’t even have a radio, we think that represents excellent value for money. Alternatively, nip out and spend a shed load of cash on a BMW 7 Series or Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
https://i0.wp.com/www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/1_Modernise_Old_Car.jpg?fit=1366%2C768&ssl=17681366Gavin Braithwaite-Smithhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mr-top-motoring.svgGavin Braithwaite-Smith2016-10-05 16:10:312016-10-05 16:10:31How to modernise your old car
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off made the rogue car park valet infamous but it’s not something 2015 Chevrolet Corvette owners need worry about thanks to an enhanced Valet Mode setting. Read more
https://i2.wp.com/www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2015-Corvette-Valet-Mode-001-1.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1427640Richard Aucockhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mr-top-motoring.svgRichard Aucock2014-08-21 11:26:122014-08-21 11:26:122015 Chevrolet Corvette lets owners spy on the car valet
Jaguar has released the first image of the 2015 XE saloon’s interior in a preview of the new BMW 3 Series-fighting car’s ‘fully connected’ on-board technology. Read more
For those who’ve ever wished they could race against the videogame ghost car in real life, Jaguar Land Rover has showcased new tech that could make it a reality: the Virtual Windscreen. Read more
https://i0.wp.com/www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Jaguar-Virtual-windscreen-Ghost-640x360-1.jpg?fit=640%2C360&ssl=1360640Richard Aucockhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mr-top-motoring.svgRichard Aucock2014-07-10 06:36:582014-07-10 06:36:58Jaguar Virtual Windscreen: gamer ghost car is virtual reality
Car industry parts supplier Bosch says the diesel driver of today is spending at least £360 a less a year on fuel – and putting out 21% fewer pollutants as they go.
https://i2.wp.com/www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/1395050845447-Bosch-common-rail-diesel-injection-system-1.jpg?fit=640%2C360&ssl=1360640Richard Aucockhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/mr-top-motoring.svgRichard Aucock2014-03-17 15:03:262014-03-17 15:03:26Diesel saves drivers a pound a day in a decade
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Thinking of splashing out on a new car to enjoy the latest tech – think again. We’ve put together a list of retrofit gadgets that will turn your existing motor into a technological powerhouse, making you the envy of all your mates. Stick with us as we teach your old car some new tricks.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off made the rogue car park valet infamous but it’s not something 2015 Chevrolet Corvette owners need worry about thanks to an enhanced Valet Mode setting. 
Jaguar has released the first image of the 2015 XE saloon’s interior in a preview of the new BMW 3 Series-fighting car’s ‘fully connected’ on-board technology. 
For those who’ve ever wished they could race against the videogame ghost car in real life, Jaguar Land Rover has showcased new tech that could make it a reality: the Virtual Windscreen. 
Porsche Classic has launched a new range of engine oil specifically for its classic air-cooled flat-four and flat-six engines. 
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