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Model Year 2050 – what to expect in 30 years

In the 1950s, carmakers envisioned sleek cars with advanced powertrains and autonomous operation on the roads of the 21^st century while futurists and science fiction writers imagined flying cars. Well, we have the sleek designs with advanced powertrains due to make changes in this decade as electric motors take over from the internal combustion engine. But flying cars have yet to be available in showrooms although there have been developments in recent years with prototypes taking to the air.

UK’s Auto Trader takes a look at what vehicles might look like 30 years from now with concept designs based on the expertise of futurologist Tom Cheesewright, market trends, the rate of technological development and research into consumer demand.

“Tomorrow’s car takes you from A to B with minimum fuss and in maximum style. Future technologies will give designers free reign to create more space and comfort, so that we can get on with our lives while an AI assistant takes care of the driving. While our cars won’t be flying any time soon, we can all benefit from cleaner, quieter, safer roads. In just twenty years, the age of the combustion engine will be well and truly over,” predicts Cheesewright.

AT Timeline — *Past, present and future of the motorcar and motoring*

Digital paint for different colours
Auto Trader’s 2050 concept car is a fully electric, colour-changing vehicle with space for passengers to make the most of the time they spend in the autonomous vehicle – by relaxing, doing yoga and even sleeping during the commute. Featuring ‘digital paint’, the car allows passengers to change the colour and style of the car from the tap of an app, depending on their mood, with advances in technology meaning this feature could be widely available as early as the year 2040.

Designed to be a home away from home, passengers can relax and unwind on the built-in mattress in the centre of the spacious cabin – a feature which 24% of motorists said they’d use for catching up on much-needed sleep and a cheeky 13% of men would use for some intimate time with a partner.

Reading or watching TV on the move
Drivers also said they’d like to reclaim their commute time by delving into a good book from the built-in library (22%) or watching their favourite Netflix shows and movies from the large in-built TV screen (19%).

Other popular recreational uses for the spacious design include beating friends and family at board games (16%), getting hair and make-up done on the way to an event (15% of women would do this), and 4% would even practice yoga whilst in transit.

AI assistant
Catering to the 10% of drivers who want cars to be fully voice-operated in future, the car welcomes passengers with a friendly AI (Artificial Intelligence) assistant that helps them set their preferred driving speed and style, whether out for a leisurely Sunday drive or rushing home for dinner. Given that the car is likely to be operating autonomously, rushing will not be done recklessly so an accident is unlikely to occur.

The 2050 car is fitted with windows that extend right over the roof in one large bubble, offering more head room to allow passengers to freely move around during transit. It also features 360-degree panoramic views for those wanting to sit back, relax and enjoy an autonomous ride, plus black-out functionality on the windows, which can be activated with a quick tap.

Auto Trader Concept 2050 — *All images and Timeline provided by Auto Trader UK.*

Rinspeed MetroSnap concept – different bodies for different needs

Human drivers use two eyes, autonomous cars need three eyes

Human beings have two eyes to view their surroundings as they drive, sending images to the brain which then makes the necessary decisions to brake or avoid hazards. When an on-board computer takes over the entire job of operating an autonomous car, two ‘eyes’ are not enough and a third sensor is needed. The first two eyes – already in use – are the camera and radar and the third is a long-range lidar sensor for light detection and ranging.

Bosch has a production-ready lidar system that is suitable for automotive use. This laser-based distance measurement technology is indispensable for driving functions at SAE Levels 3 to 5 (the different levels of autonomy). The new sensor will cover both long and close ranges – on highways and in the city.

By exploiting economies of scale, Bosch aims to reduce the price for the sophisticated technology and make it affordable for the mass market. “By filling the sensor gap, Bosch is making automated driving a viable possibility in the first place,” said Bosch Management Board Member, Harald Kroeger.

Alert to all automated driving situations
Only the parallel deployment of three sensor principles ensures that automated driving will offer maximum safety when it is available. This has been confirmed by Bosch analyses, where developers investigated all use cases of automated driving functions – from highway assist to fully automated driving in cities.

For example, if a motorcycle approaches an automated vehicle at high speed at a junction, lidar is needed in addition to camera and radar to ensure the reliable sensing of the two-wheeler. In this instance, radar can struggle to detect the bike’s narrow silhouette and plastic fairings. Moreover, a camera can always be dazzled by harsh light falling on it. As such, there is a need for radar, camera, and lidar, with the three technologies complementing each other perfectly and delivering reliable information in every driving situation.

Lidar is an essential element
We can think of laser as a ‘third eye’: in lidar systems, the sensor emits laser pulses and captures the laser light that is scattered back. The system then calculates distances based on the measured time it takes for the light to bounce back. Lidar offers very high resolution with a long range and a wide field of vision. As a result, the laser-based distance measurement tool can reliably detect even non-metallic objects at a great distance, such as rocks on the road. This means there is plenty of time to initiate driving manoeuvres such as braking or swerving.

At the same time, using lidar in vehicles exposes the lidar system’s components, such as the detector and the laser, to many stresses – above all, with regard to temperature resistance and reliability over the vehicle’s entire lifetime. Because Bosch can draw on its sensor expertise and systems know-how in the fields of radar and camera technology when developing the lidar, the company can ensure that all three sensor technologies dovetail with each other.

“We want to make automated driving safe, convenient, and fascinating. In this way, we will be making a decisive contribution to the mobility of the future,” said Kroeger. Bosch’s long-range lidar will fulfil all safety requirements for automated driving as well as enable automakers to efficiently integrate the technology into a very wide range of vehicle types in the future.

Artificial intelligence makes systems even safer
Recently, Bosch engineers succeeded in taking the camera technology used in cars to a new level by enhancing it with artificial intelligence. The camera technology detects objects, categorizes them into classes such as vehicles, pedestrians, or bicycles, and measures their movement. In congested urban traffic, the camera can also recognize and classify partially obscured or crossing vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists quickly and reliably. This allows the vehicle to trigger a warning or an emergency braking manoeuvre as required.

The engineers are also continuously refining radar technology. The latest generation of Bosch radar sensors is even better at capturing the vehicle’s surroundings – even in bad weather or poor light conditions. Their greater detection range, wide aperture, and high angular separability are the basis for this improved performance.

High-tech Virtual Sunvisor you can see through!

The sunvisor as we know it has been around since the earliest days of the motorcar, at least after the driver had the protection of a body around the seating area. While the windscreen glass prevented the onrush of wind from causing discomfort and affecting vision, it did not stop the rays of the sun from blinding the driver.

Back then, drivers must have attached some sort of board to the upper part of the windscreen to block the sun. Later on, when carmakers realised it was something to address, they provided a small panel which could flip up when not needed. In the 1970s, a ball joint was used at one corner so the sunvisor could be flipped to the side so that it could also block the sunshine if it was not coming from the front.

The sunvisor is one of those things in a car which has never evolved, maybe because its function is so basic. Other than adding a mirror (some with illumination) and sleeves to store cards or papers, the sunvisor is the same as what it was decades ago.

Bosch Virtual Visor — *Driving towards the evening sun can often be blinding, even with a sunvisor. This innovation could eliminate the discomfort (and danger to driving).*

Blocks the sun but not the view
Now a group of engineers at Bosch have come out with an innovation for sunvisor design which can block the sun without also blocking a driver’s view of the road. It achieves this by using an LCD panel instead of the usual cardboard or foam-filled panel. The panel can be flipped up when not needed.

There’s also a camera which is pointed at the driver’s face to recognise facial features like the nose, mouth, and, most importantly, the eyes. The camera’s video feed allows a computer to use AI to recognise shadows on the driver’s eyes and darkens only the areas on the visor where the sunlight is strong. The AI varies the darkening and generally, there should be enough areas that are not darkened for the driver to have a clear view ahead.

The Virtual Visor, as it is referred to, is not an official Bosch product yet. It was shown at the CES 2020 and described as a project which three of the company’s engineers worked on in their free time. If the company sees potential to commercialise it, then it would have to go through stringent development processes to ensure durability, safety and all the things that carmakers will demand if they are to adopt it.

Honda e previews connectivity features you could get tomorrow

CONNECTIVITY. It’s a term you hear often these days in descriptions of new models. It refers to the seamless integration between advanced technologies for infotainment and the portable devices that the car’s occupants have, as well as connecting to the world outside the car.

The earliest ‘connectivity’ feature would have been the radio, receiving broadcasts of music and news from stations as the car moved along. Then with the advent of the cellular mobilephone, 2-way communications became possible. And with the internet and wireless broadband, connectivity meant being able to connect to the World Wide Web and use the same services and applications you use on your computer or tablet.

Connectivity is becoming very important and sophisticated with the coming era of autonomous cars. Not only must cars communicate with the outside world efficiently and safely but the occupants must also have the best connectivity since they will be involved in the driving less (or not at all).

Benchmark in connectivity features
Honda, like other carmakers, has already many connectivity features in its current models and is developing even more. The new Honda e EV to got on sale in Europe this year sets a new benchmark in this area with connected infotainment which helps the car to integrate with the owner’s lifestyle through sophisticated, easy-to-use technology.

As a result, the driver and passengers – whether the car is driving, parked or charging – can enjoy the same connectivity and comfort with comprehensive connected services accessed through a next-generation full-width digital dashboard.

“Our objective for the Honda e was that the simple exterior style continues inside. The overall interior atmosphere combined with exceptional comfort by using familiar materials such as wood grain and textured fabric, is reminiscent of a modern living room.” explained Kohei Hitomi, Large Project Leader for the Honda e. “In this modern, relaxing environment, occupants can effortlessly engage with advanced connected technology such as the camera mirror system and dual touchscreen display that is highly sophisticated, but incredibly easy to use.”

Full-width digital dashboard
The Honda e’s full-width digital dashboard is designed for effortless usability of connected apps and services. Five integrated high-resolution colour screens together occupy the entire width of the car’s interior.

The Side Camera Mirror System screens are ergonomically placed at either end of the dashboard to ensure a natural feel and vision for the driver, while the Centre Camera Mirror System display relays the image from a central rear-facing camera, further increasing the driver’s field of vision.

An 8.8-inch TFT meter instrument display in front of the driver presents key vehicle information including power and charge status, drive mode selected and safety feature details.

Dual screens display connected services
The largest area of the full-width digital dashboard is occupied by dual 12.3-inch LCD touchscreens. These are the primary infotainment displays, presenting a range of intelligent applications and services. This sophisticated interface is highly intuitive, customisable, and has been designed for ultimate usability to elevate the car beyond being a means of transportation to become fully integrated into the owner’s modern connected life.

The interface features familiar smartphone-style usability, with swipe controls to browse recently used applications. Content can easily be swapped across the two screens, enabling the driver to utilise content on both screens with simplicity and ease. This function allows the passenger to swipe content such as navigation instructions into the driver’s eye line. And because the dual screen set-up allows two applications to be displayed side-by-side, the driver and front passenger can independently select and view separate apps. For example, while the driver follows navigation instructions, the front passenger can search for a music playlist.

AI-powered connectivity
Connected services and applications can also be accessed using voice commands via the Honda Personal Assistant. The intuitive Honda Personal Assistant is a smart artificial intelligence (AI) service that uses unique contextual understanding to create natural conversations and provide access to a range of online services.

The Honda Personal Assistant is activated by saying ‘OK Honda’, followed by the question or instruction. Machine learning enables the technology to develop a greater understanding of individuals’ voice over time, helping it to deliver more accurate responses.

The comprehensive suite of in-built apps can be supplemented by smartphone mirroring, via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. These systems enable users to view social media, music and other internet services on the dual touchscreens. When the car is parked – even when charging – the occupants can also watch video content and access the internet on their own mobile devices using the built-in wifi hotspot.

*Prototypes of the all-electric Honda e to go on sale in Europe before the end of 2019*

Smartphone application for remote access
Owners can still stay connected to their car remotely through a smartphone application when they step out. The service focusses on the user journey, with easy navigation to access charging functions, detailed vehicle status, climate control, security and location monitoring. Additional connectivity and EV-specific functions include battery charge control and range monitor, while charging station and navigation search results can be sent to the car from a mobile device.

The Honda e is also accessible using a digital key, allowing the car to be locked and unlocked via the app. Safety alerts can notify owners if it moved outside of a set ‘geofence’ zone.

The Honda e is initially intended for sale in European markets. Honda’s plan for the next decade is to have a substantial portion of its vehicle sales made up of battery electric vehicles. Connectivity technologies in the Honda e are likely to be adopted in new models in coming years so the next City or CR-V you buy may have some of the features you just read about.

Visit www.honda.com.my to read about models you can buy in Malaysia today.

VW says AI no threat to mankind

The advancement in autonomous tech have lead many automakers to create their own in-house data centres filled with powerful computers. That said, we shouldn’t expect a Skynet-like artificial intelligence (AI) revolution in the near future – atleast that’s what Prof. Dr. Patrick van der Smagt, Head of AI Research at the VW’s Data Lab says.

The centre is currently working on machine learning, enabling programs to link data, analyze interconnections and make predictions. But the company’s long term plan is to invest time and energy into neural networking. Through this, they will be able to make use of probability theory.

VW will have the ability to enable algorithms to learn by always independently taking the optimum decision from the mathematical point of view in real-time. Evidently, this is a far-cry from the robotic apocalypse movies like ‘The Terminator’ would have us believe about artificial intelligence.

Van Dee Smart says that its human nature that we subconsciously attribute human behavior or even consciousness to systems such as this. But the reality of it is, the algorithm learns by examining the intended data by utilising the laws of mathematical probability. In layman’s terms, computers will become increasingly better at mathematics.

One of Data Labs’ missions is to explore the possibilities of independent learning algorithms. This is because the technology has a wide array of applications including helping skilled workers control complex logistics and production processes even more effectively.

So, will there be an android uprising in the near future? According to VW, that won’t be possible. All AI systems are capable of at the moment, is examining data, and making computational predictions to shorten and simplify processes.

Piston.my

AI

Model Year 2050 – what to expect in 30 years

Human drivers use two eyes, autonomous cars need three eyes

High-tech Virtual Sunvisor you can see through!

Honda e previews connectivity features you could get tomorrow

VW says AI no threat to mankind

Volkswagen Integrates ChatGPT AI Into Its Voice Assistant

Mercedes-Benz Melangkah ke Masa Depan dengan Inovasi Digital Terkini

Polestar 3 Will Have Driver Monitoring Technology From Smart Eye

Audi Uses Artificial Intelligence For Wheel Design

ABB Robotics offers revolutionary game-changing painting technology for personalisation

Brembo’s new SENSIFY system uses artificial intelligence for better braking performance

Czinger 21C hypercar ready to go into production with final spec confirmed

BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe becomes ‘The Ultimate AI Masterpiece’

Daihatsu, Mazda, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota to jointly develop specifications for vehicle communications devices

Human Horizons HiPhi X being readied for launch at Beijing Auto Show next month

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