If Transportation Concepts Succeed, Don’t Count on Your Commute to Stay the Same.
If Elon Musk's Hyperloop becomes a reality, commuting from Los Angeles to San Francisco could become a 30-minute ride from what will essentially be a train station.
In addition to the Hyperloop, Flying cars, Loop subway systems, transforming ride-share vehicles and self-driving vehicles are all transportation concepts being explored and developed for the near future.
"If you had an app to request a five-minute flight and skip all the tunnels to get out of New York City, that's a huge opportunity," said Sam Korus, an ARK Invest analyst who has studied flying cars.
Read the article at CNN Tech.
Redesigned Chevy Silverado: A Truck for Every Purse and Purpose
Later this year, the new Chevrolet Silverado will be available in eight different trim levels paired with six engine and transmission combinations, including a surprising new powertrain: a 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with fuel-saving technology.
But if you think it will be underpowered, think again: Chevrolet says the new 2.7-liter engine is more powerful and efficient than the 4.3-liter V6 it replaces, delivering 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque.
“A major focus of the next-generation Silverado is expanding the range of choices,” said Tim Asoklis, chief engineer for the Silverado 1500. “With all-new engines and a broader model range, there’s a Silverado for everyone, whether you’re buying your first pickup or your tenth.”
Read the article at Forbes.
Don’t Forget Public Transportation When Talking About the Future
When thinking about the future of public transportation, many people skip right to flying cars, jetpacks, electric and autonomous vehicles. Maybe it has to do with the obstacles that stand in the way of making public transportation better.
Fixing public transportation requires cooperation, planning, and the acceptance of the community. Ideas are voted on. Careers are wagered. That sometimes makes it hard to separate the ideas from the politics.
"Meanwhile, flashy “future of transportation” ideas enjoy the freedom of being removed from those burdens. They’re usually proposed with the caveat that mundane problems like “regulation” or “funding” will naturally be solved along the way if the idea is good enough."
Read the article at The Verge.
Autonomous Vehicle Success Will Depend on You
The success and customization of autonomous vehicles will depend on the needs of the user - the first things that will be deleted are the steering wheel and other controls to allow for more room and more configurations - the sky is the limit.
The price of self-driving cars is predicted to come down enough for it to make sense for someone in a rural area buying a vehicle to make it easier to get around, such as seniors or those who may be physically challenged.
"Ride sharing business is expected to drive down the cost of self-driving cars in the future," Mike Abelson, GM vice president of global strategy said. GM and others have suggested for some time now that the relationship between automakers producing self-driving cars and ride-sharing companies would be symbiotic.
Read the article at The Detroit Bureau.
The Future of Cars: Deal Breakers and Deal Makers
In transportation, like so many other things, regulators can serve as a friend or foe.
Uber's self-driving car program will definitely have to contend with the FAA before it gets off the ground. The future of new and potentially life-saving semiautonomous vehicle technology faces firm rules about licensing and liability. Tesla defends the safety of its Autopilot feature with American road safety officials.
"Forget self-driving and flying cars, or hyperloops, or monorails" argues columnist Clive Thompson. "The biggest, best innovation in transportation today is the bicycle."
Read the article at Wired.
