Autonomous vehicles—or at least progressively more automated vehicles—are on today’s agenda of any newspaper or conference about automobiles and mobility, in context of environmental concerns like climate change and air quality. At DVN-I, we analyze how autonomous technology enables new use modes in cars, and we keep track of new mobility business models.
Of the many driving futures one might imagine, is the autonomous-driving one really necessarily the best one? What if the best future isn’t so much driverless as it is driving less? Firm answers aren’t obvious; regulations and trends are going in multiple directions. Regulation authorities in the world’s countries, within market and trading blocs, and at UN level are addressing progressively driverless situations including the ongoing deployment of level-3 AVs (autonomous vehicles). Many municipal authorities—cities, states and provinces, regions, etc—are creating real-life test areas for AVs, and automakers and tiered suppliers are reporting progress on testing. New alliances are popping up seemingly every day to generate and pursue new technology and/or mobility business models.
On the other hand, driving condition are getting more stringent, both through regulation (EU 40% cut in allowable-emissions, California at 50 miles/gallon fuel economy, and so on) and by city restrictions (tolls, diesel bans, pollutant thresholds, road closures, professional-drivers-only days, parking restrictions, and so on and on).
Traffic conditions could even get worse in the near term, as the first AVs will create temporary additional traffic with for instance empty cars searching around to get a parking spot. These effects, no matter how the human-driven and self-driving car mix evolves, will surely be decades long, as investment is huge to re-optimize infrastructure—everything from roads to parking lots and garages to driveways and sidewalks, parking meter arrangements, etc—so as to cater primarily for AVs.
So, what has this to do with vehicle interiors? From an interior perspective, it is certain that both development directions are making vast opportunity to create new use modes, to invent new features, and to develop new technology. It’s all very exciting! Of course, market volume can’t be foreseen, and that’s a major driver of investment levels.
So far, innovation efforts and openness to whatever goofy scenario can be dreamt of are generating many novelties, but also a great deal of innovation which is applicable to any new car, regardless of its automation or electrification level. Three passengers per car at least are already within autonomous driving scenario, drivers already need to be monitored to avoid drowsiness and cars are all connected, at least through a smart phone.
All in all, independent of driving scenario and external constraints, car interiors must provide and support greater safety and comfort on an ongoing basis, even as those words’ definitions shift. At DVN-I, that’s what we work to explore, explain, and report with relevant news and analysis to keep you well informed and up to date. Contact us today to get your subscription.