The Road Ahead: How Technology is Shaping the Future of Transportation

The transportation industry is rich with mind-blowing technological advancements, from the proliferation of affordable Electric Vehicles to personal commuter transport to long sought sustainable options for global travel. Whether we’re after a cheap, quick, and stress-free way to get to work or an eco-friendly way to see the world afresh, we are dependent upon vehicles to carry us to the destinations that help us grow into the people we want to become. The future is here - but the question remains: how do we get there to experience it?

The Present

Let’s start with the present: the Electric Vehicle. Though we were convinced we’d be flying our cars by sci-fi stories, we’re only just now entering the EV era. It’s the era we need right now: promises of smaller carbon footprints, lower operating costs and repairs, and quiet, smooth rides into the future. Drawbacks are few, but significant. The environmental costs of battery production and recycling take a toll on the quality of life and economy of people in rare earth element-rich geographies, and responsible end-of-life management for EVs is still a work in progress.

EV adoption numbers lagged for a few years between 2020 and 2022, but the lag was due to COVID supply chain issues, not lowered interest. Toyota, Tesla, and Rivian top the list for the most sales over the past year. In fact, in September 2023, almost 136,000 light-duty EVs were sold. That’s 67 percent more than September, 2022. This is in no small part due to two key pieces of legislation: the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). According to ZETA, EV “manufacturing facilities are breaking ground” all over America. As EV sales skyrocket, US jobs created by the EV sector help to power the sluggish economy.

Buyers are certainly motivated by environmental benefits that EVs provide, but the cool, emerging tech inside these vehicles doesn’t exactly hurt sales. For instance, BMW introduced Gen X’s dream come true at CES in 2023: an AI infused car that will make drivers feel like David Hasselhoff in Knight Rider. The BMV i Vision D sports digital eyes for headlights, and can change color at the tap of a screen. In more practical, affordable EVs, battery performance and charging speed are getting more efficient all the time, making the purchase worth pursuing.

Micromobility and The Commuter

For commuters wishing they could axe the car altogether, the Micromobility movement is looking to provide safe, fast, and cheap modes of travel for “short trips and active transportation.” The oft -derided trailblazer Segway Human Transporter might have been before its time, but now most city-dwellers are familiar with scooter and bike-sharing stations that dot the corners of downtown sidewalks. Sharing roads and sidewalks remains a safety challenge in many urban areas built for automotive transportation, however, and retro-fitting bike lanes for motorized small motorized vehicles has not proven very efficient. The 3-wheeled Nimbus Autocycle might just be able to bridge the divide between safety and efficiency. It’s part motorcycle, part car, and can reach speeds of 50-75 mph, depending on the model. Because it’s enclosed, has traction control, and airbags, it’s safer than speeding around on a motorcycle or scooter. And (at about 10K), it’s much more affordable than a standard car.

Engineers are quickly developing intelligent infrastructure to support the coming wave of transport and micromobility tech. Smart roads equipped with sensors, cameras and communication systems collect and analyze data to design for efficiency and create safety protocols for people on the ground. Engineers are at work developing interlocking Smart Pavement slabs that are capable of transforming roadways into edge-computing powerhouses that even charge vehicles while they’re currently in use. P3 Mobility’s smart intersections use Connected Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology to capture high-resolution driving data. They use that data to analyze driver behavior and provide geographically specific insights into enhanced safety, traffic signal priority, lane dedication, and traffic congestion. Similarly, Valerann provides real-time data tracking through a “modular ecosystem of algorithmic, integration, IoT, Cloud and User Experience technology.”

So far, the micromobility movement has been limited to the streets. However, a whole new curriculum of driver’s ed will need to be developed when hovercrafts become commercially available. Aerwyns’ Star Wars-inspired Xturismo promised a whole new experience in the sky. Powered by internal combustion and batteries, its rider was to sit atop the vehicle and ride it like a motorbike. The company has hit some funding challenges of late, but the technology is sound, and it's only a matter of time before hoverbikes are a commercial reality. If passengers wish to hand the driving over altogether, they’ll be excited to learn about Joby Aircraft’s air taxis, which take off and land vertically and can hold up to four passengers and one pilot. Driverless drone taxis like the EHang and Hoversurf’s Hover don’t even require a pilot onboard – and they’re safe to transport both people and luggage.

Deep Dive: The Global Traveler

Micromobility and the future of city-wide flight plans are promising for local commutes and short term travel. But humans are not an incurious group. We crave adventure, exposure to new cultures and ideas, and connection to other big-brained primates.

Train Dreams: One technology that’s been promising sustainable, fast and comfortable travel for decades is MagLev. Since the 60s, we’ve been promised cool, comfortable maglev trains that move at super-high speeds. Today’s MagLev trains are safe, fast, and low-impact. They rely on powerful magnets to levitate and propel themselves above a track at high speeds, and were once touted as the most responsible and economical option for global travel. Japan’s cross-country Maglev train Chuo Shinkansen is under construction, set to be in operation in 2027. The country’s been building and using a similar infrastructure for city travel for years, and the financial and environmental success of these bullet trains has proven out. The

Green Flight: According to AIE, aviation accounts for 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Global transportation has been stuck in the same carbon-heavy patterns for ages, and though sustainable aviation fuel is on the horizon, the commercialization of it has been held up by debates about food vs fuel. Fortunately, industrial biotech companies like Cemvita have created nature-inspired technology to create feedstocks that aren’t reliant on the crops we need to feed the planet. Ampaire is creating hybrid electric planes, and manufacturers like Toray Industries are also creating lighter, safer materials with improved engineering to make them more aerodynamic.

World Cruises: The cruise industry has historically been able to duck environmental regulations. In fact, it’s not rare for even mid-sized cruise ships to dump more than a ton of waste into the ocean daily, and spew dangerous emissions comparable to more than 12,000 cars. Environmental groups like Flight Free USA and The Global Cruise Activist Network are working to change the public’s perception of global tourism and urge future travelers to consider the larger, climate-related costs of travel before buying tickets to parts unknown. Many of the cruise lines have promised to work toward carbon-neutrality, and Norwegian company Hurtigruten is on track to deliver its first zero-emission ship powered by a large-scale battery storage system, as well as solar and wind sails. Passengers will stay in smart, energy efficient cabins onboard.

The Elusive Hyperloop: This high-speed transportation system is basically an underground train with capsules traveling at ultra-fast speeds through a network of vacuum sealed tubes. Though many hyperloop ventures have been crushed, Hyperloop TT is hanging in there with its low pressure tube system. The company released the first comprehensive feasibility study analyzing a hyperloop system in 2019, and has continued to make progress over the past five years. How are they doing it differently than all the others? Well, for one, they’re collaborating with global team of over 800 engineers, scientists, and business professionals from a bunch of different industries. And the’re using an open-source method of sharing research. They’re also only focusing on feasibility and ensuring that the system will not only work for the world, but also be profitable for those involved.

Further Reading

Want to know more about the future of travel? Check out these articles that explain some of the nuances of what we can expect in the next couple of decades.

The future of travel: 10 concepts that will change the way we experience the world

• The travel industry is on the cusp of a major transformation, with technology playing a starring role. Biometric identification is streamlining airport procedures, while smart tags and digital luggage tags aim to eliminate lost luggage woes. Augmented reality promises to enhance sightseeing experiences, allowing virtual tours and interactive exhibits. Taking center stage are flying taxis and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. These futuristic, electric vehicles hold the potential to revolutionize urban transportation and sightseeing, offering quick commutes and access to remote areas. Sustainability remains a major focus, with airlines looking towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen-powered engines, and electric planes are on the horizon.

I went to China to see the secrets of micromobility factories. Here’s what’s coming

• Dive into the world of micromobility factories in China and learn about upcoming advancements in electric vehicles (EVs). Writer Micah Toll visited several factories and witnessed the efficiency of their production lines, with robots and automation playing a major role. These factories are churning out a massive number of e-bikes, e-scooters, and other light electric vehicles.The focus isn't just on quantity; exciting innovations are brewing. One example is a hub motor with built-in 3-speed gearing, combining an electric motor with internal gears for a smoother ride. Fueled by recent legislation and increased consumer interest, the EV industry in the US is not far behind China.

Spotlight on mobility trends: McKinsey Study

• Overall, 2023 focused on progress, and the industry is poised for consolidation and scaling in 2024, balancing innovation with profitability. 2023 saw significant progress despite some challenges. Consumers are shifting towards sustainable options like electric vehicles (EVs) and micromobility. The demand for EVs remains high, with a growing preference for longer ranges and online purchasing. However, autonomous vehicles faced setbacks, pushing back timelines for L4 capabilities. Investment in mobility dipped initially but recovered by year-end, with electrification and autonomous driving attracting the most interest. Future air mobility saw mixed results with lower funding but a higher number of deals and test flight hours. Generative AI is a new area of exploration, while applied AI remains dominant for enhancing existing processes.

No-Frills Flying Emerges as Travel’s Painful, Greener Future

• Airlines face predicament after predicament in achieving sustainable air travel. The core challenge? Passengers themselves. Airlines are looking at options like hydrogen fuel and electric planes to reduce emissions, but these solutions often come with drawbacks for flyers. For instance, hydrogen-powered planes might have limited range, forcing layovers on long journeys. Electric planes, on the other hand, may translate to smaller cabins with fewer amenities or even higher ticket prices due to battery limitations. Airlines may need to convince passengers to adapt to these inconveniences for the sake of environmental responsibility. This could involve educating travelers about the environmental impact of air travel and the necessity of these changes.

How Green Are Electric Vehicles?

• Electric vehicles (EVs) are generally considered a greener alternative to gasoline-powered cars, but their environmental impact depends on the source of electricity used to charge them. EVs charged with cleaner energy sources like solar or wind power produce significantly fewer emissions than gasoline cars. The biggest environmental concerns surrounding EVs are related to battery production and disposal. Mining the raw materials for batteries can have negative environmental and human rights impacts. Currently, recycling rates for lithium-ion batteries used in EVs are low, but researchers are looking for ways to improve this process. As the electricity grid gets cleaner and battery technology improves, the environmental benefits of EVs are expected to increase.