Expensive but affordable
The Volkswagen ID electric car can drive autonomously and without recharging for a distance of up to 600 km, but it costs much more than, for example, a Golf. Therefore, it was designed from the very beginning for conditions such as sharing
car (sharing, pooling, etc.).
HCCI motors
The term “Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition”
means that the combustion chamber, depending on the load, works like a diesel or gasoline engine and achieves an exceptional efficiency of 40% with a low content of harmful substances in the exhaust gases.
Autonomy of the third level
In 2020-21, the first cars should appear on the market, which, when driving on some sections of motorways, can completely remove responsibility for driving from the driver.
Overhead contact network for trucks
Thanks to contact networks on highways, freight traffic can also be electrified. The battery capacity of the truck is enough for 50–80 km.
Formation of convoys
Networked trucks can be electronically connected to each other and follow each other at a minimum distance. This reduces air resistance and fuel consumption, which is suitable for more trucks on the track. And besides, road trains can move autonomously to a certain extent – only the first car needs to have a driver.
Housing with a plot for a car
In Asian megacities, residential buildings cannot be designed with parking lots for each apartment, as there is simply not enough space for this. Organizations operating apartment complexes could have a small fleet of cars that tenants can rent for a modest fee. This model is also interesting for application in European cities.
extreme power
Asynchronous motors achieve extremely high power densities at high speeds. The introduced Brusa engine delivers a maximum output of 220 kW (300 hp); it is so small that one geared motor can be mounted on each wheel.
Carpooling
Driving in areas with high population density
already today can be “offloaded” using existing technologies: an app-based ride sharing solution with automatic calculation could notify the driver of the next
car and call it to the goal of movement.
Level 5 autonomy
The ultimate goal of the development of all autonomous vehicles: from 2022, driverless cars will have to drive through the central parts of cities and residential streets. Such cars will have to be called up using applications if necessary.
Cinema in the car
BMW’s proposal for a huge screen for the rear seat may seem exaggerated, but in autonomous cars, passenger entertainment will have a completely different meaning than it does today. On the windshield, for example, a movie could be played.
A PHOTO: Volkswagen AG; Mazda; Audi AG; Scania CVAB;
iStockphoto/Antrey, JRyanC10; Brusa; iStockphoto/Leonardo Patrizi;
Volvo Car Corporation; BMW AG/Tom Kirkpatrick
