Flying taxi and smart road: 9 urban transport concepts that will change our lives

Sitihaker Technologies / by admin / December 19, 2019

1. drones

Artificial intelligence in transport and integrated autopilot functions will become commonplace in the near future. Already, major automakers such as BMW, General Motors, Audi and the Volvo, are developing machines that can travel without a driver. BMW, for example, intends to release its first drone in 2021. Own car of this kind develops and Google.

And the electric Tesla, starting with the Model S, is already quite a can ride on autopilottesla Autopilot - however, take your hands off the steering wheel drivers still more forbidden. While some of them do not just do it, but allow yourself to engage in while driving other things.

In addition to passenger cars, Tesla createstesla Semi elektrogruzoviki, which also supports the autopilot function. So, it may soon appear not only without a taxi driver, but also unmanned buses and trains for long-distance transportation.

2. electric vehicles

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A considerable threat to the ecology of our planet produce gases emitted by vehicles with internal combustion engines. Fortunately, more and more countries are paying attention to the transition to renewable sources of energy - the optimists argueAlmost every country in the world can power itself with renewable energyThat full of oil and gas production will reject the next 30 years. So, sooner or later, to replace petrol and diesel engines to electric motors come.

Already, electric cars (or a hybrid, capable of driving and fuel, and electricity) nobody will be surprised. The best-known company that is most often the word "electric" and associates - is, of course, the Tesla Elon Musk. But also in other major automakers have models behind the wheel that you can take right now. This General Motors, and Nissan, and Mitsubishi, and even Porsche, which intends to release its first production electric vehicle by 2020.

According to Bloomberg studyElectric Vehicle Outlook 2019, By 2040 55% of all cars sold in the world will go on electricity. Today, most electric cars sold in China - a country that is very concerned about environmental issues.

3. robotic taxi

The Internet makes everything to make life easier for shy people. Now, to call a taxi, you do not have somewhere to call and negotiate with the dispatcher. Just press the button in the app for a smartphone, and the coach will be served without further ado. However, it is quite possible, then have to endure all the way to talk too sociable driver.

Probably sometime taxi drivers will be unemployed due to the development of the autopilot in the car. For example, the company General Motors has created a completely autonomous robomobil EN-V. As it does not provide even a place for the driver - EN-V is managed independently, using sensors and lidar. Simply enter where you want to go, and the EN-V are lucky you. By the way, this thing runs on electricity, so there are no harmful emissions. These self-contained capsule already used in Masdar City in Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow Airport, although in a limited number.

For those who are in such a crumb will be cramped, the Italian company has created a more spacious Next thing - something like a mini-urban trains. each trailer Next It can accommodate up to six passengers, and if necessary, these modules combine several pieces if you want to transport a large group of people to the same destination. Also on autopilot, too, with the electric motor. Next quite successfully tested in Dubai.

Finally, the concept of the Toyota - a fully self-contained electric e-Palette. It is planned that it, too, can be ordered as a taxi through the app on your smartphone and it will drive you to the right place without a driver. But e-Palette will be other applications. For example, he will be able without help deliver parcels to deliver products and even serve as a mobile cafe or shop.

4. Hyperloop

Word Hyperloop is now on everyone's lips thanks to popularize his Elon Musk. This concept of high-speed trains, which move in vacuum tunnels by magnetic levitation. In these tunnels will be no air resistance, or trains there can be worn as a plane "Concord", accelerating to 1 200 km / h.

Now the creation of this type of transport is engaged in several companies. First of all, it Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT), Which has threatened to launch its first passenger line in 2022. The company is already building a highway in California, in Toulouse, France, China and United Arab Emirates.

HTT is going to compete with billionaire Richard Branson and his Hyperloop One. Their capsule was successfully tested back in 2017. The plans - to build its first route in India, in the state of Maharashtra.

The Chinese do not lag behind the US, and Aerospace Corporation CASIC (China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation) is now occupied developing its own route Hyperloop.

5. Trains with magnetic levitation

The concept of a train moving on a magnetic levitation, there was quite a long time - let alone where Elon Musk with his Hyperloop. Transport magnetic levitation designed back in the '80s, but it has not gained popularity.

We maglev-trains have advantages over conventional trains: they are much faster. In addition, they are environmentally friendly and very quiet: the wheels of cars in there, they literally float above the rail. And, unlike Hyperloop, roads to build maglev easier.

Already such trains are operated in China - in Shanghai and Changsha. The country intends toChina to introduce new generation of driverless trains in 2020 run a few more maglev-trains by 2020.

This is a very promising form of transport and the fastest to date. For example, a Japanese train Shinkansen LO April 2015 accelerated to 603 km / h, which was the world record for public transport. The commercial operation of such formulations will be put to the Japanese in 2027. And in the next 20 years for its maglev-line will acquire the UK, Germany, USA, India and Malaysia.

6. air karshering

Flying cars - the dream of science fiction writers of the past. And prototypes of such cars already quite successfully tested in the metal. In the future, flying cars will solve the problem of traffic jams and allow rapid travel over long distances through the air. And they will not need such a complex infrastructure as modern aircrafts.

For example, Uber, in cooperation with the manufacturer of helicopters Bell introducedBell Nexus flying prototype hybrid electric Nexus. A sort quadrocopter, which can fly four passengers with the pilot. By 2020, the thing starts flight tests, and commercial use will start in 2023-m.

Google is not a trifle, developing in parallel as many as three models of electric aircraft. it BlackFlyWhich boasts ease of operation, FlyerCapable land on water, and a double cross between airframe multicopter Cora.

And even among the pioneers among the cars have air Lilium Jet, Elektrosamolot with vertical take-off, and the prototype of the Airbus, the commercial flights that will begin in 2020.

7. Suspended bike paths

You have in the city, probably, have special lanes on sidewalks marked for cyclists? In theory, it is very convenient and eco-friendly, but in practice there is often more than pedestrians than riders. Fortunately, humanity is on its way to the invention of a better option.

Suspended bike paths, tunnels can do bike tours are much more comfortable and faster. In addition, they reduce the likelihood of traffic congestion and relieve cyclists from the risk of collisions with pedestrians or cars.

The prototype of this overpass was built in the Chinese city of Xiamen in 2017. Now it is the longest suspension velodoroga in the world. It is located at a height of 5 meters above the ground and has a length of 7.6 km.

But much more large-scale projects bears the BMW in collaboration with Tongji University in Shanghai. Automobile giant intends to build its own network of bike paths isolated pendant called BMW Vision E³ Way.

These futuristic design will greatly facilitate the life of the owners of electric bikes and scooters. Transparent tunnels in which to ride two-wheeled electric fans, will be equipped with mechanisms for climate control, so that the ride there will be in any weather at any time of the year. China is particularly interested in the development of cycling infrastructure, because it is experiencing serious problems with the environment.

8. Smart road for smart car

Every year in road accidents killedGlobal status report on road safety in 2018 More than a million people and tens of millions are injured. The emergence of smart roads, connected to the Internet of things (IoT), Will reduce the accident rate highways at times. Special sensors mounted in the roadway and connected to the IoT, will instantly inform the intelligent vehicles on the way of obstacles, and they will be able to avoid collisions.

These trails are already being built in Italy in the framework of the project Smart Highway. On smart roads unmanned drones will monitor the traffic and drivers to deliver first aid in case of accident. Sensors smart route will not only prompt the cars where to steer, but also to fix dirt air, wind speed and weather changes, and then transmit this information to the on-board computers machines.

A similar route was built in Sweden. When everything else a clever two-kilometer road there is still taught and recharge electric cars and trucks right while driving. If there are mounted in the roadway, it will at times increase the autonomy of electric vehicles in the future, charging stations.

And finally, the most unusual concept highways of the future - the so-called road-hybrids, they are also dynamic street. This prototype designsHow intelligent will future transportation be? Now the architect-urbanist Carlo Ratti with Google Alphabet. Hybrid road will automatically adjust to its users in real time thanks to the IoT system.

Imagine a street where automatic machines ride in the morning, the children play during the day and at weekends it becomes a venue for baseball.

Carlo Ratti, architect, director of Senseable City Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and founder Carlo Ratti Associati

Light signals on a smart street will rebuild it on the go. For example, during rush hour on the road will appear an additional lane, and in the evening a large portion of the web will turn into a sidewalk. And yet the road to have itself to melt snow and ice, and automatically switch the brightness of road markings to conserve electricity, when the track is not used.

9. Crazy riding, flying and floating pieces

Have you noticed how lately become popular variety of personal transportation? Any segways, elektrosamokaty, giroskutery monokolosa and filled the streets, significantly surpassing the conventional bicycles, and there is no doubt that they will become even more popular in the future. Especially if the charging station for them can be found on every corner.

But there are more crazy concepts that also have the right to live in the city. For example, how do you double the flying motorcycle Aero-X? It can hover at a height of 3 meters above the ground and reach the speed of 70 km / h.

Love bikes, but the seat of your two-wheeled friend is too inconvenient to travel long distances? Check out Outrider USA Alpha 422. The design may be, it looks silly, but it is convenient to sit - as in seat. Ride possible both by means of pedals, and an electric motor which is powered by batteries. This piece can be dispersed to 140 km / h.

There is also lexus Hoverboard from the famous car manufacturer. This is the same skateboard, but it flies. More precisely, it moves at a height of a few centimeters above the ground with the help of all of the same magnetic levitation.

Those who strongly cares about the environment can look to a personal hybrid of electric vehicles and bicycle ELF. When you want to pump up the legs - pedal. When you need a break - ELF will go at the expense of solar panels. Forget about the pump. However, in inclement weather does not go far.

And finally - the so-called tunnel bus, or Transit Elevated Bus (TEB). It is designed so that the passenger car can easily pass under it. Unfortunately, testing it in China was suspended, but if the idea take root in the future - you can forget about traffic jams (while under the bus did not try to infiltrate some kind of "Gazelle").

This column we are doing together with the service taxi "Sitimobil". For Layfhakera readers a discount for the first five trips - 10% of promotional code SITIHAKER *.

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