What do you think the future of automotive transport holds, in terms of the powerplant and navigation? Do you think

Question: What do you think the future of automotive transport holds, in terms of the powerplant and navigation? Do you think that ICB engines will remain the go to choice, but they will just become increasingly efficient - perhaps burning other fuels (methanol injection), or do you think EV vehicles will prevail with perhaps intelligent charging pads hidden under the asphalt that charge the car whilst driving? In addition, do you think 'self driving cars' will soon become superior over manually driven cars? The steep decrease in manufacturers releasing models that have a manual transmission as standard is a hint at this, as the whole experience of driving a car is slowly becoming more automated with the introduction of automatic transmissions and advanced ECU's with the ability to drive without any driver input, change lanes on the motorway etc (Tesla). If so - what adaptations will you need to make to current transport routes and systems to cater for self driving cars?
- Keywords:
  car,
  future,
  self driving
Asked by Hugo to Andrew on 11 Mar 2016.
- Andrew Pidgeon answered on 11 Mar 2016:
  
  That’s a great question.
  
  The transport routes themselves may not necessarily have to change, for now, as the guidance systems use a network of satellites, radar and radio frequencies plus video input to detect road layout. However, in the future why would we pay and put people and risk from painting white lines if they AV’s don’t need them as it is the human that requires them as assistance for lane discipline.
  
  I think the engines wont be fully electric but a ‘gas turbine’ which is more efficient, will charge a battery via a generator which will allow the battery to discharge longer thus driving the vehicle further.
  
  Charging pads is a good idea, and currently used when buses park up to pick up travellers. so it is a tried and tested method. However, the a whole network would be required to charge vehicles which may not be feasible and if you stop can you step on or near the charging points on the road? It may wipe your electronics/bank cards!!
  
  Also imagine this. Tesla has the changing lanes functionality however does it have a rule in the software to say ‘if a police car is flashing its lights, do not cross lanes?’.