Cars that wirelessly charge on the move, AI assistants to schedule in-vehicle meetings, and radar technology for advancing safety all boast the growing intelligence of automotive technologies. IDTechEx‘s portfolio of Electric Vehicles and Robotics & Autonomy market research reports showcase the latest technologies bringing an engaging and forward-thinking future of driving into reality.
Invisible charging and electric energy
Hopping in and out of the car to plug in a charger soon may not be necessary with seamless and invisible charging for electric vehicles. Powerful coils fitted underground will be ready to provide energy to vehicles through powerful magnetic resonance or inductive charging. Parking up to do the shopping could mean an opportunity for the vehicle to charge without the driver needing to think about it, while smart grids can work alongside the vehicle’s intelligence to balance the distribution of energy where needed.
Waiting for the car to charge up may also be eliminated, as cars could top up their batteries whilst on the move. Motorways could be fitted with charging zones so driving longer distances doesn’t need to be a hindrance, and trips don’t need to be planned around stopping for power. The technology behind wireless charging is explored in IDTechEx’s report, “Wireless Charging Market for Electric Vehicles 2023-2033: Technology, Players and Forecasts“.
Zero-emission driving will continue to be a target well into the future until all cars on the road are electric and give the environment a chance to breathe. The continuously developing Li-ion battery market is explored in IDTechEx’s report, “Advanced Li-ion Batteries 2025-2035: Technologies, Players, Markets, Forecasts“. This report showcases the latest advancements being made within the sector to create the most efficient and safest electric vehicles.
Happier environments with hydrogen fuel cells and sustainable interiors
On-site electrolyzers that produce green hydrogen fuel directly from water could make access to driving emission-free much easier. Hydrogen pipelines may also become more mainstream in the future to transport and deliver hydrogen fuel over extended distances for increased distribution. The potential range of fuel-cell vehicles of up to 1,000km could also be revolutionary in extending driving periods without the need to refuel, though one day, hydrogen canisters could be imagined instead of needing to locate a hydrogen pump.
Cleaner air to breathe in cities and a reduction in global transport emissions are two key benefits of emission-free driving. The increasing focus on sustainability, driven by developments in electric and fuel-cell vehicles, presents the future of driving as much more environmentally friendly and beneficial for the planet. IDTechEx’s report, “Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles 2025-2045: Markets, Technologies, Forecasts“, has more details.
Car seats made from mushrooms and microbes could also become the latest trend in the spirit of growing sustainability, mimicking the feel, look, and quality of regular leather while being much better for the environment. Upgrading the aesthetic of automotive interiors to enjoy long drives in could therefore be guilt-free, achieved through more earth-friendly approaches, explored in “Emerging Alternative Leathers 2024-2034: Technologies, Trends, Players“.
Vehicles getting friendlier
Pre-ordering a coffee on the way to work could be done through the car, so it’s quick and ready to collect without any fuss. Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) will enable passengers to engage with vehicles on a personal level, including the addition of AI as a digital assistant to facilitate biometric authentication for payments.
Individual profiles can also be created by the AI assistant to memorize seat positions, climate preferences, favorite radio stations, and color preferences on the dashboard, allowing driving to become an instantly personalized and enjoyable experience. The AI assistant feature will also be able to communicate with drivers when the car requires servicing, and where the nearest garage is on a preferred route, so the car’s maintenance can be hassle-free for the driver.
Cellular connectivity within cars will enable cars to complete over-the-air updates at night, ready for the morning commute. Connected car technology will also be a possibility, allowing for accurate, up-to-date driving maps as vehicles share information with each other about collisions or traffic jams en route. IDTechEx’s report, “Software-Defined Vehicles, Connected Cars, and AI in Cars 2024-2034: Markets, Trends, and Forecasts” explores SDV possibilities in greater depth.
Robotic service stations
Taking the car to be serviced could one day be a fun display of robots at work, with collaborative robots programmed to assemble dashboard components and maybe even carry out MOTs. Their ease of programming and flexibility could also see them welding and screwing car parts, or simply cleaning the car. Visit IDTechEx’s report, “Collaborative Robots 2025-2045: Technologies, Players, and Markets” for more details.
Advancing autonomy and non-driving drivers
Cars taking themselves for a ride after dropping passengers off at their desired location may be a new reality with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving systems (ADS). Vehicles could then return within minutes once summoned, like a chauffeur, showcasing the ease of movement that advancing automotive technology can bring. Cars will be able to navigate their own way around, knowing the streets like the back of their wheels with interconnectivity capabilities, with road-driving appearing to be synchronous and seamless. IDTechEx’s report, “Passenger Car ADAS Market 2025-2045: Technology, Market Analysis, and Forecasts“, covers ADAS further.
For drivers who choose to remain behind the wheel, the windshield could become a holographic heads-up display, highlighting hard-to-see pedestrians or speed limits. As Heads-up Displays become more advanced in line with increasing vehicle autonomy levels, drivers can choose how much they want to engage with driving. Taking the wheel for enjoyment and then dipping out to take a work call on the move could be done at the driver’s discretion. The report, “Autonomous Vehicles Market 2025-2045: Robotaxis, Autonomous Cars, Sensors“, covers different levels of vehicle autonomy that are on the rise to make this possible.
Reversing radars
Automotive radars are a significant contributor to the development of autonomous driving, as they can keep vehicles in check and out of trouble while passengers enjoy the journey. Side radars have many jobs, including blind spot detection and lane change assist, which make sure nothing is advancing from behind or at the sides of the vehicle.
Reversing out of tight car parking spaces could also make leaving in a hurry less strenuous, as side radars can detect people or objects in close proximity. IDTechEx’s report, “Automotive Radar Market 2025-2045: Robotaxis & Autonomous Cars“, explores the technology behind the extra pairs of eyes covering areas where the driver is unable to see.
Automatic emergency braking is another important feature in autonomous driving and uses front and side radars to detect whether people are on the road before the car has fully made a turn. This application demonstrates how different radars work together to achieve a shared goal, providing information back to the vehicle that can then communicate with the driver.
In-cabin sensing safety
Falling asleep at the wheel won’t need to be such a concern, as driver monitoring systems (DMS), which detect driver drowsiness, are expected to be required in all new vehicles by 2026. Occupant monitoring systems (OMS) could also be responsible for monitoring passengers’ vitals, such as heart rate and breathing, or raising an alert when it suspects a child may be left in the car. Both DMS and OMS will maximize safety within vehicles so long journeys can feel less stressful, and parents can feel more at ease with young children in the back on hot days. “In-Cabin Sensing 2025-2035: Technologies, Opportunities, and Markets” contains more information on the systems at work within vehicles to keep passengers safe.
Detecting phone use, seatbelt engagement, and attentiveness of the driver are possibilities for infrared technology inside the vehicle, explored in IDTechEx’s report, “Infrared and Thermal Cameras for Autonomy and In-Cabin 2025-2035: Technologies, Opportunities, Forecasts“. Near infra-red systems can work in dark conditions, emitting their own light source to function, and can even gauge the alertness of drivers through sunglasses, so other passengers can relax knowing the driver is being taken care of.
Visit IDTechEx’s report, “Future Automotive Technologies 2024-2034: Applications, Megatrends, Forecasts“, and the Electric Vehicles and Robotics & Autonomy market research portfolios for more details on growing trends within the future of automotives.
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