Cars will change more in the next decade than they have in the past century
I’ve recently been discussing the future of car design with our Automotive & Transport Design students at University of Staffordshire, exploring how the automotive industry is evolving and the challenges and opportunities this presents for the next generation of designers.
From the development of autonomous vehicles and the changing role of the driver to advances in electric drivetrains and the growing importance of sustainability, the automotive landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. These changes are influencing not only how vehicles are engineered and manufactured, but also how they look, feel and function, and how people interact with them.
Alongside my colleagues at the University, I co-authored an article for The Conversation exploring how cars could change more in the next decade than they have over the past century. The article considers some of the technological, environmental and societal shifts shaping the future of mobility, and what these could mean for the vehicles we use and the way we travel.
As automotive designers, educators and researchers, understanding these emerging developments is essential to preparing for a future in which mobility, technology and sustainability are increasingly interconnected.