Pascal Brier, deputy general director of the Altran group, enlightens us on the four main trends of the future of cars: the is electric, autonomous, connected and has a completely new architecture. What will cars be like in the future? Traditional car models have exploded as the digital revolution has led to a complete overhaul of the car`s hardware and software architecture.
For Pascal Brier, deputy general director of the Altran group and head of innovation, this is a breakthrough technology. Today, it has many technological advantages and its so-called historical weaknesses, such as self-driving capabilities (such as the latest Tesla car with a range of 600 km) or the ability to operate on the road, are no longer relevant.
What Will Cars Be Like in the Future?
In the coming years, increasingly powerful hybrid or electric motors will gradually replace traditional internal combustion engines.
Tomorrow, cars will be able to operate without a driver. “This development will take place in stages: we start without legs, then we finish without arms and finally without eyes,” Pascal Brier points out. Some cars now offer driver assistance systems that allow you to take your hands off the steering wheel in specific situations like in traffic or when parking, etc.
Engineers are working to replace the human eye with countless cameras, sensors and lasers that will recreate the environment in 3D and allow the vehicle to make its own navigation decisions.
Popularized by Google and its famous car, most manufacturers have considered autonomy and are currently in major road testing stages. Indeed, to be autonomous and make the right decisions, a car must be able to exchange a variety of information with the outside world: traffic, weather, vehicle status, service stations, accidents, etc.
According to Pascal Brier, this is a complete paradigm shift, “the car will become a place dedicated to the consumption of services,” he says., to see the latest movie released in theatres or Skype a friend on the other side of the planet A new method of production. The last major change regarding the industry itself tomorrow will not be like today.
The vehicle’s entire hardware and software architecture is being overhauled. On the one hand, car bodies are gradually evolving to incorporate new technologies, such as lightweight composites and 3D printing materials. On the other hand, to ensure vehicle connectivity and autonomy, many smart devices will need to be connected and integrated, including computers, cameras, infotainment centres, etc.
This means a complete overhaul of the car’s electronic architecture. Pascal Brier believes that “we are moving from “wired” cars to a complete network architecture, in the form of a vehicle. » In short, the cars of the future, built according to new models, will be electric, autonomous and connected.
This will bring several benefits to society: less pollution, more safety, more free time and services.
And finally?
- A paradigm shift: this will likely offer less driving fun on the open road but will offer real transport, safety and connectivity.
There are certainly many challenges ahead – technological, industrial and regulatory – but the transition is well underway and the phenomenon will accelerate in the coming years.
Many players are embarking on the adventure: manufacturers, device manufacturers, service providers, telecom operators, web giants, etc.
Related: Who Invented the Car: A History
- Pascal Brier is enthusiastic: “The car of the future opens incredible doors for technological innovation; Before us, we have an opportunity to rethink transportation.
Which Cars Will Make Their Impact in Future?
Modern and advanced plastics and plastic composites will play a key role in enabling these mobility revolutions/developments. Leading to safer and more efficient vehicles. And just a really fun trip. Winner? Here’s a look: self-contained – Lightweight plastics will help reduce the extra weight needed for automated driving systems – e.g. sensors, electronics, biometrics, radar and LiDAR (speed and light detection).
Additionally, they will help integrate these systems into vehicles and provide new, flexible interior configurations for passengers.
Connected
High-value connectivity features that enable vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication – for example, artificial intelligence features, 5G networks, touchscreens and haptics 3D sense/touch – will be secured and protected by resin sand seamlessly integrated into the vehicle.
Circular
Automobile manufacturers have set targets and are implementing initiatives to improve circularity in their operations, including the use of plastics. Plastic manufacturers are working together – along with parts/component suppliers and auto manufacturers – to help the auto industry move towards a more circular economy.
Electrified
In addition to the lightweight benefits mentioned above, the special resin helps protect the battery pack and protects against fire hazards associated with EV batteries, thereby contributing to safety.
Advanced plastic battery separators for lithium-ion batteries can increase battery capacity by up to 30%, improve temperature stability and extend electric vehicle range on a single charge. And sustainable plastics will help us build a nationwide network of charging and refuelling stations.
Shared
High-occupancy shared and charter vehicles rely on odour-resistant, self-cleaning and highly durable plastic interiors. In particular, shared vehicles will require tamper-proof plastic covers to help reduce damage to expensive electronic devices on the vehicle.
Sustainability
Plastics and composites companies are partnering with automakers to reduce their environmental impact, including by developing lightweight parts that improve fuel economy as well as designing vehicles that can be recycled at the end of their life cycle. More and more automakers are using recycled plastic to produce a variety of auto parts, from seat cushions and insulation to critical engine parts.
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