clean), with a focus on less pol-
lution, less accidents, more per-
That's right, you'll be able to do just
about anything in your car including
video conferencing and booking and
paying for your car space with the push
of a couple of buttons!
for the past couple of years you would
know that there is a huge move towards
leaner and greener cars. Recent trends
include hybrid cars and cleaner burning,
better performing diesel cars. Whilst we
only have a choice of 5 hybrids in Aus-
tralia (models made by Toyota, Honda
and Lexus), plenty of manufacturers are
developing hybrid cars, fuel celled cars
as well as electric cars. Mini are current-
ly trialling an electric version in the US
that can reach speeds of up to 152 km/h.
If trials go well, we could see this model
sexy "Chevy Volt" at Sydney Motor Show
in October. This hybrid electric car can
also operate without fuel and recharge
the battery whilst driving. With a ru-
moured price of under $35,000, this car
will attract a lot of interest. But you're
going to have to wait until about 2012.
With an aim of zero emissions and zero
reliance on oil, the future can't come
soon enough!
to avoid collisions. Electronic Stability
Programs and Anti lock Brakes Systems
that are used today are just the tip of the
iceberg and still rely on driver involve-
ment. Several BMW models currently
available feature a "heads up" display.
This is where important information
such as your speed is reflected in the
windscreen at eye level. This technolo-
gy will become even more sophisticated
and rely less on driver input to steer the
developed is "camera assisted fatigue
recognition". What this does is alert
you if you drift off at the wheel, which
is a damn site better than being alerted
by a pole!
now, you still will in twenty years; how-
ever, the arrangement will be far more
comfortable. As a result of increased
mobility and travel, cars will gradu-
ally transition into the realm of a living
space rather than simply a means of
transportation. Voice activation con-
trols will play a huge role as will wire-
less connectivity. Just say the command
on your way home of "lights on, heat-
ing on, start Nine News in 5 minutes"
and it's all set for your arrival. I'm just
waiting on the day that I can call from
my car and request dinner as well as a
bubble bath where something is not ex-
pected in return!