The future of human transport

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Monolith

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Modern day life is made possible by the ability to move people and resources from one place to the other in ways that are efficient, safe, and reliable. The concept of transportation—the business of conveying goods and people — is fundamental to shaping communities and the places in which they develop.

But what new developments, with today's technological advancements, is on the horizon to make transportation safer, quicker, more cost effective and fun?

Do you think these new alternative modes of transportation will become a reality? Like the recently unveiled Segway HT? Will people actually use this?

What happened to the visions the futurists of the 30's & 50's had of flying cars, antigravity, jet packs or Transporter technology?
 
Jeeeez! This looks like it came directly off of an essay test question.
What are your thoughts on the above, Monolith?

Peace.
 
Alternatives

Hi Goofyfish,

I think the modern automobile is inefficient. Too much traffic and too much pollution are caused by the single driver driving his/her eight seater SUV to work every morning. What we need is a good single passenger solution.

Here is just a small smattering of past and present ideas to ponder:

http://www.moller.com - The Moller Flying Car.

http://www.retrofuture.com/flyingcar.html - Flying cars of the past.

http://www.sfmayor.com/Sparrow - The Sparrow : Single passenger, zero emissions.

http://www.amphicar.com - Official Website of The International Amphicar Owners Club

http://www.news24.co.za/News24/Wheels24/News/0,3999,2-15-47_1059396,00.html - Amphibious supercar about to hit production.

and of course the Segway aka, Ginger - http:://www.segway.com
 
There is no breakthrough technology in the next few years. But the fuel cell technology has a lot of promises. Sevearal years ago, I was involved with a start up to create 100[sup]0[/sup]F super conductor wires that went no where. If we can come up with such a motor, then the idea was to make each motor and wheel as one piece item with 50 to 60 HP. Then you get total 200 to 240 HP to get going but use only one motor at hiway speed to save energy.

EFC (Earth Final Conflict) type portals may take 30 years to happen. It is based on going through the 4th spatial dimension. First we have to figure out, if such a dimension exists and then how to move through it...

Air cars are possible now but need a wireless infrastructure to be feasible commercially. May be in 5 years.
 
I can assure you, the automobile will be around for some time to come. The world is just far too dependant on the sale of petroleum to risk that kind of a market, if everyone switched to fuel cells next year the world would be thrown into economic chaos. No, I don't think anything will change until we run out of petroleum.

The EFC portal system would definatly be the most revolutionary of the ideas here. But I don't know if I'd want my molecules scrambled into another dimension by a machine probably running a Microsoft OS :p

I don't think the Segway will do as well as everyone is predicting it will. It's just not practical, no spot to put groceries, no cover in case of rain, no heating for the winter, it's basically a 2 wheeled scooter. It may be a fun toy to have, but I doubt it will even begin to replace cars.
 
transportation

Do you know who David Hamel is and what he is doing. If not look him up on the internet.
 
Originally posted by Monolith
...and of course the Segway aka, Ginger...
Click to expand...
Well, if you really want to know the future of the Segway, I suggest you check out this link. Typical of American society, the "law-vultures" are preparing to feast. It seems that this trendy little idea is heading for a problem.

Peace.
 
I hope these segway things take off because they really are hunks of sh*t. Back when they were hyping it I was hoping for a teleporter or an economic hydrogen car, even a space ship with warp speed (far fetched I know but things were really crazy back then). Instead I get an electric scooter that won't fall over.
 
Re: transportation

Originally posted by cosmonaut
Do you know who David Hamel is and what he is doing
Click to expand...
I’ve heard of him; a classic nut. Apparently the saucer people contacted him and gave him all sorts of advanced technology secrets. Now he's trying to use them to bring free energy to the world. Of course the patent office loses his submissions, and shadowy government figures confiscate his working models, but he perseveres.

By the way, welcome to SciForums!

Peace.
 
Oh yeah, yes yes yes welcome to sciforums cosmonaut! If you find it too overwhelming I find it helps to close one eye!
 
What about no-pilot airplanes?

The technology is there.....but will consumers want to get on a plane with no pilot to override any glass cockpit computer screw ups?

As for flying cars....geez, it depends on the model, probably. If they are anything like flying an airplane then people would have to have groundschool on the basics of flying and each model would have to have it's own "checklist" so then people would have to take more lessons and have many hours logged in to be deemed "airsafe" -- hell, it's certainly possible but I don't know how feesible it would be......perhaps for those of us who are willing to go through the training and an AFFORD it....but what about the regular guy/gal?
 
Hi Ana,

pilotless planes are certainly a possibility. Not too long ago I recall seeing automatic navigating cars - where the vehicle senses either the vehicle in front of it or some sensor embedded in the highway. I don't see why a similar technology could not be applied to air travel. Possibly utilizing satellite GPS technology.

As for the feasibility of a new form of air related travel, well, that is the real question. Will it be affordable, make sense and ultimately be adopted by the main stream? Certainly there are those that think they have developed the answer to those questions. But all of that remains to be seen.
 
Originally posted by Monolith
As for the feasibility of a new form of air related travel, well, that is the real question. Will it be affordable, make sense and ultimately be adopted by the main stream? Certainly there are those that think they have developed the answer to those questions. But all of that remains to be seen.
Click to expand...

Yes, it can be affordable, and safe (with airbags and vehicle parachutes). But with a sue-happy country like ours, who is going to build it?

I have the design if you have the money....
 
But with a sue-happy country like ours, who is going to build it?
Click to expand...

I think you make a good point kmguru. The way that the law system works and what is acceptable practice has changed quite a bit over the years.

Back when cars were first developed, it was considered a hobby item. No one ever drove more than 20 miles from their home in their lifetime! But, given enough time, things change. The airlines are another good example of this.

So I guess whatever new modes of transport are developed would have to follow the same model. Maybe it’s only available to the hobbyist or only available to the rich – at first. Then as popularity and price adapt to accommodate the ordinary man, then this too will be accepted as the “norm”.

I think hybrid and electric cars may make this leap and transition out of necessity – as fossil fuels become less feasible over time.
 
Now that we can create tabletop nuclear fusion - the days of high density energy is here. OR is it? Will it be quashed by the big oil companies? Will Honda produce the first Fusion Car?...
 
Not anytime soon I'm afraid. As you know the nuetron radiation would kill the operator of the vehicle within a few weeks from radiation poisoning. That is, all those high energy nuetrons being emitted from the reaction would rip apart cells and molecules like microscopic bullets.

Being nuetral, they go right through most materials and are only slowed when they hit the nuclei of another atom, in which case they can break apart that nuclei or make that atom radioactive.

Many fusion reactor designs would have secondary heat from the radioactive nature of the shielding material from this effect that would be enough to melt that very same sheilding material I think.
 
Water is a good shield for neutron radiation. Just change the water regularly. You could build concentric water tanks made of SS Steel and Boron Carbide to absorb the neutrons and also any gamma rays.
 
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lack of attention to improving technology

The lack of attention to improving technology viz-a-viz transport has been perplexing , considering the amazing technological improvements made in materials ,lubricants , heat sealing ,monitoring etc., it seems that new improvements to transport have been an oversight.

I found some prototype designs are available at: http://conceptengine.tripod.com
 
In the 1960s, Mazda marketed the “Wankle” rotary engine design along the same principle. They had problems with the gasket - or what would be rings in a reciprocating engine wearing out in a short period of time - and the engine did not sell well. It seems, however, that the idea was not forgotten, and the Wankel might be making a comeback in the “hyprid” market. It is good to see older technology made young again.

wankelani.gif


http://vintagecars.about.com/library/weekly/aa101897.html
http://www.monito.com/wankel/hydrogen.html

Peace.
 
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