Former Lancia design chief Michael Robinson predicts that by 2050 cars will be driving themselves. He made the prediction at the Interior Motives Europe conference held in Turin.
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According to Robinson, who is also the founder of start-up design firm Crossover Creative Consortium, advances in automotive technology will allow OEMs to create cars that are able to drive autonomously.
Such innovations will also allow for a massively reduced physical safety kit count, translating into lower weight and therefore lower emissions, as well as a reduction in traffic accidents, which usually occur due to human error.
The biggest issue to emerge from the event was the industry’s move towards zero–impact cars, with lighter materials, better aerodynamics and fewer elements in vehicles all representing steps towards designing the ultimate ecological vehicle. The majority of car manufacturers are now developing low emission vehicles, as well as continuing research into the integration of sustainable technology into car interiors.
