THE FUTURE OF THE AUTOMOBILE

The Future of the Automobile

Tyler Reller
UNCC
Introduction/Background
The unnerving ring of an alarm clock pierces the stillness of the early morning hours and
shatters the remnants of last nights dreams. The morning begins in a hurried rush. You take a
shower, brush your teeth, and comb your hair. As you put on your clothes and grab your
backpack, youre faced with the horrible realization: you have an assignment due at the
beginning of class in half an hour and you still have to commute to school. But then the fear
subsides as you walk out to your car and unplug it from the wall socket. Stepping inside there is
no steering wheel, there are no gauges, and there are no pedals. You simply turn it on, pick a
destination from the touch screen, and the car takes off.
While this may sound like clich sci-fi fodder, it should not be dismissed as an indulgent
and nave solution to our transportation problems straight from The Jetsons. In fact, such a
reality is closer than many would ever have imagined. The rapid evolution of technology that
has occurred within the last decade or so has hardly been limited to faster computers, smarter
phones, and more capable gaming consoles; the automobile has also seen a huge change in
technology. Advances in computer technology and power have enabled features never before
seen in automobiles such as blind-spot monitoring, radar cruise control, smartphone integration,
and advanced drivetrains. While these features seem remarkable by themselves, their real value

Commented [TR1]: The first paragraph of your paper

really grabbed my interest. You do not even have to tell
the reader what your topic is, their mind is already
wrapped around the idea of futuristic automobiles.
(Jake W.)
Commented [TR2]: You can tell how passionate you
are about the topic by the descriptive words you use
and I think this is very important for writing a paper. If
you are not into your writing, then how can your reader
get into it? (Jake W.)
Commented [TR3]: I really enjoyed reading the
introduction of your paper. It was a great hook and
most definitely caught my attention. The descriptive
details you used automatically notify the reader that
they are reading a research paper about futuristic
automobiles. Great job! (Erin E.)
Commented [TR4]: I like how I notice your personal
relation to the topic throughout the entire paper. It is
evident that you are very passionate about
automobiles. I believe this helps keep the reader fully
engaged while reading the entirety of your paper. (Erin
E.)
Commented [TR5]: The introductory paragraphs seem
flawless. I really like how you grab the reader's
attention then explain it very well in the next paragraph,
not leaving any details out. IT gives the reader a good
idea of the paper and also hooks his interest.(Justin H)
Commented [TR6]: Through the paper youre coming
from two different perspectives, those who love driving
and the automobile and those who see it as a chore.
Maybe relate this into your introduction more and what
the paper is about. It seems like the description of the
paper is a bit vague. (Justin H)

THE FUTURE OF THE AUTOMOBILE

will be in their ability to facilitate even further changes. This paper explores how cars will
evolve going into the future.
Before delving into the science behind unraveling the secrets of the future to discern what
is to become of the automobile as we know it, I shall divulge my personal connection to the topic
at hand. Ive been car-obsessed ever since I was a fetus. My lust for all things automobilerelated deepened as I was exposed to car magazines and car shows. While I am personally
something of a Luddite when it comes to cars, I am completely enamored with the myriad ways
that engineers and designers have utilized technology to make automobiles faster, safer, cleaner,
and more people-friendly.
Review of Relevant Literature
One important aspect regarding the future of the automobile is what propulsion source
will take over as the preferred choice. With ever-increasing concern for the environment, many
different solutions have abounded in the last few years. Hydrogen has been championed by
many as the future, but very few steps have been taken in that direction. One idea is to break
water down to get hydrogen that is used to power fuel cells, which release water to the
atmosphere. Biofuels could work too, but the stranglehold of big oil and big automobile has
prevented a lot of progress (Carson & Vaitheeswaran, 2007). Others contend that electric

Commented [TR7]: I did not see where you specified

the common themes shared between your sources. I
believe this is critical information and beneficial to the
reader. It is evident that you know the common themes
between your sources but if I were you I would just be
sure to make a specific statement because Ashlyn told
us to. (Erin E.)
Commented [TR8]: I love how descriptive you are
throughout the entirety of your paper however there are
some words that I think you could simplify. I understand
automobiles are very technical however I feel that the
reader could become very confused because you do
not define the technical jargon. A specific example that
I am referring to is in your review of relevant literature.
You state, One important aspect regarding the future
of the automobile is what propulsion source will take
over as the preferred choice. Of course I could look up
the definition of propulsion but I think it would be helpful
to use context clues to define the technical terms used
throughout your paper. (Erin E.)

vehicles are the future. The CEO of the electric car maker Tesla has chosen to stop enforcing the
hundreds of patents his company has developed. He hopes that by doing so he can encourage the
development of electric vehicles and raise the percentage of electric vehicles sold past the 1
percent mark. Teslas technology has been benefical to many car makers already, and BMW has
expressed interest in sharing Teslas battery tech (Peralta, 2014).

Commented [TR9]: I noticed that all of your

paragraphs in your lit review section end with an in text
citation. While I am aware that you are citing the
information you acquired from these sources, I believe
transition sentences in between paragraphs would be
helpful. Transition statements will help immensely with
the flow of your essay. (Erin E.)

THE FUTURE OF THE AUTOMOBILE

Much thought has also been directed toward what the transportation network of the future
will look like. Henry Fords grandson Ford alleges that freedom of mobility is limited by the
number of cars on the road. There are 800 million cars worldwide, which will grow to 2-4
billion cars by mid-century. The average American spends a week a year in traffic jams; the
average driver in Bejing has a five hour commute. In the future, 75 percent will live in cities,
and 50 of those cities will have 10 million people or more. Ford alleges that the future will
require smarter public transit and smarter parking. Ford envisions a smart vehicle network
connected the same way social networks connect us, a car that can find parking itself, and smart
taxis you can hail with your smartphone (NPR/Ted Staff, 2014). Fords vision of connected cars
is far from far-fetched. The department of transportation intends to attempt to implement
mandatory vehicle to vehicle communication. A test of such a system has reduced accidents by
70 or 80 percent. The NHTSA did not mention self-driving cars, only that this system would use
vehicle to vehicle systems to alert drivers to potential dangers (Peralta, 2014).
Connected car systems could facilitate other automotive developments, such as
automation. Such technology does come with drawbacks, however. Google intends to make its
autonomous car available to the public within a year. Numerous automakers have stated they
want to sell autonomous cars by 2020. The biggest issue is making it safe. Templeton says
autonomous cars could alleviate or eliminate the number of greenhouses gases and road deaths.
Downsides include elimination of paid driving jobs, the possibility of increased suburban sprawl,
increased laziness, and the possibility of government corruption (Rath, 2014). Others have
expressed similar concerns. Nicholas Carr is a critic of automation and thinks the decline of
drivers started with the introduction of the navigation, which he compares to pilots who are so
used to autopilot they are incapable and ineffective in emergency situations. Carr also brings up

Commented [TR10]: I like how you address the

thought of automation in cars. You stated the benefits
and then the risks which is very important for the
reader. I also like how you compare automotive
automation with other forms such as auto pilot.
However, autopilot does not have pedestrians walking
in front of you every few seconds in inner city traffic.
(Jake W.)

THE FUTURE OF THE AUTOMOBILE

the issue of alert fatigue, where people just stop paying attention to alerts the car gives. He also
brings up the issue that car makers have to codify difficult decisions, such as how a car should
respond if it has to pick between a head on collision and hitting a pedestrian (NPR Staff, 2014).
Entering the Conversation
Most people view driving as a chore, a sort of necessary evil. The popularity of the
automobile has raged for so long in part because of the aversion of honest, hardworking
Americans to subject themselves to public transportation. Time spent behind the wheel, exerting
concentration upon the road and all of the other drivers is, to most people, time that could be
better spent doing something else. These people will no doubt rejoice at the advent of the
driverless automobile, a perfect marriage of the Thoreauvian freedom and seclusion of the
automobile with the ease of use of public transportation. Other people relish the time they spend
driving. To them an open road, a steering wheel, and some pedals are all the ingredients needed
for a perfect relief from their workaday lives. How will these people, who enjoy the noise of an
automobiles engine, the sensations of turning a wheel and changing gears, and the mere concept
of driving, cope in a world where cars are electric, steering wheels and pedals are unneeded, and
driving is done for you?
The freedom of mobility and sense of adventure conveyed by the automobile has made
the past hundred or so years unlike any other in human history. It is fair to say that the increased
mental, social, and physical freedom brought forth by the advent of the automobile was as great a
revolution in the previous century as the advent of new communications technology will be in
this one. One only needs to examine the United States to see the evidence. From road side
motels to drive through restaurants to highway tourist traps, the United States is a country built
around the automobile. While the novelty of the automobile has worn off somewhat over the

Commented [TR11]: In the conversation overall you

do a great job at explaining what may happen from
many different angles. You seem to know all the
drawbacks from each technology and are able to argue
valid points. It goes beyond simply what you stated the
paper to be about and into much deeper, well thought
out, detail. (Justin H)
Commented [TR12]: The first paragraph of entering
the conversation is detailed, but it seems like it could
be split up since you have the first half talking about
evils and the second half of the paragraph talking about
how people love driving. Providing separation may
make it easier to distinguish points. (Justin H)

THE FUTURE OF THE AUTOMOBILE

years, to many the act of driving a car is still the ultimate expression of freedom. The ability to
just get in the car and drive anywhere and at any pace the heart desires, carries a certain romantic
notion. Because of this powerful sensation, many have become united with a love for the
automobile, as evidenced by the hundreds of car shows and magazines that focus on every aspect
of the automobile and driving experience. From low-riders to drifters to hot-rodders, the
automobile and everything it represents, is the ultimate fascination in life.
The evidence suggests that there are two main ways to look at the automobile. To some,
it is a necessary evil that, although it fills a need for transportation, is also responsible for air
pollution, noise pollution, car accidents, congestion, and financial expense. To others, the
automobile means much more. From a simple tool to escape the boredom of everyday life, to a
rolling canvas, the automobile represents a great boon to society that balances out its negatives
with its positives. With future changes coming to the automobile such as electric drive and
autonomous drive, the first group should soon see its grievances with the automobile alleviated
and eliminated. The second group, however, may experience much of what they enjoy about the
automobile diminished by these same changes. Those who enjoy the thrill of acceleration, the
sound of an engine, and the sensations of steering, changing gears, and braking may find very
little to enjoy about electric cars that handle all of the driving themselves. Using information
gathered about the expected future of the automobile, I will attempt to predict the ways driving
enthusiasts will survive the future.
To understand why car enthusiasts may feel some misgivings about the future of the
automobile, it is important to remember why they came to enjoy driving in the first place. To
driving enthusiasts, the sensations of revving out an engine, steering, braking, cornering, and
changing gears are all things meant to be appreciated. The makeup of the car of the future may

Commented [TR13]: I like how you bring up the point

of how if cars were to drive themselves, where is the
fun it that? Some people like to go fast and drift tight
corners but you cant do that if your car is steering
itself. So why not make the automation optional in a
car? Just like how a manual transmission is still
optional in most cars. Just because something is old,
does not mean it is has to be out of date and unused.
(Jake W.)

THE FUTURE OF THE AUTOMOBILE

replace or undermine these sensations. Electric motors are quickly gaining favor as the
propulsion system of the future because of their increasing practicality due to developments in
battery technology and their ability to provide emissions-free transportation within cities. But to
a car enthusiast, electric motors cannot match the angry roar of a high-performance engine. The
autonomous vehicle is also quickly gaining favor as technology grows in support of it. The extra
free time from not having to concentrate on the road and the increased safety of eliminating
human error are more than enough to draw support. But to the driving enthusiast, being
chauffeured by a robot is antithetical to the purpose of the automobile, which is to be driven and
enjoyed. In the future, as car makers move to meet the needs of the majority of the public,
driving enthusiasts may find very few vehicles geared toward driver involvement and enjoyment.
While buying a new driver-oriented car will certainly become harder than simply popping
into the local dealership and picking what you like, driving enthusiasts need not despair. Kit cars
are exempt from most government regulations, and while they are presently a minuscule fraction
of the cars on the road, they will see a lot of new business from driving enthusiasts whose needs
are not catered to by mainstream car brands. While government legislation has traditionally
always encouraged the technological advancement of automobiles, it is possible that in the future
government agencies could recognize the priorities of driving enthusiasts and use legislation to
allow the manufacture of driving enthusiast oriented automobiles that do not meet the same
emissions and safety standards that mainstream cars do. Many car enthusiasts will likely tend to
keep older, lower-technology cars, as opposed to buying newer, higher-tech ones. Others will
search out older cars in junkyards and fields to restore to driving condition. With the massive
collective knowledge and supplies of the internet, it should be easier than ever to keep a vintage
car on the road.

THE FUTURE OF THE AUTOMOBILE

One obstacle that may stand in the way of vintage car owners is vehicle to vehicle
technology (v2v). This is a relatively new technology born from the experience that has been

Commented [TR14]: If all cars were just hooked up to

one massive super computer, couldnt the system just
be hacked, resulting in mass chaos on the roads?
(Jake W.)

gained recently in cellular and data networks. What the technology does is connect cars on the
road via one giant information sharing network. This allows all v2v equipped cars to have
access to the information regarding the decisions of all the other drivers on the road. The
implication of this is that cars can use this data in conjunction with their current safety systems to
prevent car accidents. For instance, if the driver of one car tries to cut off a car behind it, the
following car can use information from the leading car and apply the brakes to prevent an
accident. Such technology is crucial to making autonomous cars work, and federal government
regulatory agencies are already taking steps to mandate such technology in future cars. This puts
those who prefer vintage cars in a tricky spot. With cars that were designed with little or no
computing power on board, sustaining v2v would be next to impossible. This would make
vintage cars obstacles that autonomous car would need to dodge, and would undermine the
integrity of a network of connected cars, which could force legislators to ban vintage cars from
the road.
While banning vintage cars from the road would eliminate the traffic concern, vintage car
owners would likely be heartbroken by being unable to drive their precious machines. Luckily,
careful implementation of government legislation could reduce any such apocalyptic future from
occurring. It is an observable pattern that most traffic follows certain patterns. Highways
stretched between the cities and the suburbs, and the main arteries of big cities see a
disproportionately large amount of traffic, while curvy back roads and two-lane highways see
little traffic. Government legislation could restrict access to these main arteries to modern
vehicles with v2v technology. Back roads and relatively disused highways would be reserved

Commented [TR15]: Are there implementations being

made for future roadways as well? Or is it just in the
cars themselves? (Jake W.)

THE FUTURE OF THE AUTOMOBILE

for vintage cars without v2v. This would allow society to reap the safety benefits of a network
of smart vehicles that can all communicate with each other, while allowing fans of vintage cars
places to go for a drive. This solution could very well appease both groups, because it allows
owners of autonomous cars practical access to the destinations they frequent most, while also
allowing vintage car owners to spend time enjoying their cars on scenic drives.
Conclusion/So-What?
The present and future are proving to be one of the most exciting times in history for the
evolution of the automobile. In this paper, I have reviewed how various aspects of the
automobile may change and how car enthusiasts can assimilate with the changing future of
motoring. The propulsion systems of cars in the future are likely to migrate away from fossil
fuels to more eco-friendly solutions. Cars are also going to become connected to each other,
creating an infrastructure that will help support autonomous driving. Car enthusiasts will have to
search for cars appropriate for their desires and may have to find different places to drive then
before.
Because car enthusiasts do not comprise a majority of car buyers, their wants/needs may
not be catered to in the future. This paper suggests how whatever challenges they face may be
mitigated. The future of the automobile is indeed an important topic. Most of us still depend on
the automobile, to some degree or other, for our transportation needs, therefore it is important
that we understand how the automobile will evolve through the future. Understanding the future
of the automobile can help us understand how to reduce pollution and car accidents.
Understanding the future of the automobile can help us understand how society can help ease
congestion. Understanding the future of the automobile is, to some degree, understanding how
the basic transportation structure that underpins the economy will change in the future and the

Commented [TR16]: The conclusion is written well

and restates main keys of the essay as well as giving
good areas of interest to be studied in the future. I
would use this in my own paper if I had the same topic.
(Justin H)

THE FUTURE OF THE AUTOMOBILE

effects that it will have. Even though this was an extremely comprehensive essay, there are other
areas regarding the future of the automobile that are dying to be explored. One area to research
is how car ownership patterns will changed with the increased expense of owning a car, in
addition to increased urbanization. Other areas of research could the future of the automobile in
less developed nations, the future of automobile racing, the future of automotive journalism, and
more.
References
Carson, I., & Vaitheeswaran, V. (2007, October 3). Fueling the Cars of the Future [Radio
broadcast]. Charlotte : NPR.
Glinton, S. (2013). Whats In Stores For Commutings Future? (Hint: Theres Hope) [Radio
series episode]. In Morning Edition. Charlotte: NPR.
NPR Staff (2014). Hands-Free, Mind-Free: What we lose through automation [Radio series
episode]. In All tech considered. Charlotte: NPR
NPR/Ted Staff. (2014). How does Henry Fords Great-Grandson Envision the Future [Radio
series episode]. In Ted Radio Hour. Charlotte: NPR.
Peralta, E. (2014). Tesla Motors Hope to Accelerate Electric Car Industry [Radio series
episode]. In Morning Edition. Charlotte: NPR.
Peralta, E. (2014). U.S One Step Closer to Future where Cars Talk to Each Other [Radio
series episode]. In The Two-Way. Charlotte: NPR.
Rath, A. (2014). Is There a Driverless Car in Your Future? [Radio series episode]. In All things

THE FUTURE OF THE AUTOMOBILE

considered. Charlotte: NPR.
Reller, Tyler. Observation Draft Number Two. Assignment One, UNCC, 2014.
Schumacher-Matos, E. (2011). Wishful Thinking Vs. Reality: Framing the Future of FuelEfficient Cars [Radio series episode]. In npr ombudsman. Charlotte: NPR.

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