The vehicle of the future will be not only a vehicle but also a part of us. A good example of how to envisage this development lies in the story of smartphones. Initially, they were simple telephones but in only a few years they developed into pocket-sized, high-performance computers. Appointments, directions and shopping lists can now be juggled easily on these small devices.

With the use of AI, it is conceivable that means of transport will become equally as important in our lives. GPS systems today already incorporate information about accidents and roadworks when calculating routes, and public transport is already sufficiently interconnected that an alternative means of transport is immediately available in case of breakdowns. In the future, these processes will only be optimised further.

“Transport facilities will make decisions in which people are no longer directly involved. We will therefore achieve the first step on the road to autonomous mobility.” There is much discussion surrounding autonomous travel, both of cars and of trams etc., and not all developments for mass transportation have been implemented yet, but that could soon change,” says Charlotte Stix (distinguished in the 2020 “Forbes 30 under 30 Europe”)

You will find more about the future of public transport in SI Urban 1/21 (publication date 01.03.2021).