For the car-obsessed, the current explosion of technological advances taking place in the automotive industry is the stuff dreams are made of, AKA the cars of the future. So much so, that sometimes you might think you’re in a dream or a sci-fi movie because the cars of the future sure don’t look like the cars of the present. Yep, it’s a brave new world of electric cars, cars that literally drive themselves and cars that keep you connected in ways you never thought possible. We’re taking a sneak peek at some of the coolest cars the future has on the horizon. So, sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Hyundai
Elevate
– With
four spider-like, jointed legs the wheels are attached to, the Hyundai
Elevate can boldly go where no car has gone before, like up a five-foot wall.
The insect-like concept car can navigate terrain that would be impossible for
other cars. The body of the car stays completely level, while the legs can bend
and climb over any number of obstacles, making it a great option for disaster
recovery and rescue applications. During normal highway driving, the passive
suspension system takes over, cutting power to the legs and it drives like a
normal car. VIDEO
Bell
Nexus
– Like something
straight out of the Jetson’s, this wild air taxi is less auto and more aircraft.
Designed to comfortably seat four passengers and the pilot,the Bell
Nexus features vertical takeoff and landing and is powered by a hybrid-electric
propulsion system that activates six ducted, tilting fans. The air taxi can
land on a 40 x 40 -foot landing pad and can currently travel 150 miles in one
hour. VIDEO
Bosch
Autonomous Shuttle
– This
self-driving all-electric shuttle could take ride sharing to a whole new level.
The ultra-modern design seats four passengers but also has standing room in the
center similar to a subway car or airport shuttle. Customers use their
smartphones to locate the nearest shuttle and again upon arrival to identify
themselves. Bosch’s perfectly keyless entry digital access service recognizes
the owner of the smartphone and opens the vehicle for that person only. The
software also notifies the passenger instantly on their smartphone if they left
something behind (unless of course, they forgot their phone). The shuttle also
features infotainment screens and on-board wi-fi passengers can connect to. VIDEO
Mercedes-Benz
Vision Urbanetic
– This
dual-purpose concept car has interchangeable modules that transform it from a
passenger vehicle to a cargo transporter. Yes, like many of the latest offerings
in future forward vehicles, the Urbanetic is electric and can drive itself. In
passenger vehicle-mode, it can hold 12 people. Cargo-mode has 353 cubic feet of
space. That’s enough room to transport 10 pallets. With a large, panoramic
moonroof encircled in LED lights, wild window shapes, and body style, it’s the
look of the Urbanetic that screams futuristic. VIDEO
KIA
R.E.A.D.
– Even
though KIA didn’t actually roll out a concept car this year, they did roll out
its Real-time Emotion Adaptive Driving system. The READ system is the next step
in dialing in to the passenger experience. It uses AI technology to monitor a
passenger’s emotional state and reacts accordingly by adjusting and optimizing
the passenger’s experience. It uses bio-signal recognition technology that
analyzes facial expressions, heart rate, and electrodermal activity to detect
stress levels and adjusts cabin lighting and sound to create a more relaxing,
personalized environment. It also features music-response vibration in the
seats, so passengers don’t just hear their favorite tunes – they feel them.
Your seat can also shift into massage mode. Your car will literally be able to
get to know you. VIDEO
Needless to say, the automotive industry is changing at a rapid pace. The cars of the future sure have a lot of cool things to look forward to. But one thing that isn’t likely to change is the need for talented automotive technicians. So, if you’ve got a passion for all things automotive, why not turn that passion into a career? You can start by checking out the automotive technology program at J-Tech Institute. J-Tech is driving futures forward by training the next generation of talented automotive technicians. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a tour of our 168,000 square foot training facility in Jacksonville, FL. Get on the road to your future today!