There are already a growing number of cars on the road with technology and designs that were seen as the work of science fiction not too long ago. Hybrid cars are growing in number, and there now exists sports cars that are exclusively electric. The US state of Nevada has even allowed street-legal driverless cars. But what are the next advances in the automobile industry? Take a look at the following.
The Designs of Brian Malczewski
A recent contest created by EcoMotors asked designers to come up with models based on their opposed piston, opposed cylinder (OPOC) engine. Because the shape of an OPOC engine is lower, shorter, and wider compared to a normal internal combustion engine, the cars had a very unique shape. The winner of the contest was industrial designer Brian Malczewski with this sedan concept:
Source: Car Body Design
Malczewski also creates models with interesting interiors such as this one for a Kia Sportage concept:
Source: Brian Malczewski
Exotic Materials, Unorthodox Cars
Innovation can also come in the materials used. There are many that mention carbon nanotubes, which are stronger than still but thinner than hair. It use is twofold – it can be used for exteriors and for updating the batteries in electric vehicles. An even stranger material is the one Swiss car design firm Rinspeed used for their BamBoo electric car. Its interior uses, as you can guess, bamboo.
Source: Car and Driver
Drive Different
Could you imagine that Steve Jobs was also fascinated by automobiles? As part of his overall plan to spread the Apple brand past computers as he had with the iPod and iPhone, he at some point considered driving his car obsession right into the automobile industry though an iCar. This only came to light during the trial between Samsung and Apple over smartphones. With his death, the iCar may not come to pass, but maybe current CEO Tim Cook might take the idea seriously again.
Source: Intelligent Computing
These are just the beginning of advanced cars. New ventures like Volkswagen’s People’s Car Project are already producing ideas like music-tuned Beetles and cars that hover. Will those outrageous concepts send other future cars to used car dealerships before they even leave the factory? The only way to know is to go to one and find out.
Story by: Jesus Garay