Cars that drive themselves, send only harmless water vapour into the air, order their own replacement parts and change colours at the touch of a button. Caroline McConnachie takes a look at the car of the future.

Fuel for thought

Pandemonium erupted when the world’s worst fuel shortage occurred over 30 years ago. The world was going to end, no less. It didn’t, clearly, but it did provide a precedent for next time – now.

The response to petrol’s dwindling supply has been pragmatic. Every car manufacturer is scouting for an alternative fuel and the source voted ‘most likely to succeed’ is hydrogen-powered electricity.

Hydrogen is popular because there’s a limitless supply and its waste product is water vapour, not nasty carbon dioxide. So, why aren’t we pulling out all stops to use this miracle fuel?

Hydrogen is expensive and cumbersome for mass production. There’s also the challenge of producing it. The easiest extraction methods use fossil fuels such as coal and nuclear energy, and while greener options exist, they aren’t practical yet.

After hydrogen cars, the second most driven vehicle is expected to be hybrids, like the Toyota Prius which uses both an alternative fuel and petrol. Expect to see improvements on these already clever technologies, such as the ability to harness the heat from braking to top up battery levels.

Car engineer Ben Hershman, who is product planning manager of Hyundai, believes that beyond 20 years from now, engines will add oxygen to the atmosphere.

“One day we’ll have cars completely independent of other sources: they’ll have the equivalent of a mini nuclear plant that runs for the life of the car,” he says.

Tech heads

Computers changed how we live. In the car, they’re going to be just as influential. Let’s take a test drive in the car of the future.

You’ll notice there’s no key. Instead an identity card recognises you, politely opens the door and prepares the car to your taste – your favourite radio station and air-con settings switch on, seat and mirror adjustments are made. A button starts the engine.

If you want to lend your car to someone they will be able to input their preferences, but you will get the final say. So if your brother isn’t known for his light foot you can restrict the car’s speed to the legal limit.

I’d suggest looking under the bonnet, but there’s no access. The car is self-monitoring: it broadcasts to the dealership when it needs servicing, the parts are ordered and the car owner notified.

Networking cars

Today’s drivers communicate with a honk, a hand gesture or an expletive. Glimpse ahead two decades and the difference is stark: cars will do the talking, not just to each other but also with the environment.

Idiots will still roam our roads but with wireless technology and Global Positioning Systems hopefully they won’t be such loose cannons.

General Motors is one of many manufacturers testing vehicles installed with hyper-intelligent software. So when a driver indicates to change lanes and hasn’t seen a car in its blind spot, their seat will vibrate and a visual cue will appear on the dashboard.

Also, through a series of complicated algorithms and satellite feeds, the vehicle can monitor and swap information on cars within a set distance, ensuring a safe space between commuters. Information on road conditions can be circulated and traffic congestion avoided.

Locally, Holden is developing technology that warns a driver when they are coming to a corner, and if the alert is ignored, it automatically corrects their path. In conjunction with the University of Queensland, the car maker is working on a device that enables cars to visually recognise speed signs.

Ask Holden’s chief of innovation, Dr Laurie Sparke and other car experts where this is all heading and the answer is: self-driving cars.

We’ll probably be approaching retirement but beyond 30 years from now you’ll be able to command your car to take you somewhere. Easy.

Designer looks

“Car making is part of the fashion industry – we provide an accessory,” notes Sparke. He’s not joking. The modern car will be the ultimate personality statement. Half the cost will be the body, and the other half will be spent on individually selected software enhancements.

For US$300,000 in loose change, car builder Spyker allows customers to watch their car being built online. Down the track this luxury will become available to everyone, according to Sparke. “We’ll have a production line of one,” he says, and while it’s being assembled customers can make changes.

Material world

The skin of the car is getting plenty of updates.

How about a dial on the dashboard that alters the exterior colour, paint that doesn’t need washing, or scratched surfaces that self-heal?

There are endless opportunities. Hershman thinks we’ll see car bodies built of an advanced glass material which tints according to the sun’s angle.

Of course, it’s impossible to predict the discoveries around the corner that could spin cars off in a completely new direction. But, for now, it gives us something to dream about while stuck in traffic.