MIT & Audi are collaborating in order to develop robotic co-drivers for cars of the future. A host of new technologies that rely on GPS, cameras and other sensors will be deployed to control every facet of your car, making you redundant as a driver.

In Western Australia, expect this technology to show up first in mining & farming transport vehicles that are active off the main road system, then possibly the controls will be implemented in vehicles for people with disabilities or who have lost their licences.

It's coming! A roofscape of solar panels are likely to emerge over the sky line in every Western Australian metropolitan suburb. Driven by frightening energy price rises, falling solar array costs and green energy rebates, consumers are highly likely to embrace a solar future. The embrace of this solar future will have a cascading effect on the use of battery driven transport. Why not use your solar array to power your transport as well as your home, office or factory?

Brendon Grylls, Minister for Regional Development in Western Australia, put out a media release to highlight the C2030 summit and said the Community 2030 (C2030) Summit had been developed to engage community, government, industry and business in ‘big picture’ dialogues, ranging from the city foreshore to housing affordability in Broome.

Mr Grylls said the summits would also drill down into the actions and resources needed to get the projects moving.

“The summits offer a real opportunity to guide and support planning for community infrastructure in Western Australia,” he said.

“C2030 is about asking the tough questions, thinking outside traditional parameters and really listening to what the people of WA want in terms of everything from transport to community infrastructure, like recreational facilities.

 “It’s also about looking long term to ensure future generations, both in the metropolitan area and the regions, can grow and prosper.”
Read the full C2030 Media Release here

Student designer Lucaciu from the Melbourne RMIT University has invisioned the taxi of the future which will be enviromentally friendly, runnning on hydrogen and sport the very latest in technology enhancements. The vehicle has been carefully designed to address the needs of the typical Aussie passenger.

With all modern car accessories in place, which include GPS, night riding system, passenger entertainment system, information hub, Smart Card system and disability access, the taxi doesn’t pollute the environment in any way. The vehicle is propelled by hydrogen fuel cells and an electric motor that gets its fuel from roof-mounted solar cells. The electric batteries can also be recharged in a more conventional way by plugging the vehicle into a wall socket.