The Futuristic Tech That’s Already Implemented in Our Cities
Self–driving cars
Google’s driverless motors are already on the streets of San Francisco. Autoparts maker Delphi’s model recently drove from the city to New York. While there was a human in the car in case of emergency, 99 per cent of the trip was completed in automated mode.
Driverless Trains
Transport for London last year showcased its new Tube trains, which will be able to run without a driver. The carriages are set to come into service by the mid 2020s.
CityMapper
The mapping app for iOS and Android works out when you’ve changed cities, serves up live bus times, hooks into taxi services and suggests more efficient routes.
3D Printers
Usage of 3D Printers are more increasing nowadays. Chinese construction firm WinSun last year announced that it had 3D-printed ten houses in just 24 hours. In January of this year, it constructed a five-storey apartment block in the city of Suzhou. The reduction in waste and labour costs is set to herald a building revolution, and could, in theory, reduce house prices.
Smartwatch
The direction tools on new smartwatch, with haptic feedback for left and right turns, could help to bring an end to us staring dumbly down at our smartphones and crossing roads without looking. Smarter implementation of mapping tech, breaking away from screens, is likely to play an important role in future cities.