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I am constantly surprised about the pace of change within our industry. At our annual national conference last November, Hugh Dickerson, from Google mentioned that, "Today is the slowest day for technology changes for the rest of our lives", meaning the pace of change will only increase more and more rapidly. I was thinking today about the recent changes already now part of the fleet manager's DNA.
No more tax discs, no more paper counterparts on driving licences, Electric vehicles are a feature within fleets, and with RVs similar to diesel vehicles, and of course most drivers would complain if they had a vehicle without Sat-Nav and no connectivity for a smartphone.
So, what's next this year? No idea! But maybe the future is clearer in the longer term.
Imagine a world that looks like the film Minority Report. Automated vehicles, particularly in urbanised areas being the main way of life, low carbon technologies, vehicle sharing, mobility rather than leasing and retina/GPS designed-specific marketing. Is this an unlikely future? Probably not.
Take a few interesting global trends:
I have to say, a few years ago I would have laughed at the thought of an automated vehicle. What next, one that can fly? Hah! Now my opinion has completely changed while researching for last year's members' conference. I've now met a lot of passionate people in a lot of differing industries and I'm convinced it isn't too far away. Maybe it won't happen all at once, like most things.
Yet, imagine this - first we get some help to park the vehicle, then some help to stop the vehicle, then we get some tech to take our hands off the wheel, then the vehicle turns by itself, then it completely takes over at low speeds, then we look back.and think again how far we've come. Then the final step is to let the vehicle completely take over.
The really exciting thing is to see the opportunities this technology brings. We all become more efficient with our time, endure less stress but, most interestingly, it can change a life. It could offer people that have disabilities with access to individual mobility without requiring help - what a wonderful thing.