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Autonomous vehicles are set to transform the way people get around by 2030, thanks to 5G technology, according to a study by communications giant Vodafone.
The firm has published a new report, Connected Consumer 2030, which it says highlights key trends that will drive the future of connectivity.
One of these trends regards autonomous vehicles, which according to Vodafone will be facilitated by fast connectivity using 5G.
The report states: "By 2030, connectivity will enable the creation of fully autonomous mobility systems that redefine how urban citizens get from A to B.
"Smart mobility systems sit at the heart of future cities. Once connected, vehicles become part of an eco-system able to provide vehicles and their users with critical data on road conditions and traffic, optimising journeys and paving the way for autonomous driving."
According to the report, potential benefits of connected cars include reduced journey times, lower emissions, and quieter urban environments.
Speaking at a live event held to mark the release of the report, Valentina Contini, founder of the innovation lab at Porsche Engineering, explained how the trend towards connectivity was motivating carmakers' move towards becoming multi-faceted mobility companies.
She said: "We will need fast and reliable connectivity to enable real autonomous solutions, otherwise there is just a stupider fake human driving a vehicle.
"This is also what the automotive companies are moving for. They are not anymore just [building] the car, they are focusing on 'now we have to build services, understand software, talk to infrastructure, build infrastructure'.
"All these companies that were just doing one thing are becoming systems companies. That will be the big shift in this area."
The report predicts other technological developments associated with autonomous cars will include the use of immersive holograms, allowing retailers to showcase products to passengers while they travel, and the ability for travellers to control their journey from their personal devices, pre-selecting from a series of settings ranging from sightseeing to work and leisure to create a completely tailored passenger experience.
Elias Arnestrand, head of future mobility at Nordic Innovation House, told the report that autonomous driving would first be rolled out with ride hailing services, before then expanding to private vehicles.
He said: "Before we own self-driving cars individually, we'll see ride hailing services lead the way.
"This will be the starting point when it comes to consumer exposure to autonomous vehicles. When we see these services in urban environments, the levels of efficiency and ease will be transformative."
The transport insights form part of a wide-ranging report, which covers predictions as diverse as digitally-connected trees and disease-detecting bathroom mirrors, with Vodafone arguing that a 'connectivity revolution' will take place, involving the average person interacting with a smart device 4,800 times per day.
Vodafone Smart Tech managing director Lutfu Kitapci said: "Over the past two years connectivity has become part of the fabric of our daily lives, helping people stay close to the people and things that matter most to them and solve everyday challenges.
"The findings within the Connected Consumer 2030 report highlight just how the pace of transformation is growing, and how we will sit at the heart of it with our connectivity solutions to help governments, businesses and consumers tackle major societal challenges."
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