Mobilon: Techno-trendy mobility in 2030

It is 2030, you are in a ‘Mobilon’ an autonomously driven mobility device going to work and multitasking efficiently to maximise time. The Mobilon is intelligent as it talks to everything (V2X) – with other vehicles, toll stations, traffic stops, remote fleet managers; connectivity with off-board data and services, has three-layered protection so makes mobility and data exchange much safer and secure.

Eighty percent of the materials are recyclable and the four-seater device barely weighs 700 kilograms. Power in the Mobilon can be scaled up or down by streaming electrons through wireless connectivity with a remotely located power bank in any region of the world. The Mobilon once synchronised with your phone pops up your last visited favourite restaurants, shopping area, theatre and other favorite stops.   

PAST FORWARD
The cost effective technology prowess of the Mobilon has reached this stage by development over the last couple of decades. In the early 21st century, onboard sensors and in vehicle networking got maximum R&D funding. On-ground infrastructure and data management lagged and were still integrating with vehicles.

Automated driving systems had basic ability only to blend and upgrade with vehicle sensors and controllers. Consumers demanded then and even now in 2030, comfort and convenience whereas standards and regulations focus mainly on safety primarily as they did then. Data showed that 70-plus percentage of drivers in mature markets then would wait for connectivity in vehicles before making buying decisions.

Since the early 21st century, navigation systems, telematics, infotainment and other revenue have grown 50X with a hectic pace of development. The race to capture customers by OEMs and the infrastructure providers was hectic since all were seeking differentiators.

The growth of smart cities and infrastructure has seen growth of autonomous vehicles and zero emission mobility. Mobilons are now powered through hydrogen or mixture of hydrogen and low sulphur fuels, and electrons-based energy storage devices. Personal ownership of Mobilons is minimal as they are available on time share and lease.

Big businesses or even the OEMs operate fleets or multiples of ‘call on order a Mobilon’ thus keeping mobility flexible and costs to a minimum while harnessing economies of scale. Even the few older vehicles powered through conventional and flex fuels have ultra clean tailpipe emissions to meet 2030 BS XI standards.

Regulators and policy makers only conduct random audits and fleet owners of Mobilons have the onus to prove clean and safe mobility experience to the users. Mobilon users can provide real-time feedback through wireless communication as they return their private Mobilon or alight from a public Mobilon. This feedback goes to a central remote monitoring agency. In case a predefined number of negatives are exceeded, operation of that fleet operator is automatically suspended for a week to give them time to review and fix issues.   

ENHANCED SAFETY
Safety innovations are the ones that give occupants a secure feeling while driving. Pre-collision warnings, automatically slowing or steering away, the use of ultra sound, night vision and lane change mechanisms enhance road safety. Seatbelts are now replaced with piezo electric actuated buttons that keep the occupants secured to their seats. These buttons hold the chest and thighs of the occupant and work as active safety devices based on piezo electric principles. Airbags are replaced by high impedance cushions to prevent injury to occupants. The impedance changes in the device based on speed and impact to the Mobilon.

Higher impedance results in stronger hold of the occupant during any unexpected impact. Mobilon does not move unless all occupants are secured in their seats and the piezo sensors handshake with safety controller. Mobilons can surf seamlessly between cellular, Wi-Fi, and occasional satellite connections as they drive, convey road conditions and communicate any accidents. They automatically change routes in case of real time congestion or occupants’ request to change destination. 

Mobility mainly can be propelled through a motoring device that drives the wheels. Lightweight, gearless electric drives used in high-speed elevators have become cost effective and programmable to drive Mobilons. Mobilons are 80 percent charged before leasing to public or private users. This is done in centralized bays using hydrogen and energy storage devices or through power that is streamed wirelessly, even in case they are stranded on road. Prognostics has immensely improved reliability and help in reduction of failures and down time of Mobilons. 

Mass market mobility has become significantly cost efficient without the need of owning a Mobilon. If the Mobilon becomes inoperable in its default autonomous mode, one can switch to the override option with a joystick to limp home or get to a safe location.

Material innovations have come a long way in recyclability and usage of different steels and aluminium alloys has grown. Shape memory alloys called the Mobilloys are popularly deployed. Mobilloys can be transformed into any shape with 120 percent higher rigidity by smart nano particles embedded in the elemental grids. Mobilloys are used for structural members. Wood stock and waste fibre particles impregnated in high-strength plastics and composites is commonly used instead of carbon fibre alone. Steel pistons in engines, rheological nano fluids for suspensions, electrical dampers are commonly deployed besides the extensive electrical and electronics. 

3D printing of Mobilon systems is taught by consortiums of skill development centres and academic partnerships.  A new variant of Mobilon is launched in less than 12 months due to high intensity virtual engineering and digital simulations. Solar powered manufacturability has become modularised and Mobilons are assembled as in a cottage industry generating self-employment for millions. Servicing is more dispersed and easy to conduct through this model. Logistics, spares turnaround, costs and service time are reduced dramatically by this self-employment model. 

Mobilon is the excitement for the passionate global mobility fraternity to unleash innovation for transformation and continually implement solutions at fast pace for autonomous sustainable driving.