With that in mind, we\u2019re going to run down 5 big changes that we\u2019re expecting to see in automobile technology in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
1. Greater Energy Efficiency as We Shift Towards Electric Vehicles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Over the past five years, the energy efficiency movement has been given a shot to the heart due to a couple of factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firstly, multiple countries are transitioning to only selling zero-emission vehicles<\/a> within the next 10-20 years, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a result, vehicle manufacturers are ramping up production and investing in electric and hybrid vehicles. Thus, another pain point commonly associated with EVs has improved: the total range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For electric cars, Tesla\u2019s emergence has been a big factor in demonstrating how far-range technology has come. Its latest models have a total range of over 400 miles<\/a>. This has led to car manufacturers further investing in range technology to attempt to hit the same numbers as Tesla. But, what does range look like for electric motorcycles? The total range of electric motorbikes has previously been a stick to beat the industry with. Here are two stereotypes you may have heard:<\/p>\n\n\n\n While this was a concern for the early electric motorbikes, these stereotypes are beginning to look like old news. We\u2019ve been able to tackle this range and weight conundrum by creating HyperDrive\u2122.<\/p>\n\n\n\n HyperDrive\u2122<\/a> is the world\u2019s first monocoque-constructed, 100% electric, multi-variant powertrain. What does this mean for range and bike weight, though? Well, by making the power source a structural component of all our HyperSport models, we\u2019re able to keep the total range high while keeping the pounds off. As a result, the HyperSport HS has a total range of 200 mph and is estimated at a mere 440 lbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n As you can see, the range of electric vehicles is – and will – continue to improve. This coupled with the continued growth of EV charging stations will crush range anxiety for good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no doubt that EV charging infrastructure needs improvement. Even California – which is considered a mini mecca for electric vehicles – has issues. A recent study from the University of California, Davis, found that around 1 in 5 EV owners switch back to gas vehicles<\/a>, with the main reason being \u201cdissatisfaction with the convenience of charging.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the wind is changing. The US Senate has recently agreed to a bipartisan infrastructure deal, which includes $7.5 billion in funds for electric vehicle charging infrastructure<\/a>. The US\u2019s investment in charging infrastructure is mirrored throughout the world, as countries prepare for the EV invasion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides increased infrastructure, there are also some exciting technological innovations we can expect to see from EV charging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An example of this is wireless charging through an electric recharging lane. These are already being developed for Formula E series races but, eventually, the goal would be to charge vehicles while they drive up to 70 mph. This means rarely having to stop at a charging station again. Here\u2019s what it might look like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n That being said, in the near future, it\u2019s likely that most vehicle charging will remain within the home. As the adoption of electric vehicles grows, we will likely see homes being built with Level 2 or higher capability charging as well as V2H (vehicle-to-home) charging – where EVs can generate backup power for their owner\u2019s home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While universally-installed home charging units are some way off, there are already some exciting advances in vehicle charging tech. A big one is the charging speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are no two ways about it, Level 1 chargers take time. It takes 8-15 hours to fully charge an electric motorcycle with a Level 1 charger. However, by using CCS fast charging<\/a> – as our bikes do – you can gain back up to 132 miles of range in just 30 minutes. This is lightning<\/em> quick. And, in the future, this will only get faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a look at the charging times of our Damon HyperSport and HyperFighter models below:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The idea of vehicle autonomy has been thrown around for a while. With cars, level 3-4 autonomy feels like the natural next step and something we\u2019ll be seeing on our roads sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the past five years, the capabilities of AI and big data have seen cars’ advanced warning systems drastically improve. We\u2019re seeing a growing number of cars being manufactured with automation levels of 3 and above. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) classifies level 3 or 4 autonomy of vehicles that are able to make decisions on their own. Here\u2019s a chart for reference:<\/p>\n\n\n\n How long until we see driverless automotive technology on the road? That\u2019s difficult to answer. A lot of it depends on laws and regulations. That being said, it\u2019s a fair bet that we\u2019ll be able to hail an autonomous car taxi by the end of the decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A self-riding motorcycle is a lot further off. Who wants that, anyway? We\u2019ll stick to riding, thanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Instead of using the power of AI and machine learning to create self-driving motorcycles, motorcycle brands can use it to improve rider safety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s much more difficult for AI and machine learning to predict a rider\u2019s environment than it is for someone driving a car. Here are some examples of how motorcycles differ:<\/p>\n\n\n\n And, while it\u2019s difficult, the next innovation in motorcycles is a similar warning system to cars. Here at Damon, we\u2019ve already created this with our 360\u00ba Advancing Warning System for Motorcycles (AWSM\u2122). This system provides warnings and momentary assistance through these features:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The more people ride Damon motorcycles, the more the algorithm learns their riding habits, surroundings, and – most importantly – potential risks on the road. This is just one example of how AI and big data are going to improve safety technology in automobiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n The IoT (internet of things) revolution shows no sign of slowing down. Moreover, with 5G making device-to-device communication faster than ever before, our cities are becoming smarter every day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Autonomous vehicles are beginning to make up a large part of that 27 billion. They\u2019re able to communicate with other vehicles around them, as well as other components that make up a smart city, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, besides infrastructure and vehicles being able to communicate with one another, humans are also becoming able to do so with increasing ease. This is commonly referred to as the human-machine interface (HMI). In layman’s terms, HMI is an interface that allows humans to interact with the machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When applied to vehicles, HMIs allow drivers and passengers to interact with their vehicles in a far more natural way, here are a few examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This gives us greater knowledge of everything going on around us and inside our vehicles. What\u2019s more, it lets us customize our cars or motorcycles in a way that previously seemed unimaginable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Technological innovations like these have a ceiling with ICE vehicles. However, with a fully-electric vehicle, the sky’s the limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out the technological advancements we\u2019ve been able to implement into an electric motorcycle by reading <\/em><\/strong>the Damon Dictionary<\/em><\/strong><\/a>. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n It\u2019s all very well to have smart transportation. However, the progress is moot if we can\u2019t get around easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The western world is congested. And, to stop the gridlock, we\u2019re going to have to move towards a smaller, lighter type of vehicle. This is where Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs) come in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The growth of light electric vehicles over the past five years is already evident on the sidewalk. If you live in any metropolitan area, you\u2019ve probably seen a fair share of e-scooters and e-bikes zipping around. This kind of transportation is sometimes referred to as micromobility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vehicles usually used for micromobility are also known as light electric vehicles (LEVs), and include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"damon](\"https:\/\/damon.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Damon-Hyperdrive-Battery-Cells.jpg\")
But, What About Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"damon](\"https:\/\/damon.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Damon-Hypersport-Charging-In-Garage.jpg\")
2. Electric Vehicle Charging Technology Ramping Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"electric](\"https:\/\/damon.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Electric-Vehicle-Highway-Charging-Lanes.jpg\")
![\"HyperSport](\"https:\/\/damon.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Damon-Motorcycles-Charging-Times-Comparison-1024x667.jpg\")
3. Increased Capabilities of AI & Big Data Creating Autonomous Vehicles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"different](\"https:\/\/damon.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Levels-Of-Vehicle-Autonomy-SAE.jpg\")
If Not Riderless Motorcycles, How Does AI & Big Data Improve the Future of Motorcycling?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Damon](\"https:\/\/damon.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Damon-CoPilot-Dashboard-Example.gif\")
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n4. Human Machine Interface Expands As Smart Cities Become a Reality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5. The Move Towards Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs) to Cope with City Congestion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n