Discussion in the Future Talk 06: "Mobility provokes strong emotional responses"
In the rapidly evolving world of automotive technology, influential figures such as Frank M. Rinderknecht and Prof. Dr. Tobias Schmidt are championing the shift towards electric mobility.
At the Globalance event in the Polestar Space in Zurich, Schmidt demonstrated the inevitability of electric mobility with impressive figures, highlighting its significance as a main turning point of the last few decades in the industry. Rinderknecht, on the other hand, acknowledges the challenges posed by the lack of charging infrastructure in some parts of the world, emphasising the need for more imagination for electric travel.
Both Rinderknecht and Carla Welti, another prominent voice in the industry, agree that mobility is an emotional topic, encompassing joy, freedom, and status. However, they believe a certain deceleration is required for future mobility progress. This deceleration, according to Rinderknecht, is necessary to avoid projecting current needs onto the future, a mistake he believes he has seen in his own experience.
Rinderknecht, who has driven 12,500 kilometers on an electric bus and plans to travel to Japan next, also distinguishes between different forms of driving, such as mobility for leisure and service mobility. He foresees significant developments in motorsports, including the use of artificial intelligence and data analysis.
Welti, who entered the automotive world in 2019, has witnessed a clear shift towards electric mobility. She believes autonomous driving could be ideal for commuters but doesn't believe it will replace all road mobility. She also stresses that the bond with cars is not created by packaging but by content.
In a nod to the rich history of motorsports, Polestar unveiled the Arctic Circle Collection at the FAT International Ice Race this month, a tribute to Polestar's racing DNA. Meanwhile, the company set up its base camp in the Austrian Alps for the event.
Influencers have expressed a desire for more cars with character and history in the future. Sharing experiences with cars on social media is more engaging than just presenting them, according to Welti. However, she also cautions that the more software is on board cars, the faster they risk becoming obsolete.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve, these voices provide valuable insights into the future of mobility, emphasising the importance of electric mobility, the need for emotional connection with cars, and the challenges and opportunities presented by technology.
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