From hyperloop to robotaxis: What transportation could look like by 2050

Graphics: TBS

Whether you admit it or not, the technology portrayed in science-fiction books or movies are well ahead of our time. 

From flying taxis to hyperloop systems, autonomous vehicles to magnetic trains, we have seen this kind of transportation system in various movies, including 'Minority Report', 'Total Recall', and 'Avatar', offering a glimpse into futuristic public transportation ideas like elevated highways, gravity elevators and lunar commercial flights.

While it is difficult to predict what kind of improvisation we will achieve in how many years or if the future of transportation will look exactly like how it is portrayed in sci-fi creations, there is no denying that the transportation sector, driven by technological advancements and innovations, is poised to go through seismic changes in the next two decades, spearheading a new era marked by interconnected, automated and sustainable transportation systems, with each modality of land, sea, air, and space contributing significantly to spur in considerable growth in this sector.

By 2050, the way we move is set to undergo a transformation more profound than any in the last century. 

According to a report by CNN, transportation currently accounts for nearly 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making sustainable mobility an urgent priority. It is this shift towards sustainability that will redefine how we commute, travel and connect with cities and each other. 

Autonomous vehicles  

Autonomous vehicles are expected to make their way into structured commercial use, such as airport shuttles, delivery pods or corporate transport. 

During an interview with CNN, Alisyn Malek, an urban mobility expert and the managing director of Newlab Detroit (a global mobility innovation hub), said, "As we look towards 2050, I think where we are really going to see this technology take off is in the commercial space, where you have shorter trips. 

"When we think about being able to drive in every city, every dirt road, every country highway, that is a lot to try to validate for. And so when we think about where these options can scale first, it is going to be in these simpler areas. In some cities, it might look like transportation from an airport to downtown, so your next taxi ride could be autonomous," Malek added.

Robotaxis and passenger drones 

Fast forward to 2050, we will see more complex deployments such as robotaxis and eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) passenger drones. 

While the technology is already maturing, innovators need more time to streamline its operations and work on better compatible models. 

To be specific, these vehicles will first serve cargo routes on an experimental basis, as the scientists predict; and then will be rolled out for public transportation networks.

Hyperloop 

Another game-changing concept is the hyperloop, a futuristic, ultra-high-speed system where pods travel through near-vacuum tubes. 

While the idea has long captured public imagination, its infrastructure and cost remain major obstacles. 

However, progress is being achieved every day, with the European Hyperloop Centre in the Netherlands boasting of a 420-metre test track already existing as a glowing example.

"The idea is that you are cutting down on things like drag and friction to move efficiently. When you think about bringing hyperloop into reality, you have to start thinking about how to build out that infrastructure, how to make it accessible, how to match it with a business case and how to make sure that it is resilient to changes," Malek told CNN.

There is speculation that this kind of hyperloop network will be able to link cities like Amsterdam and Barcelona in just a couple of hours by 2050. 

Reimagined rail communication 

Owing to people's interest in sustainable mode of transport, rail communication will experience a resurgence in future. 

As cities and countries look to cut emissions and reduce short-haul flights, modern rail systems, cleaner, faster, and digitally optimised, are poised to become the backbone of long-distance travel. New-generation trains will be available, which will move from one place to another at supersonic speed.

Besides, the World Economic Forum predicts that transformation in the transport sector will expedite the formation of smart cities, painting a vivid picture of how smart cities will function riding on the power of future mode of transportation.

Cities like San Francisco, Singapore and Helsinki are already experimenting with bold new transport models. 

Singapore, for instance, is blending generative AI into its public transit along with real-time sign language translation and intelligent navigation assistance. 

Helsinki is leading the charge on green energy with its hydrogen plant powered by wind and solar, directly feeding into transport networks. 

Meanwhile, San Francisco is taking a sandbox approach to regulation, giving emerging mobility companies space to test technologies like robotaxis and air taxis in live urban settings.

The journey into a better future, defined by better mobility, has already begun. The next 25 years will determine where we are heading towards, no wonder if you see an Icarus-inspired vehicle in 2050 because that is also a possibility.