Transport and space projects gain momentum
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, an innovation support company with projects supported by Horizon 2020, is working alongside Rolls-Royce on its Advanced Autonomous Waterborne Applications Initiative (AAWAI).
Efficient ship designs are why autonomous vehicle technology is coming to the marine sector. A land-based control centre with a small crew, AAWAI monitors and controls a fleet of autonomous vessels in seas and oceans across the world.
VTT senior scientist Mikael Wahlstrom said: “You have flying drones already, you have the satellites and you have object recognition. You don’t need technological breakthroughs anymore.”
The success of autonomous and electric vehicles is partly attributable to battery technology. But, like autonomous vessels, current battery technology maintains significant room for improvement.
Cosmin Laslau, energy storage senior analyst at Lux Research, says: “We can further cut costs and improve performance by another 20 to 40% at least before the technology is done for. Until the early to mid-2020s, lithium ion is still the one to beat.
“In our view there are only two that really have a chance at deposing lithium ion in the next decade or so. The first are solid state batteries and the second are lithium sulphur batteries.”
Privately-funded space technologies are also being developed that will encourage access to low-cost, sub-orbital space travel for individuals.
Virgin Galactic boss Sir Richard Branson says: “The future will see many sustainable space businesses that improve livelihoods, bolster communities and grow economies. We created Virgin Galactic to open access to space.
“By lowering the cost of flexible, reliable and dedicated flights to orbit for small satellites, we are creating an opening for satellites from emerging designers that feature their fresh take on engineering possibilities.
“Like other technologies, with practice we will be able to make our forays to space cheaper and more frequent while increasing performance.”
