Imagine A Future Of Hyperloop Pods Moving People, Cars Without Drivers, And Drones With Minds Of Their Own: Welcome To Los Angeles

Not only did aviation change the way we moved, but also the way we looked at space and time.At the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation’s (LAEDC) 2016-2017 Economic Forecast event, about 500 leaders gathered to hear about the next generation of mobility, and how it will change the way that we look at space, time, and the future.Three main topics of mobility that were discussed included Hyperloop pods, autonomous vehicles, and drones.Here is a recap of the event:Hyperloop:Kicking off the event, Brogan BamBrogan, early team member in SpaceX and now Chief Technical Officer of Hyperloop, shared what Hyperloop has coming down the tube.Brogan’s forecast for the future: It is going to be rad, because we make it rad. It is up to us.A full system test of the Hyperloop is slated for the end of 2016. Full speed, full test. That means pods will be moving at over 700 mph to show that the concept is a reality. Inside of the tube, the air pressure is reduced to 1/1000 of its normal density. This allows the pods to move quickly within the tunnel. As a carbon-free, weather-proof way to move people and cargo, Elon Musk describes the Hyperloop as a cross between a Concorde, a rail-gun, and an air hockey table.Brogan explained a simple three-step process behind Hyperloop’s innovation:1. Come up with an idea.2. Use all the tools available to build.3. Execute, test, iterate.Mark your calendar for the next 5-10 years. Hyperloop is real.Public Transportation:We love our roads so much that we use them to the point of congestion, and now we’re reaching full capacity. This has an economic impact, and today’s infrastructure is unable to handle more vehicles .Joshua Schank, Chief Innovation Officer for the LA Metro Transportation Authority, spoke on the delicate balance between running a large organization and pushing for innovation. He commented on the many new light rail lines and stations Metro is opening, and believes ridership is going to be on an upswing again as these new stations open.Schank believes transportation unlocks human potential and enables shared prosperity, and LA Metro is trying to make this happen by championing new ideas to improve mobility and experimental programs and policy. He knows that new rideshare services can be part of the last mile solution and is encouraging collaboration as Metro looks for ways to create a total solution for commuters.Driverless Cars:Smarter cars are being born every day.Traditionally, automotive industry has been innovated by mechanical engineering, but recently software and robotics are taking front stage. Hong Bae of Faraday Future spoke on the expert panel about the recent focus on developing new algorithms that mimic how human brains operate.He argues that the biggest challenge for autonomous cars is the integration with humans. He emphasized that people have been driving for 100 years, making human driving a difficult habit to change.Driverless cars that display all of their information all the time, is a recipe for disaster. Self-driving cars have hundreds of sensors, and if you display them all, the driver will be overloaded and eventually tune out. The real question, he says, is how to design a system that helps deliver the right information at the right time.Hong said that there are three main things to consider :90% your car’s life is spent gathering sunlight or dust. If a car can pick you up on demand, whenever you want, he believes that people won’t need to own a car.It has to be safe. If it is not safe, there is nothing anyone can do to convince people to adopt the new technology.Autonomous cars provides mobility to anyone – it gives people an option. Some people will never adopt a car that drives for them, but at least it becomes an option.Drones:Wilhelm Cashen from UAV Systems Associations spoke on the fact that robotics is changing our future. Technology now has control systems that don’t involve humans, enabling humans to enjoy transportation in a new way. UAVSA sees a future with humans enjoying transportation, and things like flying cars and unmanned aircrafts could make that happen.Wilhelm said he can’t wait to jump in a flying car. He believes that it is a process and system that, at the right time, will happen.Michael Shabun of DJI reinforced that the automation is intended to reduce risk of pilot error. The drone technology of two years ago is now antiquated. We are miles ahead of our past, and he states that drones are actually more precise than most LA drivers.Looking ahead, drones will be able to autonomously navigate various environments, and even recharge on their own. The drone industry is moving toward a consumer-friendly, plug and play model, as well as a fully customizable, open-sourced model for developers.Rodney Slater, co-leader of transportation, shipping, and logistics for Squire Patton Boggs and former Secretary of Transportation under Bill Clinton, talked about Millennials and their belief that prior generations used the system that was given, without leaving anything for the new generation. He feels that the emerging systems will, again, lift the hopes and dreams of next generation.The second half of the event was an economic forecast presentation from Robert Kleinhenz, Chief Economist, Kyser Center for Economic Research, LAEDC.To sum up the 45 minute talk, just know that he came on stage with sunglasses and started by saying, “The future is bright.”To obtain a full report of the forecast, you can download it from www.laedc.orgSee you on the Hyperloop, in a driverless vehicle, or in a flying car sometime soon!#laforecast