B In many parts of the world,cars play an important role in daily life and many societies would not exist without them.So the idea that in 20 years’ time, no one will own cars may be hard to believe.But this is the prediction made by a team of transport researchers who are taken seriously, not only by government but also by ear manufacturers. The Human Science and Advanced Technology Institute at Loughborough in the UK is part of an international research program.The team there believes that by 2020 all cars will be computerized,which will mean much saving,no accidents and better use of roads,The super-intelligent car of the 21st century will drive itself, and it will not be owned by one individual.Instead,we will have a choice of cars and change them as frequently as we change our clothing. According to Dr.David Davis,who leads the research team,these predictions are based on the rising cost of the car culture,which had blocked up our cities,polluted our air, and caused more deaths than both world wars put together. Davis says,cars will be fitted with some intelligent devices to regulate the distance between one car and another.The car will automatically speed up,or slow down,to match the speed of the car in front.Computers are much safer drivers than people,so cars in a road train will be able to drive much closer together than cars driven by people. |