I wonder just how much is happening in the world of technology that we know nothing about? The reason is say this is because I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately, mainly of technical publications, and I’m staggered by what I’ve see.

 

Self-healing car bodies. Batteries that hold masses more power than the best we have at the moment, and at the same time are less expensive and more reliable. New engines that take an old principle, modify it, and use it in a quantum leap of fuel economy.

 

It’s so exciting, and yet it serves to show us one thing: the automobile as we know it is still pretty much alive and well, and continues to show a healthy disregard for fears of its demise any time in the near future.

 

Yes, electric cars will start to take hold for those who still want to retain their means of independent (as opposed to mass) transport. But it will be a while before the new batteries are developed enough to allow quick recharging and a decent range between charges.

 

Yes, we’ll have cars that can make minor repairs to their bodywork. But there’s a lot more to a car than just its body, and just as “run-flat” tyres can’t repair a major tear, so a self-healing car can’t repair major body damage.

 

And yes, petrol engines still have a long future. They’re getting more and more complex, but so are the tools you can bring into play to fathom their complexity and repair any faults.

 

But there’s no substitute for rubber tyres on the horizon – although tyres, too, are getting smarter. We still need brakes to stop, we still need roads to drive on, we although lights are getting better and more compact, we still need them to see where we’re going at night.

 

And so far no-one has come up with a replacement for the simple windscreen wiper!

 

All of which brings me to one simple thought. 

 

Life may get harder as competition gets tougher, but it’s not time to give up your day job yet!