Chances are you’ve heard that the world is changing at an ever-increasing rate – and as cliché as that sounds, it’s true. Part of this is a reflection of the development of technology and innovation that is responsible for changing the way we relate to other people and also to consumer goods.

In this post we will talk specifically about the impacts that can already be perceived in relation to cars and the trends for the coming years. If you want to understand a little more about the subject and know what’s coming, then be sure to check this very complete post until the end!

The history of cars in the world

The creation of the first car was highly revolutionary. If you don’t believe it, just imagine a scenario where people were used to walking, horseback riding, by carriage, by train or by much simpler means of transportation.

The arrival of a model that moved with another kind of “strength” caught everyone’s attention – which is quite natural. The first ideas about a car began to come to life in the 18th century, when in 1769 the Frenchman Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot created a steam-powered carriage.

This was the first version, but it served as a great idea of what cars would look like years later. In 1800 the process expanded and some steam buses began to circulate in Europe.

Their operation was not so simple, since they were driven from burning coal. This made them very heavy and noisy – it may seem small, but it caused them to be rejected in some places.

As you can see, progress existed, but it was still a little distant from what we are used to today. The invention of the engine and the discovery that oil could be a good fuel happened in 1850, approximately, and accelerated the processes.

Even in the 19th century, gasoline-powered fuel factories began to appear, and the main names ahead of them were the German engineers Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler (who at that time still had competing businesses). They joined forces years later and created the Mercedes-Benz brand, famous to this day.

After that, the car models became even better known and closer to the public. As much as it wasn’t easy to acquire a model, most people already understood a little better about it.

Reality began to change at the beginning of the 20th century, when Henry Ford began to revolutionize production in the United States.

He created the brand that carries his surname to this day and invested in a standardized mass production model – a measure that increased production and made the car popular. All this movement made the 20th century known as the “century of the automobile”.

Reality in Brazil

Brazil did not play a key role in all this development, it is estimated that in 1893 the first steam car circulated through the streets of São Paulo.

A few years later, in 1897, the automobile was already attracting attention on the streets of Rio de Janeiro. Already in 1900, we received the first exploding engine car: a Decauville that rode in Petrópolis.

The impact of cars on society

Among the various influences that the automobile can bring, we start with a somewhat significant ease for mobility. People started to move with more comfort and speed through the cars. If today this is a gain, at the time of the car’s creation it was something revolutionary.

This measure was responsible for shortening distances, making people get to know many other places besides those they were used to, and also carrying other things with them. After all, the car manages to offer space for other passengers and for various objects, such as furniture and bags.

The Big Data differential

Big Data can serve as a great basis for ideas about transformation, since it offers access to a large amount of data generated by the vehicles (which are increasingly connected) and by the users themselves.

However, all this wealth generated can be lost if it is not properly used. Precisely because of this, professionals with knowledge in data analysis and science are gaining more and more space – mainly thanks to the digital car trend.

The connection allows understanding:

• How drivers move;
• Lifestyle;
• More common routes and several other details.

A close example of the reality of many people today is Waze, an application with real-time updates on traffic flow and other displacement issues (such as radar signaling and lane holes).

Another common option is Moovit, which helps a lot those who need to move by public transportation. There it is possible to have information about the transportation used and the traffic of the route. This is another example of the use of data for a more comfortable mobility!

The important thing is to understand that everyone’s commitment can be allied to technology and innovation. This is a great way to guarantee better results when it comes to urban mobility and traffic issues.

Trends for the coming years

As you can see, changes are something present in the automotive industry, and if you are the kind of person who likes to be tuned in, then be sure to read the following topics.

Car sharing

The most famous option in Brazil is Moobie, which operates in São Paulo and allows people to rent a car from an ordinary citizen or, if they have a car stopped, to rent it to other people too.

All this is done 100% online through an application and has very competitive prices – considerably lower than traditional car rental companies.

Standalone models

Riding in a car that doesn’t have a driver may seem a very futuristic action, but this reality is very close to each one of us. Besides all the enchantment of riding in such a vehicle, it’s good to know that the good news doesn’t end there.

This will also be a great way to make the most of the travel time. Think about it with us: do you know the hours you lose when driving from one place to another? All of them can be used to catch up on reading and studying or to have fun with games.

Autonomous cars emerged some time ago as a Tesla bet, but great powers like Google are already keeping an eye on this new market.

Even so, tests have revealed that these cars will promote even safer travel for passengers. That’s right: most traffic accidents are caused by some lack of attention from the driver, so relying on autonomous cars is a great way to solve this.

All of this comes to improve the shopping experience, whether through personalized marketing or close customer relationship management.

After reading this text about the impacts generated over the years by automobiles, you will realize how all these novelties can be transformative for urban mobility and for your quality of life.