The automotive industry is transitioning with speed towards a greener future, fuelled by leading manufacturers investing heavily in electrification and hybrid technologies. At the consumer level, the conversation is slightly different but just as energetic. People are excited about the concept of a more environmentally friendly solution to personal transport, one that has the potential to give us everything we need without having the earth pay the price.

Future-gazing in the automotive industry may be the stuff of fantasy to many. But, upon review of the results from the recent Molex ‘The Future of Automotive’ survey, it was clear that it can be more truthful and tangible than many appreciate, even for pragmatic industry influencers. For example, in the fast-moving automotive industry, predicters and consumers alike have long projected a world of flying and driverless cars. While the former may realistically be some way away yet, there are nonetheless several technological stepping-stones that are already in play to get us to the Car of the Future. And, they point to China as the formative player that who will bring us there first.

The automotive sector is well on the road to embracing software-defined vehicles. In fact, an ever-increasing reliance on digital smarts, in addition to mechanical parts, will advance driving experiences in leaps and bounds.