Children still see a future full of flying cars, teleportation and robots –just as their parents do.
A poll of 1,000 children aged 6-10 in the United Kingdom found 72 percent named self-charging electric cars as an invention they’d like to see, while 51 percent would like flying cars. And nearly one in five, or 17 percent, want to go to space via public transport.
Others hope to witness teleportation, a flying school bus, and robots. Children also clearly want to go about their travels unnoticed, as an invisibility machine also made the wish list.
The study, commissioned by Korean manufacturer Hyundai, also found that 65 percent of children think technology can make the world a better place, for 59 percent think it will make and build things, while 56 percent believe it will improve learning. And 29 percent believe technology is useful for transportation.
Of the 2,000 adults who were also polled, 51 percent believe technological developments are essential for driving progress in society, with science, healthcare, business and education areas they believe technology holds the key to success.
It also emerged that 62 percent of Brits recognized the part technology has played in their personal mobility, although transport was a key area for tech developments, with 23 percent saying it would benefit from technological advances. There is a clear appetite for mobility to be more sustainable, as 38 percent felt tech could be deployed to improve transport and mobility’s environmental credentials.
Echoing their younger counterparts, robots, flying and autonomous cars are among the technology adults were most excited about, while renewables and Artificial Intelligence–AI–were also high on the agenda. The study exploring attitudes toward future technology was commissioned by Hyundai, as the brand looks to understand how adults and children perceive mobility solutions such as electric cars and flying taxis.
As brands prepare new innovations like autonomous flying cabs, a third of adults imagined such inventions wouldn’t be available for at least another 20 years. And three-quarters didn’t know some modern electric cars can be used as charging points, to charge other electric vehicles around them, and other essential personal tech.
It also emerged nearly four in 10 adults have come to terms with the idea of interacting with robots in their daily life, and 31 percent feel excited at the prospect. And 47 percent believe them to be useful, especially in the fields of scientific research, healthcare and transportation, due to the ability to learn and endure climate extremes and harsh terrain.
For social progress, adults rate robots higher than children, with 32 percent willing to befriend one, compared to just 24 percent of children. Perhaps not surprisingly for children under 12, the key robot capabilities were the ability to do chores (55 percent) and homework (47 percent).
Ashley Andrew, managing director at Hyundai Motor U.K., said: “Many of us are intrigued by the potential capacities of robotics, and how this will determine the future of technology. It’s clear from our research that society is eager to embrace technology on a range of levels such as helping efforts to clean up the environment and offer clean mobility solutions, ultimately driving progress in the way we travel.”
Following the findings in the OnePoll studies, people were asked how they feel about welcoming technology into their lives. While expressing their thoughts in a video, participants got to experience the opportunity robotics presents for the future, with Spot the robotic dog from Boston Dynamics making a surprise appearance.
Produced in association with SWNS.
