What have been the greatest innovations in transport in the past 90 years? Nissan in the UK did a quick poll of some 2 000 adults to find out as part of its 90th birthday celebrations.
The opening of the Channel Tunnel, Concorde’s first flight and the invention of satnav came out on top, while the electrification of the London Underground, the first modern hovercraft and the first zebra crossing also ranked in the top 30.
The first mass-market electric vehicle secured its place among some of the world’s greatest transport innovations – with Nissan, since the company was founded, on December 26, 1933, having established a history of pioneering electric vehicles, performance cars and crossovers.
Nissan Tama
From the 1947 Tama electric vehicle, via the LEAF – the world’s first mass-market EV in 2010 – to recently revealed future EV concepts such as the Hyper Punk and Hyper Urban, the company strives for pioneering technology that helps to create a cleaner, safer and more inclusive world.
Looking to the future, the study showed 69% think new technologies will play a big part in reducing the environmental impact of transportation in this country.
Artificial Intelligence
The survey also revealed 27%t are in favour of introducing artificial intelligence into the car industry, while 29% hold the same views for public transport.
With artificial intelligence (AI) becoming increasingly commonplace in day-to-day life, Nissan has utilised the technology to bring its 90-year heritage to life by imagining transport scenes that compare the Tama, its first ever electric car in 1947, to the modern-day Ariya EV.
Andrew Humberstone, managing director of Nissan GB, says: “During the last 90 years, we have always dared to do things differently at Nissan and have delivered some truly ground-breaking innovations along the way.”
Nissan Leaf
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The Nissan LEAF featured at number 19 on the list, while EVs specifically were voted as the innovation that holds the most promise for the future of UK sustainability. A third of those polled also believe the motor industry has undergone the most exciting changes over the past nine decades – compared to aviation, rail, and cycling.
More sustainable road travel (38%), scientific advancement (16%), and employment opportunities (11%) were also seen as the biggest opportunities within the EV industry.
Seventy percent of those surveyed believe transport innovations have had a positive impact on their own lives, and 54% claim it has made travelling easier for them.
Staying Connected
Almost three quarters (71%) agree it has improved their ability to travel and commute up and down the country, and staying connected with family and friends has become easier for 30%.
What is more, 41% of those polled have been able to save time on their journeys, and 43% are able to travel to longer distance locations thanks to the various innovations.
Electric concepts from Nissan
TRANSPORT INNOVATIONS OF THE LAST 90 YEARS
- 1976 – Concorde makes first passenger-carrying supersonic flight
- 1957 – First flight of a commercial jet airliner
- 1994 – The opening of the channel tunnel
- 1958 – First commercial jet airliner
- 1981 – Maiden flight of the space shuttle
- 1960 – Launch of the first Sat Nav
- 1951 – Creation of power steering
- 1988 – First crash bag
- 1934 – Introduction of the Driving Test
- 1955 – Creation of the Hovercraft
- 1959 – The first three-point seat belt
- 2022 – First zero-emissions electric flight takes place
- 1939 – First practical helicopter built
- 1949 – First zebra crossing
- 1971 – The Lunar Roving vehicle is used on the moon
- 1964 – Launch of the Bullet Train
- 1939 – Creation of automatic transmission
- 1967 – Automatic Train Operation: London Underground
- 2010 – Launch of the world’s first mass-produced electric car
- 1984 – Driverless Cars
- 1953 – First air-conditioning in a car
- 2022 – First railway line run by hydrogen-powered trains
- 1971 – Anti-lock braking technology first used on a car
- 1940 – First electric bus delivered
- 2003 – First automatic parking
- 2016 – First hydrogen-powered flight
- 1984 – First car with a CD player
- 2001 – First hands-free Bluetooth kit
- 2018 – First driverless trams tested
- 1958 – Creation of cruise control
Colin Windell
proudly CHANGECARS
