Electric cars, drones and robots - how digital is transforming Transport in 2018

Published on August 17, 2018 in Transport • Digital Transformation

An overwhelming majority of the Irish public – 92 percent – believe that technology sits at the heart of the changes currently transforming the country.

And though a sizeable proportion (41 percent) of the Irish public believe that technology is driving positive change, significant reservations concerning the impact of technology persist.

These are some of the compelling findings highlighted by a recent Fujitsu report, Technology in a Transforming Ireland.

In the survey of 521 Irish consumers and 391 business leaders, almost one in three respondents viewed Transport as the most developing sector in Ireland today. In my view, the transport sector is changing faster than ever before and its positive approach to technology adoption can bring huge advantages for Irish citizens and sector organisations if nurtured correctly.

A personalised and connected future for Transport in Ireland

The future of Transport in Ireland, I believe, will require greater personalisation and connectivity.

The Internet of things (IoT) can play a huge role in the value of our Transport systems. This technology is making it possible to learn more about passenger decision-making, and by embracing sensor technology operators can greatly improve route planning, accident prevention and safety so we can work together with passengers to develop a more efficient, effective and safer experience.

According to our research, 65% of the Irish public believe electric cars are having the most positive impact on transport in Ireland today, followed by Drones (26%) and Robotics (20%).

However there also appears to be a reticence to embrace some new technologies. According to those researched, 51% are uncomfortable with the idea of a driverless car, and only 14% of the public willing to entrust their child to one.

Digital holds the potential to deliver the Transport experience that the public demand

And yet, at the same time, it appears that change is what consumers are seeking, and achieving transformation in such a foundational sector would yield benefits spreading far and wide across our economy and society.

In order to do so, such changes would need to be enduring and sustainable in a dynamic digital landscape.

Transport is very much the shared domain of the public and private sector, and this gives it an unparalleled opportunity to nurture collaboration. Whether tapping into the tech savviness of the private sector or the resources of the public sector, there’s lots of potential for creativity.

It’s vital, however, that any technology is sufficiently open and agile to accommodate new solutions in the future.

The pace of change means that deployments shouldn’t close off potential future innovations – instead, they should seek to anticipate them and then embrace them in order to develop and maintain a sector that is fit for purpose and supports our changing landscape.

Find out more in Fujitsu’s ‘Technology in a Transforming Ireland’ research.

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