What is the future of the car?  Greater fuel efficiency and reduced running costs, increased automation and, perhaps, even escaping from the roads into rivers and up into the skies.

The final degree show of MA Vehicle Design students at the Royal College of Arts shows innovative options for the future.

Inevitably, all cars are more streamlined and elegant, but what is inside the elegant smooth shell?

Ari Nikulin with “Skymbiosis” proposes controls for driving with autonomous cars in the future, while Kate Darley asks the question of why car interiors should remain as they are today – if a car is autonomous, why shouldn’t the interior be more of a lounge space?   Tao Ni in “BREATHE Haute Couture Concept” explores the relationship between artificial intelligence, man and machine – “reinventing the design process itself”, while Sangmin Lee with “Alpha Vein” explores the design of the future man-machine interface in the self-driving car.

Yixuan Oeng is more philosophical – how can we balance cultures such as Buddism and Tibetan landscapes with new technology to offer a calm tranquil journey experience which is sustainable, while Paul Liliste asks how cars can automatically self-cleanse water and air instead of pumping huge amount of pollutants into the congested roads of cities such as  London.

Meanwhile Cameron Smith, creates the IKEA self-build car “Boxpark”  empowering local communities to develop new skills and innovation, while creating self-build and economic vehicles.

The RCA is a leading force in the discussion on the future of design.  There is no doubt that the car of 2026 will be much different to the car of today and the graduates of today have many great ideas that will inform future development.