| We no longer have to imagine a world where cars | | | | plan doesn't mean no cars whatsoever, just no |
| drive themselves. In Masdar Town, Abu Dhabi, robotic | | | | gas-burning automobiles. We first wrote about Masdar |
| shuttles are already a reality. Madsar's net zero power | | | | back in 2007 and it's a "zero carbon, zero waste, |
| community is on the front line of innovative technology | | | | car-free city" dream that has not died quite yet. The |
| with a special focus on the environment. | | | | latest technologies that might be employed there's an |
| Constructed by Dutch manufacturer 2getthere, the | | | | all-electric, driver-free pod car constructed by a Dutch |
| autonomous electric automobiles are guided point to | | | | company called To get There. |
| point utilizing overhead RFID and magnet sensors to | | | | City planners have ordered a dozen pod vehicles. Eight |
| shuttle through the net zero power. Masdar can | | | | standard units, two VIP models and two which will |
| expect their new robotic shuttles to go 25 miles per | | | | move freight rather than individuals. The EVs can go |
| hour. | | | | up to 25 miles per hour and go around 37 miles on a |
| But perhaps the most innovative technology to debut | | | | charge. RFID chips and sensors maintain the vehicles |
| in Masdar City is the planned network of self-driving | | | | about the road and stop them from hitting individuals. |
| electric vehicles. Because what's the point in | | | | To maintain everything as carbon neutral as feasible, |
| concentrating about the road if your car can do it for | | | | the cars' batteries are charged from other batteries, |
| you? | | | | which spend all day within the Abu Dhabi sun charging |
| It appears that the "car-free" part of Masdar City's | | | | up. |