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
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