Kids predict what racing cars of the future could do - from flying to swimming

07 August 2023 , 13:11

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Kids predict what racing cars of the future could do - from flying to swimming

Young children have predicted what racing cars of the future will look like – with the top guesses including that they will be able to fly, change colour on the go, and even “swim” through water.

Other high-tech capabilities that youngsters have foretold include that racing vehicles will be able to move at the speed of light, drive a million miles per hour, and prevent crashes by jumping over other vehicles, or by creating a shield to protect themselves.

The research asked 1,000 six- to 10-year-olds to imagine what motorsports would look like by 2043 – just two decades into the future.

And the youngsters also had the opportunity to share their predictions with Nissan Formula E drivers, Norman Nato and Sacha Fenestraz – as well as asking the two drivers about their own experiences behind the wheel of electric racing cars.

The lucky youngsters were then put through their paces as they raced their own, miniature electric cars, under the watchful eye of the two top Formula E drivers.

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A group of youngsters had the chance to meet and question Formula E Nissan team drivers, Norman Nato and Sacha Fenestraz (Nissan)

Norman Nato, who was grilled during Nissan’s EV School series, said: “It’s important to teach kids about the future, and all of them will be driving electric vehicles when they grow up.

“Everything we develop in our Formula E cars is designed to make a better tomorrow. We work hard on creating technology that becomes available in electric road cars, and it’s exciting for me to be at the forefront of innovation.”

The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found three in ten youngsters think there will be video-game style sections of the track, which give cars a speed boost.

And 21% wouldn’t be surprised to see high-tech shifting racetracks, where every lap has a different layout.

Youngsters also think robots will take over the world and eventually replace humans behind the wheel – however, 69% would still love to meet a real-life racing driver.

The top questions they would ask if they ever got the chance include how old they were when they first raced a car (19%) – while 12% would ask for tips on how to become a racing driver themselves.

It also emerged 27% of the kids surveyed watch motorsports on TV, and 44% have enjoyed watching an e-Sport.

Sacha Fenestraz said: “The future of Formula E is going to be extremely exciting, and it’s great to hear what the next generation of drivers think it will look like.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next 20 to 30 years – maybe we’ll be able to race in flying cars, but I hope robot drivers don’t replace us.”

TOP 20 THINGS KIDS THINK RACE CARS WILL BE ABLE TO DO IN THE FUTURE:

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1. Fly
2. Swim through water
3. Change colour
4. Drive fast on snow and ice
5. Jump over other cars
6. Create a shield to protect the car from crashes
7. Travel at a million miles an hour
8. Have robot pit assistants
9. Transform into something else, like Transformers
10. Drive as fast in reverse as they do forwards
11. Travel at the speed of light
12. Have tyres that change themselves
13. Shoot lasers
14. Be controlled by your mind
15. Have spherical wheels (like a ball) to go in any direction
16. Turn invisible
17. Be controlled by your eyes
18. Shoot fire
19. Move other cars out of the way
20. Teleport

Sarah Lumley