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Technopolis: Ricardo's scenarios for 2035 explained
06 Dec 2022
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Technopolis is a world characterised by disruption and accelerated economic and technological evolution, with a heavy focus on electrification. We need fast to market creative technical solutions to our challenges, to stay competitive. Disrupt or be disrupted.
Rapid changes in business models, products and services, along with multiple technological breakthroughs in digital tools, energy storage and autonomy, have driven a wholesale shift to electric propulsion for personal mobility, distributed low-carbon energy and autonomous vehicles (both on the ground and in the air). Indeed, private vehicles powered by fossil-fuelled internal combustion engines are banned in densely populated areas. However, a major autonomous vehicle terrorist attack has damaged confidence. Overall economic growth remains patchy with geopolitical splits and tension between nations, although the desire to protect the private sector and keep supply chains open has prevented major conflict. Serious climate concerns remain despite the emergence of megaprojects in reforestation, sea defences and terraforming. Consumers are highly receptive to new technologies. State support for technology deployment is low and legislation lags behind the advances being made.
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Large megaprojects: terraforming, reforestation, sea defences, energy projects
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Autonomous vehicles on the ground and in the air
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Public and private sector responses to climate adaption projects
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Major advances in technology, especially batteries, causes wholesale shift to electric propulsion
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Transcontinental low carbon transportation - next gen rail
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Fossil fuelled internal combustion engines are banned
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Major autonomous vehicle terror attack
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Multiple technological breakthroughs in digital tools, energy storage and vehicle autonomy
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Disruptive business environment and economic uncertainty
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State assistance for new technology deployment is low and legislation lags behind technological advances
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Droughts, floods and extreme weather
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Global conflict is kept in check by the importance of the private sector and supply chains
"There are significant challenges posed by this scenario. A severe autonomous vehicle terrorist attack has damaged confidence. Economic growth remains patchy overall with geopolitical splits and tension between nations, although the desire to protect the private sector and keep supply chains open has prevented major conflict. Serious climate concerns also remain, despite the emergence of megaprojects in reforestation, sea defences and terraforming. Although consumers are highly receptive to new technologies, state support for technology deployment is low and legislation lags behind the advances being made.”
Angela Johnson, VP and Head of RSC EMEA
"Technopolis all about electric, data and fast-paced technology evolution. Put simply, disrupt or be disrupted. this is a world in which insight is emancipated, and knowledge is no longer exclusive to the experienced and the learned, but every facet of the social experience is open to reimagination by those who can see a new angle in the technology that underpins it. This means rapid change in business models, products, and services. There are accelerated technological breakthroughs in digital tools, energy storage and autonomy. A breakthrough in solid state battery technology drives a stepped shift to electric propulsion. Low carbon and autonomous vehicles become a proliferating reality globally, both on the ground and in the air."
Marques McCammon, Global Managing Director for Automotive and Industrial
Angela Johnson
