Classic Car Show

The museum across the road held its annual Classic Car Day yesterday. 

It was a success with good weather, plenty of vehicles and people.

As it’s been very hot and dry, I was a bit concerned that a fire might be triggered, but it was fine.

China's car market falls

In China, the sale of cars, especially petrol cars, has fallen dramatically. Cars in China are far lower in price than in the West.

Driverless cars - NOT amateur radio

I understand that driverless cars are coming to the UK in 2027. I am not sure if this is generally or just taxis.

Once driverless cars become ubiquitous it will mean a revolution on the roads.  Initially I expect most accidents will be the result of human error with drivers of other cars on the roads making stupid mistakes!

It will take some time for people to gain confidence  (20 years?), but by then all cars will be driverless and the roads safer. It would not surprise me if we see a revolution in car ownership.  

By then, I expect I shall be dust pushing up daisies!

Classic Car Day - NOT amateur radio

Every year, the museum next door holds a classic car day. It was filled with vintage cars and motorbikes. 

Like radio amateurs, most are geeks!! A very good turn out. The weather was warm and dry.

Classic Car Day - NOT amateur radio

Today is the classic car day at our local museum next door. I have never seen so many! 

Vehicles ranged from car and scooters to army vehicles. Lots of people too. 

Inconsiderate parking - NOT amateur radio

Most times we love living next door to a restored windmill and museum. However, today is a special day with music and dance, so there are more people than normal. What I do not like is people who park without consideration for local residents, blocking driveways by parking badly. In future, if we need to go out in the car on such days, we need to park on the road and not on our driveway.

Old Renaults - NOT amateur radio

Last weekend several old Renault cars visited our local museum. They were quite a sight.

Old Cars - NOT amateur radio

Just over a week ago we attended a funeral in Nottingham and stayed in nearby Southwell.

The owners of these old cars were also staying in our hotel.

Driverless Cars - NOT amateur radio

It seems we are going to see driverless cars on our roads in the UK sooner rather than later. The UK budget is this week and rumours suggest the go-ahead will be given for more on-road tests. Already the collision avoidance software is very good, but the main issue is consumer (driver) confidence. Somehow we find it hard not to still want to drive, even though the software driven car is probably safer!

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42040856  .

Classic Car Day - NOT amateur radio

Our local museum staged a Classic Car Day today. Here is a short video of it.

Nuclear Fusion - NOT amateur radio

There is lots of research going on into nuclear fusion.

Unlike nuclear fission which is used today and results in long-term nuclear waste, nuclear fusion could use the almost endless supplies of non-polluting deuterium in seawater. It is probably decades away from being commercially possible as the technical challenges are immense. Research is starting to yield results though.

Nuclear fusion holds the potential for almost endless, low cost, energy. It could hold the keys to the future, but it is not yet possible, although the research must continue. This is one area where worldwide collaboration would benefit us all.

As for electric cars, although a "good idea" I think range is a real killer. Most journeys are short, I know, but ranges of several hundred miles on a charge are really needed and I just can't see this even with the best battery technology likely in the next few decades. Replacement batteries for electric cards are very expensive. No, this is an area where a lot more research is needed both in transport for the masses in an age beyond carbon and in battery technology. We need some "thinking outside the box" in these areas. Cars that do not need diesel or petrol are essential. We have to crack this one and come up with good solutions.