Self-driving cars represent the next generation of personal vehicles. Self-driving cars with artificial intelligence are starting to be used in 2017 and will gain more use in 2018.

By 2021, all the new personal vehicles being sold will have autonomous capability, which has the potential to increase performance and safety dramatically. 

According to a recent research report by BIS Research, titled Global Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market - Analysis and Forecast (2016-2023), the global unmanned ground vehicle market is expected to reach $9.06 billion by 2023. The major factors contributing to the growth of the market are reduced human intervention, increased efficiency and the flexibility offered by unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs).

The International Data Corporation (IDC) FutureScape series provides clear predictions and expert insights to help technology suppliers, investors, IT professionals, and business executives strategize for the future.

Eight of these studies are highlighted below which cover a variety of areas undergoing transformative change including oil and gas, robotics, 3D printing, retail, connected vehicles, and more. Read on to learn about IDC’s 2017 predictions, and click to the report pages to access more detailed information.

The US airline industry features three types of carriers in terms of operating model: traditional carriers, low-cost carriers (LCCs), and ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs). ULCCs – largely represented by Spirit Airlines (Spirit), Frontier Airlines, and Allegiant Travel Company (Allegiant) – experienced impressive revenue growth over the 2010-2015 period.

Technological innovation is transforming all aspects of the motorcycle production process, even the product testing phase. The development of new, state-of-the-art testing technologies allows companies to design and produce cutting-edge motorcycles that offer increased safety and superior performance.

The future of motorcycles is being forged today. Leading manufacturers are developing new technologies with the potential to revolutionize the riding experience. 

This wave of innovation, however, has garnered sparse news coverage. The media has focused on developments in the automotive industry such as self-driving cars and electric vehicles, paying little attention to similar trends in motorcycles. 

When it comes to transportation in the US, most people drive themselves. The US Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates for 2014 indicate that about a quarter of American workers get to work primarily by driving themselves. In 2014, there were 214 million licensed drivers in the US, and light vehicles traveled 2.7 trillion miles.

However, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, between 2000 and 2015 consumer spending on public transportation services outgrew spending on new motor vehicles, with the former increasing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.2 percent and the latter at a CAGR of 1.8 percent. In 2015, consumer spending on public transportation exceeded $100 billion in the US for the first time ever.

While the potential of autonomous vehicles should not be underestimated, it would be a mistake to ignore other fast-growing technologies in the transportation industry.

Before self-driving cars become the norm, a host of other innovations will change how people move. Read on to learn about four global transportation markets that are poised to achieve exponential growth by 2020.

Soaring demand growth and skyrocketing prices are making 2016 a very exciting year for lithium — the highly reactive, silvery white metal that has revolutionized the rechargeable battery industry. Portable electronics, including everything from smartphones to laptops, rely on lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries. But it will be electric vehicles (EVs) that drive lithium sales going forward, boosting prices while placing increasing pressure on global supplies. 

Key players in the auto industry are facing new challenges and opportunities that could shake up the U.S. market in the months and years to come. Volkswagen’s sales showed tepid growth in the wake of the emissions-cheating scandal, while Subaru set new sales records in the month of September. Meanwhile, tech and auto companies alike are vying for position in the self-driving and electric car markets. Apple plans to release an electric car in 2019 and is tripling its 600-person team to accelerate its efforts. General Motors is competing with Google in the self-driving car arena and plans to test driverless Chevrolet Volts by late 2016. To learn more, read the auto industry recap below.