December 14, 2023
Ho ho ho! AI predicts futuristic sleighs for Santa, 10, 25 and 50 years from now
At DiscoverCars.com, we enjoyed producing our recent Cars of the Future piece so much that we thought we would try putting a festive spin on it.
In that article, we created images of cars as they could appear in 2033, 2048 and 2073 using the AI image generator Midjourney. The prompts that we used were based on expert research shared with us about how technology in the years to come could impact automotive design. Adding some Christmas keywords to those prompts has given us some very futuristic pictures of Santa's sleigh.
The first thing we noticed was that the AI hasn't shown a single reindeer in these images. Perhaps modern technology means that in the years to come they will get a night off on Christmas Eve.
In that article, we created images of cars as they could appear in 2033, 2048 and 2073 using the AI image generator Midjourney. The prompts that we used were based on expert research shared with us about how technology in the years to come could impact automotive design. Adding some Christmas keywords to those prompts has given us some very futuristic pictures of Santa's sleigh.
The first thing we noticed was that the AI hasn't shown a single reindeer in these images. Perhaps modern technology means that in the years to come they will get a night off on Christmas Eve.
2033
First we see Santa's sleigh in the year 2033. A lightweight carbon fiber frame helps the sleigh soar effortlessly through the sky. The sleigh has a streamlined look. OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) strips and panels under the seat and on the headlamps emit a soft, golden light. We hope Santa can turn the brightness up when he needs to!
We also used our expert's predictions regarding advanced sensor technology to create this image showing how Santa might use his sleigh's laser signals in 2033 to detect the distance to the next town, or help him not run into birds!
2048
In 2048, augmented reality displays could help drivers navigate, as well as show information that helps them make sure their driving is energy efficient. Here's how this technology would look on the dashboard of Santa's sleigh! As you can see, lots of data is being displayed for him to check at a glance, without having to take his eyes off the sky. What do you think the Christmas tree in the middle represents? Is it a Christmasometer that gradually fills up with light the more homes he delivers presents to - or is he checking on the health of his favorite Christmas tree back at the North Pole?
In 25 years, vehicles could become very sleek and aerodynamic due to advances in materials. We could also see AR displays on the outside of the vehicle which ordinary drivers might use to help them find their car in the parking lot. Perhaps Santa would use this feature to help him keep track of where he's been to so far.
2073
Our Cars of the Future article predicted that we might see cars with VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) capabilities by 2073. Santa's sleigh flies all by itself anyway but supposing he did want to try out this new technology, here's what his sleigh could look like.
It was also predicted that cars might become bigger on the inside, as they become comfortable spaces where passengers could relax and spend time while the car navigates itself. If Santa's sleigh was self-driving like this, maybe he would take Mrs Claus along for the ride and they could sit in these luxurious seats and watch the stars fly past the window.
As well as being very festive and jolly, the pine trees purify the air inside the vehicle - if enough oxygen was produced, maybe the sleigh could emit some as it flies, helping to clean the air outside too.
As well as being very festive and jolly, the pine trees purify the air inside the vehicle - if enough oxygen was produced, maybe the sleigh could emit some as it flies, helping to clean the air outside too.
Conclusion
While some of this technology sounds as magical as Santa's sleigh to us today in 2023, some of the advances our expert predicted might be closer off than you'd think! Cars that use magnetic levitation to hover 35mm off the ground were road-tested in China this year, and some manufacturers are already testing paint coatings that would enable a car to repel dirt.
We hope you all drive safely this Christmas and remember to leave out a carrot for the reindeer, they haven't been retired yet!
We hope you all drive safely this Christmas and remember to leave out a carrot for the reindeer, they haven't been retired yet!
Methodology
We spoke to Electromechanical System Design and Development Expert, Muhammad Qasim Sajid, and analyzed several factors regarding what the future of cars may look like. From functionality to materials and external aesthetics. The factors considered were:
These prompts were then adapted to create the images used in this article by changing the word 'car' to 'Santa's sleigh', 'road' to 'sky', 'plants' to 'Christmas trees' and other seasonal alterations.
- What may cars look like internally in 10 / 25 / 50 years
- What may cars look like externally in 10 / 25 / 50 years
- What functionalities may be developed in 10 / 25 / 50 years
- What reasons may there be for these developments and what benefits
- Are there any 'fantasy' elements that could come into play?
These prompts were then adapted to create the images used in this article by changing the word 'car' to 'Santa's sleigh', 'road' to 'sky', 'plants' to 'Christmas trees' and other seasonal alterations.
Top Related Locations
Here are some places where you could test drive the cars of the future when they arrive while searching the sky for Santa.
- Vienna, Austria (Vienna Airport): Cruising in a sleek, self-driving car through Vienna's historic streets feels like time-traveling to the future.
- Brisbane, Australia (Brisbane Airport): Navigating Brisbane's modern highways in an electric car seems like a glimpse into tomorrow's transport.
- Dublin, Ireland (Dublin Airport): Whizzing past Dublin's blend of ancient and modern in an AI-assisted vehicle is like a glimpse into a sci-fi film.
- Barcelona, Spain (Barcelona Airport): Exploring Barcelona's vibrant streets in an autonomous car feels like living in a tech-driven dream.
- Munich, Germany (Munich Airport): Gliding through Munich's cityscape in an autonomous vehicle is a futuristic blend of innovation and tradition.
- Los Angeles, California (Los Angeles Airport): Maneuvering a high-tech car through LA's bustling streets gives a taste of tomorrow's urban mobility.
- Geneva, Switzerland (Geneva Airport): Driving an electric car around Geneva's scenic routes paints a picture of sustainable future transport.
- Miami, Florida (Miami Airport): Cruising along Miami's coastline in a futuristic car creates an exhilarating blend of technology and luxury.
- Cancun, Mexico (Cancun Airport): Exploring Cancun's paradisiacal spots in a self-driving car is like a preview of a futuristic vacation.
- Milan, Italy (Milan Airport Malpensa): Navigating Milan's chic streets in an AI-assisted car feels like a futuristic blend of fashion and innovation.
- Toronto, Canada (Toronto Airport): Driving through Toronto's diverse neighborhoods in an electric vehicle is a futuristic urban experience.
- Auckland, New Zealand (Auckland Airport): Exploring Auckland's stunning landscapes in an autonomous car is like a journey through a future utopia.
- Edinburgh, UK (Edinburgh Airport): Touring Edinburgh's historic sites in a self-driving car combines tradition with futuristic transport.
- Cape Town, South Africa (Cape Town Airport): Roaming Cape Town's scenic routes in an electric car is a glimpse into a sustainable future.
- Dallas, Texas (Dallas Fort Worth Airport): Cruising through Dallas in an autonomous car merges modern technology with Texan hospitality.
- Prague, Czech Republic (Prague Airport): Driving through Prague's charming streets in an AI-assisted vehicle feels like a journey into the future's past.
- Santorini, Greece (Santorini Airport): Navigating Santorini's winding roads in an electric car provides a futuristic view of island exploration.
- Sydney, Australia (Sydney Airport): Gliding over Sydney's iconic landmarks in a self-driving car feels like a futuristic tour of history.
- Bangkok, Thailand (Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport): Exploring Bangkok's bustling streets in an autonomous vehicle is a taste of urban future mobility.
- Paris, France (Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport): Driving through Parisian avenues in an electric car combines elegance with futuristic transport.
Aleksandrs Buraks
Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com
Aleksandrs has over 10 years of experience in marketing with a focus on creating stellar content that provides topical insights using data. Having taken five road trips across Europe and one in the U.S., he is passionate about traveling by car. His favorite countries to visit are Denmark and Thailand. You can find him on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.
