Newly emerging personal mobility modes and the post-COVID-19 city

In this chapter we will relate to Homo viator [traveling Man] as the mobile individuals of the 2020s, becoming gradually exposed to EVs and AVs. We will attempt to examine the similarities and differences between the electrification and Internetizing of terrestrial and virtual mobilities and to assess the significance of these two technologies for physically moving individuals, for a mobile society, as well as for mobility-based urban space. EVs are now in a process of rather increased adoption, whereas AVs are still mostly being tested. Internet-based communications have already become universally adopted. Electricity and the Internet differ from each other, notably as far as the car industry is concerned, by their roles, modes of production, transmission channels, and energy and information storage. For individuals, EVs and AVs differ from each other in several ways: the degree of personal operations and the required accounting and licensing; the ability to move human-made products electronically; ergonomic aspects; travel and communications as an experience; and interactions with fellow individuals. From a societal perspective, the universal use of electricity and the Internet for road transport will require strict security assurance for their production and transmission. In addition, the importance of the relevant communications and electricity professions will grow. On yet another level, the ability to work during AV riding will eliminate the buffer time between work and home. Spatially, EV-based cities will be quieter and cleaner, whereas AV-based cities will be characterized by the removal of traffic lights and road signs, coupled with the availability of more parking spaces.