People, Technology and the Future of Mobility from Coursera

Welcome to the People, Technology, and the Future of Mobility course! This course provides a lay-person’s introduction to some of the major technological innovations currently underway in the mobility space and asks learners to apply a variety of social science concepts to understand the likely social impacts of these technologies. The course is appropriate for learners from all backgrounds and does not require prior training in engineering or social science.

The content presented in this course draws on a number of interviews and lectures and was created through a partnership with Siemens. The course also includes an interactive 360 video experience that allows learners to explore the key components of an autonomous vehicle, go on a ride-along in an autonomous car, and learn about new sensing technology we could see in smart cities of today and tomorrow.

This course challenges learners to envision mobility of the future that is safer, cleaner, and more equitable. We will examine recent technological advances, as well as the socio-economic and policy implications, of two major evolving mobility-related technology spaces: electrification and automation.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Course Introduction and Background

In Week 1 of the course, we'll lay out some of the basic concepts that we’ll be working with throughout the course, concepts like Mobility, Electrification & Automation

Week 2: Electrification—The Basic Technologies (Part 1)

In week 2, we'll start talking about electrification. What is the state-of-the-art technology, in terms of batteries and other features of the vehicles themselves.

Week 3: Electrification—The Basic Technologies (Part 2)

In week 3, we'll continue our discussion of electrification, shifting our focus from batteries to the electricity infrastructure that will support electric vehicles. We'll also think about stakeholders and different perspectives on electrification.

Week 4: Electrification—The Impacts

What impacts will electrification have on human lives (environment, economy, health) from a sustainability and equity perspective?

Week 5: Vehicle Automation—The Basic Technologies

What is automation and what role does it play in the automotive and transportation sectors?

Week 6: Automation—The Impacts

What impacts will automation have on human lives (environment, economy, health) from equity and safety perspectives?

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches the human implications of electrification and automation in mobility, which is a highly relevant domain

Builds a foundation for understanding societal impacts of mobility-related technologies

Taught by Elisabeth Gerber, a respected expert in the socio-economic and policy implications of mobility-related technologies

Utilizes a mix of interviews, lectures, and interactive 360 videos to facilitate learning

Appropriate for learners from all backgrounds, without requiring prior training in engineering or social science

Does not require learners to have access to specialized software or equipment

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in People, Technology and the Future of Mobility with these activities:

Review key concepts in transportation systems

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Strengthen foundational knowledge of transportation systems to enhance understanding of mobility-related technologies.

Browse courses on Transportation Systems

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Go over notes or textbooks from previous courses related to transportation systems.
Read articles or watch videos that provide an overview of key concepts in transportation systems.

Read 'The Third Wave' by Steve Case

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Gain insights into the transformative power of the internet and its impact on various aspects of society.

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Read 'The Third Wave' by Steve Case.
Take notes and highlight key concepts related to technology and innovation.
Reflect on the implications of the internet revolution discussed in the book.

Watch video tutorials on electric vehicle technology

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Explore various aspects of electric vehicle technology, from battery design to charging infrastructure, through guided video tutorials.

Browse courses on Electrification

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Identify reputable sources for video tutorials on electric vehicles.
Watch tutorials covering different aspects of electric vehicle technology, such as battery design, charging infrastructure, and environmental impact.

Five other activities

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Participate in peer discussion of articles on electric vehicle policy

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Engage with peers and exchange perspectives on electric vehicle policy, fostering critical thinking and communication skills.

Browse courses on Electrification

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Find articles related to electric vehicle policy.
Join or create a peer discussion group.
Discuss the articles and share insights with peers.

Attend a workshop on autonomous vehicle safety

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Engage with experts and explore practical considerations and best practices for autonomous vehicle safety.

Browse courses on Automation

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Identify and register for a workshop on autonomous vehicle safety.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions and demonstrations.
Summarize key takeaways and insights gained from the workshop.

Solve practice problems on electric vehicle charging infrastructure

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Reinforce understanding of electric vehicle charging infrastructure through targeted practice problems, enhancing problem-solving skills.

Browse courses on Electrification

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Find practice problems related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Attempt to solve the problems using the concepts learned in the course.
Review your solutions and identify areas for improvement.

Write a blog post on the impact of autonomous vehicles on society

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Analyze and articulate the societal implications of autonomous vehicles, fostering critical thinking and communication skills.

Browse courses on Automation

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Research the potential impact of autonomous vehicles on various aspects of society, such as employment, transportation, and privacy.
Organize your thoughts and develop an outline for your blog post.
Write a draft of your blog post, ensuring clear and concise language.
Review and edit your blog post for accuracy, grammar, and flow.

Develop a presentation on the future of electric vehicle charging technology

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Synthesize knowledge and present a comprehensive overview of the future of electric vehicle charging technology.

Browse courses on Electrification

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Research and gather information on emerging electric vehicle charging technologies.
Develop an outline for the presentation, including an introduction, main points, and conclusion.
Create visuals and slides to support the presentation.
Practice delivering the presentation and gather feedback from peers or mentors.

Career center

Learners who complete People, Technology and the Future of Mobility will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Mobility Engineer

Mobility Engineers design, develop, and implement mobility solutions. They work on a variety of projects, including transportation systems, mobility apps, and shared mobility services. This course may be useful for Mobility Engineers, as it provides an overview of the technologies and policy changes that are shaping the future of mobility.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobility Engineer

Transportation Economist

Transportation Economists analyze and make recommendations on transportation economics. They work with policymakers, stakeholders, and the public to develop and implement transportation policies. This course may be useful for Transportation Economists, as it provides an overview of the technologies and policy changes that are shaping the future of mobility.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Economist

Urban Designer

Urban Designers plan and design urban areas. They work with a variety of stakeholders to create plans that meet the needs of the community and promote sustainable development. This course may be useful for Urban Designers, as it provides an overview of the technologies and policy changes that are shaping the future of mobility.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Designer

Transportation Planner

Transportation Planners develop plans for the use of transportation systems. They work with a variety of stakeholders to identify and address transportation needs. This course may be useful for Transportation Planners, as it provides an overview of the technologies and policy changes that are shaping the future of mobility.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Planner

Transportation Policy Analyst

Transportation Policy Analysts analyze and make recommendations on transportation policy. They work with policymakers, stakeholders, and the public to develop and implement transportation policies. This course may be useful for Transportation Policy Analysts, as it provides an overview of the technologies and policy changes that are shaping the future of mobility.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Policy Analyst

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers develop and implement sustainability plans for organizations. They work with a variety of stakeholders to identify and reduce environmental, social, and economic impacts. This course may be useful for Sustainability Managers in the transportation sector, as it provides an overview of the technologies and policy changes that are shaping the future of mobility and sustainability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design, develop, and maintain electrical systems. They work on a variety of projects, including power generation, distribution, and control. This course may be useful for Electrical Engineers in the transportation sector, as it provides an overview of the technologies and policy changes that are shaping the future of mobility.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design, build, and maintain mechanical systems. They work on a variety of projects, including engines, vehicles, and robots. This course may be useful for Mechanical Engineers in the transportation sector, as it provides an overview of the technologies and policy changes that are shaping the future of mobility.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design, build, and maintain civil infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings. This course may be useful for Civil Engineers who are working on transportation projects, as it provides an overview of the technologies and policy changes that are shaping the future of mobility.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make better decisions. They use a variety of statistical and machine learning techniques to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies in data. This course may be useful for Data Scientists in the transportation sector, as it provides an overview of the technologies and data sources that are being used to improve mobility.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Urban Planner

Urban Planners develop plans for the use of land in cities and towns. They work with architects, engineers, and other stakeholders to create plans that meet the needs of the community. This course may be useful for Urban Planners, as it provides an overview of the technologies and policy changes that are shaping the future of mobility.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists conduct research to help protect the planet. They investigate the causes of environmental problems, conduct field and laboratory studies, and develop and implement solutions to environmental issues. This course may be useful for Environmental Scientists, as it provides an overview of the technologies and policy changes required to reduce carbon emissions and pollution in the transportation sector.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and marketing of new products. They work with engineers, designers, and marketers to bring new products to market. This course may be useful for Product Managers in the transportation sector, as it provides an overview of the technologies and consumer trends shaping the future of mobility.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Transportation Engineer

Transportation Engineers plan, design, and operate transportation systems. They work on a variety of projects, including road construction, traffic management, and public transportation. This course may be useful for Transportation Engineers, as it provides an overview of the technologies and policy changes that are shaping the future of mobility.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Engineer

Energy Systems Engineer

Energy Systems Engineers design, develop, implement, and maintain energy systems. They work on a variety of projects, including renewable energy generation, energy storage, and energy efficiency. This course may be useful for Energy Systems Engineers, as it covers the electrification of the transportation sector, an important part of the transition to a clean energy future.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Systems Engineer

People, Technology and the Future of Mobility

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