My Dad is 91 but still wants to know “what’s next?”.....

My Dad is 91 years old.? He has witnessed changes during his lifetime that would have been considered inconceivable at the time of his birth in 1931, not least the technological advances in the world around us.?

Supersonic flights by aircraft, full body scanners in hospitals, chemotherapy, sequencing the human genome, sending people to walk on the moon, mega computers in our pockets (we call them mobile phones).? Indeed, as I am writing this, I am realising that the list of things he has seen come to realisation in the last 91 years is huge.

Some technologies have been wholeheartedly adopted by Dad. He and I speak across two different countries with different time zones, and not always from the same location, using Whatsapp on our phones.? As an aside, try explaining to someone in detail how Whatsapp is able to work anywhere there is wifi or a phone signal and you may come to realise what an achievement it is.

Having an interest in what comes next is probably what keeps him young (in relative terms). Often he asks “what’s next”, as he knows I have an interest in future technologies. Sometimes we have a difference of opinion, for example recently about how quickly electric vehicles will be used by the majority of people.

He tells me, folr example, the range of an electric car is a well known barrier to extensive adoption, but I counter with the news of a new way of charging electric vehicles on the go. It is a similar method to charging a mobile phone by Wifi, rather than with a cable plugged into a socket.?

France was one of the first countries to trial this system (successfully). Detroit in the USA, perhaps unsurprisingly, has also trialled this type of charging.? France is now considering overhead wires which will be able to wirelessly recharge cars on the move, as is Germany.? Plans announced so far for ‘in transit’ charging infrastructure include recharging ability over these distances -

• France - 8,850 Km
• Germany - 2.500 km
• Sweden - 1,200 km

Israel also has a prototype in Tel Aviv for charging electric buses.? Other projects are being developed around the world. Asia, a very big EV market already, is also well on the way to wireless charging of electric cars.

The BMW 530e hybrid sedan already has the coil needed for wireless charging on the move fitted as standard.

Perhaps it is because I am my father’s son that I have an interest in the future.? However, I also have a professional reason for this interest.? I look forward when helping clients with financial planning and this includes how to manage their savings and investments, and what they should consider as the right style of investment for their futures.?

Not all technologies are profitable for investors.? However, the next phase of technology is bringing identifiable opportunities.

If your savings are in excess of €300,000 and you live in Spain,? if you want to look forward in your planning (not backwards at past performance), please feel welcome to book a call using my online system at a time that is convenient for you.??

Barry Davys

Partner Spectrum IFA Group

P.S. Coming to a supermarket near you, wireless charging plates in the car park so your car charges whilst you are shopping!

Sources

BBC Future

EV Charging Summit & Expo