Chapter Nine: Vehicles
Planetary Travel: As of 2008, none of the techniques described for TL9 in this section have been introduced on a large scale. Self-driving vehicles may be closest, and the Los Angeles municipal government is said to be seriously considering the creation of a municipal traffic control system.
Contragravity: Ironically, the principles of contragravity were first developed in the 1950s, and have been repeatedly rediscovered several times since then. As yet, the technology has never been made commercially available, usually due to the peculiarities of the inventors (read mad scientists) involved, or sometimes because it was in the interests of the inventors' sponsors to reserve it for their personal use. Such is the case with the UN's contragrav technology. As yet, only a relatively light field can be generated, able to move a battlesuited trooper at an aerial move of 5/20, but improvements are being made steadily. The UN hopes to be able to introduce licensed contragrav generators sometime in the next decade.
Space Travel: Space elevator designs are still largely theoretical, and it's likely that none will ever be constructed, given that contragravity is a viable alternative. So far, getting to orbit relies on space shuttles.
Flying Cars: The air car has so far made an impact in only one market -- law enforcement, which uses them for high speed chases with flying metahumans. (Even multiplying the price tag by 2.5, a flying car is cheaper than a TL8 utility helicopter, which makes it ideal for police departments, and faster and more maneuverable too!) Because of this, legislators have been reluctant to allow them into civilian hands as yet.
Tanks: The light battle tank, while outnumbered by TL7 and 8 tanks, has been integrated into every modern military on Earth. And there are disturbing reports of it being used for law enforcement ... in South Africa.
... and we're done!
Planetary Travel: As of 2008, none of the techniques described for TL9 in this section have been introduced on a large scale. Self-driving vehicles may be closest, and the Los Angeles municipal government is said to be seriously considering the creation of a municipal traffic control system.
Contragravity: Ironically, the principles of contragravity were first developed in the 1950s, and have been repeatedly rediscovered several times since then. As yet, the technology has never been made commercially available, usually due to the peculiarities of the inventors (read mad scientists) involved, or sometimes because it was in the interests of the inventors' sponsors to reserve it for their personal use. Such is the case with the UN's contragrav technology. As yet, only a relatively light field can be generated, able to move a battlesuited trooper at an aerial move of 5/20, but improvements are being made steadily. The UN hopes to be able to introduce licensed contragrav generators sometime in the next decade.
Space Travel: Space elevator designs are still largely theoretical, and it's likely that none will ever be constructed, given that contragravity is a viable alternative. So far, getting to orbit relies on space shuttles.
Flying Cars: The air car has so far made an impact in only one market -- law enforcement, which uses them for high speed chases with flying metahumans. (Even multiplying the price tag by 2.5, a flying car is cheaper than a TL8 utility helicopter, which makes it ideal for police departments, and faster and more maneuverable too!) Because of this, legislators have been reluctant to allow them into civilian hands as yet.
Tanks: The light battle tank, while outnumbered by TL7 and 8 tanks, has been integrated into every modern military on Earth. And there are disturbing reports of it being used for law enforcement ... in South Africa.
... and we're done!