When I was a kid, I always pictured the future as looking futuristic. Well here we are. Sure, we can do almost anything at the touch of a button, and we have phones that are smarter than a lot of people out there. But aside from a few new buildings, a few run-down buildings, and a bunch of modernized business signs, everything looks pretty much the same as it did 30 years ago.

Where are all the flying cars, robot housekeepers and roads that light up? While two of these are still being developed for use by the general public, one of them is a reality today!

How cool would it be to have roads that automatically removed snow and warned drivers of upcoming obstacles, in addition to providing three times the energy that the U.S. consumes? How does a clean, energy-efficient future for our children and grandchildren sound?

More From Cars 108