Is a hybrid in your future? The father of the Prius thinks so.

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There's been a lot of talk in the past year about the future of automobiles and how we all need to prepare ourselves for the day of the "driver-less" car. Automakers and even tech giants like Google are working on their own versions of cars that pilot themselves, and claim that they could be ready in the next 10 years. Hop in, tell it where you want to go, and watch in amazement as the vehicle drives you to your destination. Sounds like science fiction, right? Would you trust a computer system to make all of your driving decisions?

Toyota's chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada, who was one of the pioneers of the original Toyota Prius, has a different opinion– he believes that we should maximize advances in hybrid technology first. Before autonomous cars (or even simply all-electric cars) take over, Uchiyamada says "there are still many more gains we can achieve with hybrids." For example, the current 3rd generation of the Prius has 10% better fuel efficiency than the previous one, at a combined MPG of 50. Mr. Uchiyamada is confident they can improve that number even more when the 4th generation is developed.

His game plan? To sell 5 million hybrid vehicles in the U.S. by the end of 2016 and achieve mileage standards set forth by the Obama administration. “It’s only when we put ourselves under the same kind of intense pressure we faced in developing the Prius that we can achieve great goals. That’s what it takes. I want our industry to achieve this goal," he said.

Toyota's continued work with hybrid technology is actually more in line with what I think is best for all of us, as drivers. Rather than moving on from hybrids and only focusing on self-driving vehicles, they're slowly adding more self-driving features in future vehicles and getting us comfortable with using them. Two examples immediately come to mind: the first is the advanced technology package available on the Prius V, which offers a parking assist option where the driver uses a camera to find a suitable spot for the vehicle. Once located, the vehicle automatically guides itself into a parking spot.
The second is the Yaris Hybrid-R, a concept vehicle capable of 414 horsepower. It utilizes multiple motors, with a gas engine to power the two front wheels, and two electric motors that specifically power the rear wheels, giving the car all-wheel drive traction. While unlikely to ever hit the showroom, elements of its design may make their way into future cars.

In addition to both of these technologies, Toyota is also working on sensors that would allow a vehicle to apply brakes and control the steering wheel on its own. According to Mr. Uchiyamada, they want to eliminate driving fatalities on the highway, but believes that drivers need to be in control of their vehicle for the foreseeable future.

Do you agree that we're not yet ready for a world where cars drive themselves?

3 road trip tips for Labor Day weekend

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Do you typically go somewhere each year for Labor Day or another holiday weekend? More often than not, I find myself wanting to take advantage of those rare moments where I get 72 hours of free time by visiting friends out of town. Chicago and Kansas City are some of my favorite spots to hit up, as I can get to both fairly easily from St. Louis. You'd think that with both destinations only requiring one different highway each to travel on, it'd be straightforward and simple. That's not always the case!

Labor Day weekend (and really any three day holiday weekend) is going to be the busiest time of the year to travel. Our Lou Fusz Insurance manager Chris was talking with me about driving, and she came up with some ideas for getting yourself mentally and physically prepared for going out of town. Here are her top three pieces of advice before you pack your bags and hit the road:

1. Make sure your car is ready for the stress of several hundred (or more!) miles.

Has it been awhile since you've had your car checked for routine maintenance, or taken it in for an oil change? A road trip is the perfect excuse to get it done before you leave, so you can minimize the chances of having any problems occur. This includes the engine, radiator, and other fluids, such as your windshield wipers. Don't forget to check your tires and make sure they're properly inflated! It can be incredibly expensive to get your car fixed if you're out of town and need last minute repairs over the weekend. 

2. Plan ahead and know your route.

Traffic can get brutal on a Friday evening! If you're heading out after work, it's best to leave extra early if possible. You'll want to ideally be on the highway before 3 PM as many people tend to take shorter days on Friday, especially if it's a holiday weekend. Rush hour traffic can add an extra 30 mins to an hour of driving! If you're hoping to get to your destination by a certain time, it's also important to check online and see if there are any lane closures or construction work being done, as those can add significant amounts of time to your journey. A phone charger for your car is a good idea as well, if you plan to use GPS often.

3. Stay safe, energized, and focused on the road.

The weekend always brings a higher likelihood of drivers who are either tired or have been drinking. Because of this, you'll need to take extra precaution on the highway, more-so if you're driving at night. Taking a road trip longer than several hours? Make sure to have frequent stops to eat, use the restroom, stretch, and keep yourself hydrated. You should also consider splitting up driving duties if traveling with others. Know your personal limits, and if you start to feel tired, stop and rest! Drowsy driving is incredibly dangerous, and many people don't even realize when they start falling asleep behind the wheel for one to two seconds at a time.

Do you have any other road trip tips or ideas? Leave a comment and share them below!