Predictions for the RC hobby in 2035

[TokyoProf]

Big changes are on the horizon with AI and robots becoming part of our world. Some experts say we won't recognize the world we live in ten years from now. Focusing on the RC hobby, what do you predict in 2035?

Three random predictions:
1) Vintage RC will increase in value (people will want the authentic golden era RC stuff)
2) We will do RC racing in the metaverse (I tried the Facebook headset and the future looks interesting).
3) Tamiya will win an off-road IFMAR World Championship with an Egress EVO or Astute EVO (future buggies)

[TRX-1-3]

Unfinished builds.
RC cars will fly.

[1911Colt]

I predict that I will have passed on, and about 15 Schumacher buggies will show up at the local Goodwill.

One thing that might happen: some Power Wheels type ride ons for kids are RC now. My grand-niece has a Jeep that she can drive, but Dad has a controller that over-rides her inputs to keep her from running through Mom's flower bed. Perhaps that concept grows and Grandpas of the future can watch their grandchildren drive around in RC10s, JrX2s, or Ultimas. Or for fun, maybe they will get ride on comical Wild Willys, Grasshoppers, and Avantes.

Now that I think about, I wonder why Tamiya hasn't already done it.

[Frankentruck]

I predict that I will have passed on, and about 15 Schumacher buggies will show up at the local Goodwill.

One thing that might happen: some Power Wheels type ride ons for kids are RC now. My grand-niece has a Jeep that she can drive, but Dad has a controller that over-rides her inputs to keep her from running through Mom's flower bed. Perhaps that concept grows and Grandpas of the future can watch their grandchildren drive around in RC10s, JrX2s, or Ultimas. Or for fun, maybe they will get ride on comical Wild Willys, Grasshoppers, and Avantes.

Now that I think about, I wonder why Tamiya hasn't already done it.

That first part of your prediction needs to be recalled. No more good people passing away.

It's really tempting to add Power Wheels as an RC project. The only thing stopping me, other than my current backlog of projects, is that I get enough comments about how much space my current little RCs take. So maybe that's 2 things stopping me.

[Mark Westerfield]

By 2035 there will be exceptionally few commercial r/c tracks. Companies making high end, r/c racing products will be almost non-existent as 'professional' racing becomes irrelevant since consumer's purchases are no longer influenced by ingenuity, performance, or racing results - but by whichever direct to consumer manufacturer gives the best discount on rebranded, cloned, and repurposed product. (well, I guess I mean to say it will be even worse than it is now, )

[Phin]

1) Vintage RC will increase in value (people will want the authentic golden era RC stuff)

I'm not sure about this one. As our group ages there are going to be fewer collectors as some will pass on, and more will be entering retirement and have to slow down/stop purchasing RC due to fixed incomes + rising costs of living. These folk won't be replaced by new "demand" from younger collectors. Meanwhile "supply" will increase as collections are sold off by estates, and guys not looking to leave the hassle of selling off our toys to their kids.

We might not see a drop in prices in the next 10 years but value will take a hit because of inflation. RC collecting is a bad investment (but obviously don't tell your wives that ).

[Frankentruck]

RC collecting is a bad investment (but obviously don't tell your wives that ).

I tell my wife I would lose more money in a casino if I gambled

[1911Colt]

1) Vintage RC will increase in value (people will want the authentic golden era RC stuff)

I'm not sure about this one.

Vintage racing is the key in my opinion. If the young people get on board with vintage racing, the hobby is solid for another generation. I don't think shelf queens will make the connection. Not many will be excited enough to keep the hobby alive just to look at something dad or grandpa looked at, but if they race in vintage classes with their dads or with dad's car, that might do it.

I base this on what I see with 1:1 vintage racing. SVRA, Goodwood, etc. has kept cars from the 30s-60s in front of generations of people who did not grow up watching them race. Pre-war Alfas and C type Jags are still worth a fortune even though the folks who saw them driven by Nuvolari or Moss are no longer with us.

[JosephS]

Ten years is a long way out.

I can't see AI having a real big influence unless someone makes an AI driver stability system.

I can see AI having a real big influence as RC cars become autonomous AI driven events. I'm having my kids build RC10t's because you can use it as the base of robotic racer.

Tracks die out as the older generation running them can't find a newer generation to take over running the business.

Vintage cars become nearly worthless as manufacturers closely track the resale of them and make a reissue when the price hits a certain point.

Most of my current unfinished projects will still be waiting to be worked on.

I'll finally get my 3rd body back from the painter.

[RCveteran]

My RC car drives itself to the one track that remains, races, drives home, reports its results to me virtually while I drool on myself in the Metaverse.

[TravelinTravis]

Vintage pan cars come roaring back to life in popularity.....rere's, vintage races, etc.....and my kids make a mint selling off my stuff, to cover my funeral, the open bar tab at the wake and a 70's rock cover band.

[Lavigna]

Sort of like 1911Colt said, there is a fair chance all of my RC stuff will be dumped at the local Goodwill by my wife or kids after I kick the bucket. Somebody is going to end up with the RC score of a lifetime.

[Frankentruck]

I initially misread the date as 2025 instead of 2035. Why is everyone planning on dying this year?!?!

[TokyoProf]

Vintage pan cars come roaring back to life in popularity.....rere's, vintage races, etc.....and my kids make a mint selling off my stuff, to cover my funeral, the open bar tab at the wake and a 70's rock cover band. 20241212_151927.jpg

Did you solder those SCR batteries? That is amazing skill there--perfection. Upload a youtube video showing us how you do that--painting and soldering is a pain.
AI will extend our lives (imagine a doctor with an IQ of 500 at our fingertips) this is real stuff, so you all will have the chance to live much longer on earth.
In the meantime, send me all your local goodwill locations

I think we will have more time for our hobbies and leisure, work will be optional for many past 2035. There is "almost" nothing a robot won't do better. It will be disruption until 2035/maybe hell at some point, because we have always lived with a scarcity mindset, winners and losers, not enough to go around. Now if we get to 2035 in one piece--a life of abundance awaits, unlimited energy, unlimited food, unheard of medical advancements, everything we could ever want. But, if everyone won the lottery we still would find a way to mess it up as humans. It will be a wild ride till then.

[Lowgear]

Man, you've really been on the AI stuff lately. All I see at the moment is Skynet happening.