Advancements in technology in the automotive industry have allowed cars to come a long way in the past 100 years. We went from open-air vehicles to powerful cars that can go hundreds of miles per hour. The speed at which these advancements have been implemented has been incredible. Even seatbelts are a newer technology and were implemented only 50 years ago or so. But there are some technologies in the automotive industry that you should keep an eye on. They are coming fast into the mainstream and with incredible benefits.
Electric Cars
Buying electric cars is the way of the future. Using fossil fuels to run a combustion engine is old technology. While it has been refined over the years, they still operate using the same basic principles. Combustion engines do have some benefits over electric cars, mainly in how far they can go on a tank of gas versus a charged battery. However, companies are trying to improve those gaps. The Tesla charge time for instance is less in newer models than the first ones that came out. Additionally, companies like Tesla are working on creating car models that can go further distances on a single charge.
Electric and hybrid cars are also one of the ways that eco-friendly consumers are trying to reduce their emissions and help create a cleaner planet. By leveraging technology that limits the amount of carbon and other toxins sent into the air, they are starting to accomplish this goal.
Self-Driving Cars
Did you know that cars with auto park and parking assistance use the exact same technology that fully autonomous cars use? This means that even people who don’t have a fully self-driving car may be driving a vehicle with the same technology. These cars help you park in tight spaces, they help you get out of being parallel parked, and can even help you avoid hitting something on the road. If you’re distracted for a moment, cars that have this feature can even brake on your behalf. They offer a lot of convenience and safety features that benefit everyone on the road.
Another thing to watch for with self-driving cars is the taxi industry. Companies like Uber are already testing features that allow consumers to get picked up in self-driving cars. A self-driving car could also provide autonomy for the elderly who can no longer drive for themselves. It also has impacts for the disabled who cannot drive but desire independence.
Hands-Free Radio Controls
The radio is known to be a source of distraction for drivers. When people get focused on changing the station or turning up the volume, they get their eyes off the road and can risk an accident. Newer controls allow users to change the station using voice commands. Another technology allows users to simply wave their hands a certain way to make changes. They can do everything in simple and non-distracting ways. This makes the roads safer for everyone and creates a better user experience.
Mobile Connectivity
Connecting your smartphone to your smart car just makes sense. You can use an app on your phone to unlock your car. You can program your phone to connect to your car while you’re driving. This can improve GPS functionality, make it easy to answer calls hands-free and so much more. More connectivity means that you can simplify normal functions. You can also add a charging pad to your car so your phone no longer needs wires to stay charged up.
Vehicle Tracking Systems
Anti-theft technology has made leaps and bounds. When your car was stolen a few decades ago, you had to hope that someone would eventually spot it. But OnStar technology makes it easy to find your car in the event of theft. This not only saves the insurance company a lot of money, but it means you can get your vehicle back much quicker than ever before. OnStar can even shut down your car remotely in conjunction with the police if they know it’s been stolen. This can keep your car from crossing state lines and ensures that you get it back hopefully in one piece.
This technology continues to make advancements. Imagine it combining with facial recognition technology so that only certain people were allowed to start and drive your car.
