Before the world was shut down by the Coronavirus pandemic, we got a glimpse of what we can expect in the automobile world in 2020 and 2021. As the world progresses in almost every aspect, technology proves to be one of the fastest moving sectors. Whether it’s the feature in your smartphone that helps you snap a picture of an object 500 meters away or the software in your car that lets you start it with a touch, technology has come an impressively long way and there is no stopping it anytime soon. We see something new every year from the many car manufacturers and they are continuing to upgrade their features and functionality. So, what kind of technological breakthroughs can we find in the latest cars today? Let’s find out.
Ok, we might not put our entire trust in a self-driving car quite just yet, but we are already pretty close. Autonomous vehicles or “Fully-Autonomous vehicles” are already here but it will probably take another 5-10 years before we can actually sit in one and not worry about it driving you straight off a cliff. Tesla is one of the manufacturers that already sell cars that feature the self-driving technology and we have all seen the videos of people taking a nap while the car takes them to their destination, hopefully safely. With this technology already here, we can expect many more manufacturers enter the market in the coming years.
Somewhat related to autonomous vehicles, the driver override technology is also coming along quite nicely and will be a very handy feature in modern cars to come. Essentially, the driver override system means that the car will completely ignore the commands of the driver and do what it thinks is in the best interest of the driver. Mercedes, BMW, and other manufacturers have already showcased the feature where their cars will automatically slow down and eventually stop even if the driver fails to apply the brakes. However, the driver override technology takes it to the next level and will apply the brakes even when the driver has his foot slammed on the accelerator. This will be made possible by the addition of sensors in the vehicle which will help it make quick and smart decisions when the driver is incapable of taking control. Hopefully, the driver override technology will be extremely helpful for drivers who wrongfully choose to take the wheel under the influence of alcohol.
Fingerprint scanners have seen an increase in popularity over the past few years and they have finally made their presence felt in the automobile industry as well. We have previously seen the big car keys give way to keyless fobs that allow holders to enter and turn on their cars without the need for a key. Push-button start and stop has now become extremely popular as well and we find more manufacturers adding that feature to most of their models. But it looks like security and ignition of your car will all be powered by the mighty thumb (or any of the fingers on your hand). Yes, that’s right, car manufacturers are now implementing fingerprint scanners into their vehicles and it could change the game completely. The same fingerprint sensor that lets you get into your smartphone has made its way onto your car and it will make getting into your car faster and easier. In the coming months, we will see a number of cars with fingerprint readers on the doors and on the dashboard which will be used to get into the car and start the car respectively.
Whether you have a new car or a pre-owned car, protecting it is one of the biggest priorities for any car owner. Every year, hundreds if not thousands, of cars are stolen in India alone and that number might increase if car manufacturers don’t take matters into their own hands. Fortunately, that is exactly what they have planned to do with comprehensive tracking. This specialized tracking is different from the regular GPS tracking as it offers more information such the distance traveled and the time at which the vehicle was travelling in a specific area. Do you think this technology will reduce the number of vehicle thefts in the country going forward?
Although we have seen Head-Up-Display or HUD technology featured in cars more than 20 years ago, the newest technology has made it such that the displays are a lot brighter and vibrant in the cars today. The glass used in the windshield of today’s cars are designed to display the information in a way that is extremely clear and distinct no matter what the outdoor lighting is like. The HUD technology now let’s drivers know about an upcoming turn by highlighting it on the glass in front of them. While your current car might not come with HUD technology, you can get a newer model with the feature by using a second hand car evaluation tool to get the best deals on any model you might have your eye on.
Similar to driver overriding, the remote shutdown technology is something that will be extremely useful in situations that require it the most. Imagine that your car was stolen and the thief was heading for the closest highway to make their escape. Now picture yourself not losing control but taking out your smartphone and activating the remote shutdown function knowing that wherever the car is, it is not going to move from there. Yes, that is exactly what the remote shutdown technology brings to the table. Owners will be able to shut down their cars remotely either using their smartphones or by getting in touch with the authorities and having them shut the car down themselves. This will be very helpful in police chases wherein the stolen vehicle will not be able to cause any harm to its surroundings.
What if you could have a car that monitors all your vital signs and makes decisions based on that? Sound like something out of a science fiction movie? Well, not anymore because many car manufacturers are looking into the active health monitoring technology that uses sensors on the steering wheel or seatbelt that could read the driver’s vital stats in real-time. The use and popularity of wearable technology has made it such that your car will be able to wirelessly pair with those sensors and manage your driving abilities in times of emergency. For example, if the sensors in the car discover that the driver is about to have a heart attack, the technology will firstly, pull the car over, and then inform the paramedics. This technology is surely going to change the driving world for the better in the future.
Google has definitely changed the world but the company is capable of understanding your behavior and suggesting things that you want. This will also transfer over to your car and its on-board infotainment system. As long as your car is connected to the internet, your search suggestions will allow you to make any purchases you want with the touch of a button. The GPS feature in your car will also provide you with location-based ads and shopping suggestions as you drive around. This customized shopping experience will make it so much better for people who enjoy using their smartphones for browsing and shopping on the internet. If your car doesn’t have this feature already, you can get an RC transfer to get the best deal on your car and get your hands on the latest model without burning through your savings.
Solar energy has long been used as an alternative energy source and it will continue to deliver (so long as the sun keeps shining that is). However, you probably didn’t realize that many car manufacturers have been using solar panels to power their cars – essentially a solar car. As the technology for harnessing and using the energy from the sun has advanced significantly over the years, solar cars and other solar vehicles have become a valid and viable solution to the depleting fossil fuels. Now that solar panels have become more affordable, even the budget-friendly manufacturers are implementing “sunlight” as their primary power source for their vehicles and we can expect a lot more to come in the near future.
You can use the sun’s energy through batteries as described in the previous technology or through lightweight carbon resin and polymer fiber panels. The cars that use these energy storing panels gain a lot as they significantly reduce the overall weight of the vehicle. What these panels do is store energy from the sun and reserve it for later when the car is low on energy. Unlike solar cars that only run on the energy from the sun, these panels can be attached to petrol or diesel cars as well as a way to produce more power and torque.
With so much to look forward to, the automobile industry is surely going to get a lot of attention in the coming months and years. Some of these above-mentioned technologies have already made it into the market but they need to be perfected and their manufacturers are looking to do just that. Which of the technologies are you most looking forward to using in your next car?
