The world we live in is continually changing, in most parts for the better, thanks to the power of technology. The way we communicate, the way we exercise, the way we consume entertainment, even the way we eat has all been rapidly altered.
It was once a ground-breaking development to have takeaway deliveries, placing an order over the phone and having it delivered to our door, only having to get up to open the door. Nowadays, app based services such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats remove the little human interaction there was and allow the user to order food without even speaking to someone.
One industry, similarly, which has felt the stark effects of rapidly developing technologies is the automotive industry.
Car manufacturers are constantly trying to stay up to date with new innovations. At the rate that smart technology is advancing, companies have to work hard to avoid being left behind. We’ve already seen huge advancements such as in-car Bluetooth systems, dash-cams, and key finders. But what’s next for the world of automotive tech? The smart technology predictions over the next few years are set to totally revolutionise the way people drive. These new ideas will focus on safer driving, easier driving, and adding more fun enhancements to your driving experience.
Sync between our car and our gadgets
We’ve already seen our phones play an rapidly increased role in our car — this isn’t set to slow either. Recent innovations have seen car manufacturers such as Hyundai, pair up with the Android Wear app which allows users to complete a number of commands from your smart watch. From your watch you can start your engine remotely, lock your car’s doors, sound your horn, and turn the headlights on and off.
Furthermore, built-in integration with apps is set to become more commonplace with new car models. Many models now integrate popular apps into the infotainment system, making it look just like the usual screen on your phone.
Dashboard displays
Soon, augmented reality dashboards will provide you with all the information you could possibly need to enhance your driving experience. Giving your dashboard a video-game aesthetic, AR displays will show any information you need to know about the car itself. They will also give you other vital information about the road, such as how quickly you’re approaching another car, and how best to avoid collisions.
Autonomous vehicles
For many years, the thought of having self-driving cars has been somewhat of a very imaginative pipe dream. The idea once seemed futuristic and farfetched, but the tech is now being developed and tested by leading automotive companies such as Audi. Similar to the idea behind inter-car communication, self-driving cars are set to reduce the risk of human error on the road. The result? A safer and more reliable way to travel.
The Google Self-Driving Car project was initiated in 2009 and has since been rebranded as Waymo. After ordering a Waymo on an app, a self-driving car will pick you up and take you where you need to be — a journey which promises to be both extremely safe and very comfortable. The idea behind Waymo is that you can ‘ride with confidence’ and these vehicles have been branded as ‘the most experienced drivers’.
Embracing self-driving cars feels like taking a leap of faith, but in the next few years, this tech is likely to feel much more common place. At this rate, we’ll have access to self-driving cars in our local Audi dealership sooner than we could have imagined.
Parktronic
If you are one of those people who continually finds themselves battling to squeeze into what seems like a near-impossible parking space, fear no more.
Parktronic systems that allow cars to find parking spaces and navigate to them already exist, but with new infrastructure around automated parking systems forecasted, the future looks bright for those who hate parking.
This infrastructure will allow passengers to drop off the car at the entrance to a garage, allowing it to venture off and find its own parking space. And when you’re ready to be reunited with your wheels? A simple tap on an app will signal to your car that it’s time to journey back to the drop-off point.
Gesture-tech
Have you ever thought about being able to control your vehicle’s functions simply by the wave of a hand? Like magic, you will soon be able to control many elements of your vehicle with mere gestures. As well as being futuristic and fun, this tech is set to make driving easier and safer. Instead of jabbing at buttons on the radio, or being tempted to reach out for your phone, you will soon be able to point at the screen of your infotainment system to accept an incoming call — a simple solution that means you’ll never have to take your eyes off the road.
Car-to-car communication
Internet enable cars are prominent throughout the motoring world. Soon however, these internet-enabled cars will have the ability to communicate with one another, transforming our driving experience. Communication between cars will help prevent collisions, with precision that human error has never before allowed us to achieve. Before a collision can occur, the car-to-car communication system will foresee the accident and alert the driver to the potential consequences. They will then be able to react quickly and avoid catastrophe.
It should come as no surprise that the year 2020 will provide us with many more innovative smart technologies that enhance user experience in the car and improve safety. Watch this space.
Sources
https://www.petra.com/blog/what-is-smart-technology/
https://thewiredshopper.com/7-mind-blowing-smart-car-technologies-that-will-hit-the-road-soon/
https://www.germanautolabs.com/blog/5-future-smart-car-technologies-youll-love