Liviu Marcus
The automotive industry is dynamic and the new cars that are in the market are equipped with new technologies that revolutionize the way we drive. Apart from the usual features such as power, fuel consumption, and safety, today’s cars have features and features that are in line with the digital age. Now, let’s look at some of the most revolutionary and innovative features that are available in modern cars.
Table of Contents
Augmented Reality Head-Up Displays (AR HUDs)
The best example of the automotive innovation is the augmented reality head-up display (AR HUD). Traditional HUDs are designed to display simple information such as speed and navigation on the windshield whereas, AR HUDs use augmented reality to display real time data in the driver’s field of view. For instance, navigation arrows seem to lie directly on the physical road, thus helping the driver know where to turn. This enhances safety as drivers gets to keep their eyes on the road as they get the necessary information they require.
Audi has been the pioneer in this market for the last few years now and rivals are catching up fast. Ford is in the last phases of their project called the ‘pillar-to-pillar touchscreen’ which makes the entire windshield a full color 3D display. It is fairly certain that all the leading automakers will introduce a similar system in their models in the near future.
Nonetheless, there are concerns that exist with AR HUDs even with the progress made. Research is still being carried out as to whether the display causes “fixation behavior”, meaning does the display interfere with the drivers more than it assists them. And consumers are quite right to be worried about the possible monthly charges that they may have to make towards the service being offered by the manufacturer.
Biometric Vehicle Access
Keyless entry has been around for a while, however some of the new models go even further with biometric access control. Hyundai Genesis GV70 for example, is using facial recognition that enables owners to access and start their automobiles using their faces just like one would with an iPhone. Other vehicles have fingerprint scanner for added security in order to make the vehicle even more personal. This improvement brings more ease and provides better security as compared to others because biometric data is different for every person.
Of course, it has led to some concerns that can be considered as legitimate. This has raised some concerns on the part of the car owners as to where and how this data will be used since it is for sale. Will the car makers release this information to the police without the consent of the owner and or a court order? This information will surely be hidden in terms of service that most of the drivers will not read through. So let’s wait and watch if this is something that can revolutionize the industry or not.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Current ADAS are far more complex with system functionalities that are close to semi-automated driving. The new systems include automated lane change, traffic jam assist and hands-free highway driving in addition to the basic adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Some automobiles, for instance, Tesla Model S with its Autopilot function and Cadillac’s Super Cruise, can drive through complicated conditions without much human intervention and thus help to avoid driver’s fatigue during long trips.
Although this seems to be enhancing on a day to day basis, there are fears on how this will affect the drivers. Will this technology make drivers over dependent on the systems and become relatively lazy while on the road?
Digital Key Technology
Smart keys are an advancement where a driver is able to use his or her mobile phone to unlock as well as switch on the car. This function is based on the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and the Near Field Communication (NFC) to connect with the vehicle. For instance, BMW’s Digital Key allows the owner to share the access with up to five people and grant them a temporary access to the car without the use of physical key. handy in case you have a friend who requires to use the car for a while say in the afternoon.
Another great thing about this feature is that parents can be able to regulate their children’s driving. Both the apps offer the facility of setting up the access levels which can limit the speed and the audio volume when the teen has to use the car. And if they misbehave and do something that warrants a consequence, they could lose the car and the ability to drive until they make it right with you and that’s just a click away.
Integrated Health Monitoring Systems
Certain cars of the new model are now coming with features that can monitor the driver’s health. For instance, the modern car models such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has sensors placed on the steering wheel that are capable of tracking heart rate. Other manufacturers are developing features that can tell the extent of driver’s fatigue, lack of attention or even identifying potential medical conditions through the driver’s breathing and sitting posture. This feature is very effective in improving the driver’s safety because it can guide the car to make some adjustments or even call the necessary emergency services if it suspects that the driver is not in a right condition.
As it was the case with biometric technology, the issue here is how the information will be applied. But if that can be sorted out and trusted, it’s a game changer for drivers who spend a lot of time on the road or those with health conditions like epilepsy.
360-Degree Camera Systems with Object Recognition
The use of 360-degree cameras are not new to car owners but what is new is that these cameras come with some sweet features. These systems offer the driver a view of the surrounding environment of the vehicle and this is most helpful when the driver is parking or trying to navigate the vehicle around congested areas. Now, with the help of improved software, they can detect objects and animals or pedestrians on the road, inform the driver and in some cases even prevent an accident.
Built-in Cabin Air Fresheners
Keeping the inside of your car smelling great is a constant battle. But one luxury automaker is trying to make that job a little easier. Mercedes-Benz has developed perfume atomizers that conveniently slide into a slot in the glove compartment as part of their Air Balnace System. How much fragrance is dispersed can be adjusted through the on-board menu.
At nearly $140 a bottle, though, this is definitely a luxury item. At this time, you have to buy the proprietary bottles directly from Mercedes-Benz as they’re the only ones that can fit in your vehicle. Hopefully, this technology catches on with other manufacturers, and there will be a standardized bottle with cheaper aftermarket options. But until then, it might be best to stick to hanging car air fresheners or cheap vent clips.
Customizable Digital Cockpits
Analog dials inside new cars are nearly dead. It’s a digital cockpit or bust. What sets the latest digital cockpits apart from previous iterations is their high level of customization. Drivers can choose the layout and content displayed, from navigation and media to safety information and performance metrics. Some manufacturers, like Audi and BMW, allow multiple profiles, meaning each driver can have a personalized setup that activates automatically when they enter the car (usually using the keyfob as acknowledgment). This high degree of personalization enhances the driving experience, making each journey more enjoyable and intuitive.
Sustainable and Recyclable Interiors
The increasing awareness of the effects of climate change and the recent environmentally friendly legislation has made many automakers to look for ways to make sustainable cars. New cars are becoming more environmentally friendly as more and more companies use recycled materials, or as sources of materials that are renewable. For instance, the BMW i3 has eucalyptus wood on its interior and recycled plastics while the Polestar 2 is made with vegan materials including fishing nets that have been retrieved. These green interiors lower the car’s emissions and speak to consumers who are concerned about the environment and wish to express this in the vehicles they own. Especially suitable for the ones who are planning to buy electric ones.
Over-the-Air (OTA) Software Updates
Old drivers may recall that not long ago, updating the software of the car was a very complicated process. The dealer would have to install it anyways and they couldn’t even ensure it would work. Owing to the intricacy of these updates it was unusual to find them on any car that was more than one year old. But over-the-air (OTA) software updates have come into the automotive scene in the recent past.
This new feature enables manufacturers to download new software packages into a car and hence add new features, rectify some bugs, or enhance the car’s performance without the car being taken to the dealership. Ford, BMW, Volkswagen and other car manufacturers are now following in Tesla’s footsteps and adopting this technology. OTA updates help in maintaining the cars in synch with the modern technologies and are a great way of improving the car’s functions without having to buy a new car.
Adaptive Ambient Lighting
For the past few years, car makers have been using ambient lighting in the interiors of cars as a styling element, but nowadays cars are equipped with adaptive ambient lighting systems. These systems change the lighting depending on the traffic situation, the state of the driver, his/her preferences, or even the music being played. Some of these vehicles, for instance, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, can adjust the colour and the level of illumination depending on what the climate control system or driver preferences are, thus enhancing the experience of the occupants.
With the integration of the driver profile on most vehicles, it is now possible to set the lighting to one’s preference when he or she enters the car.
Future Looks Bright
The automotive industry is in the middle of a revolution and what we have been witnessing so far is quite promising. From AR Head-up display to Biometric access and Sustainable interiors, today’s cars are packed with technologies that are almost cinematic. The above features are already being integrated into the cars and they have the potential of revolutionizing the whole driving experience and make it more connected and futuristic.
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