As cars become smarter and more autonomous, they will require a lot of revolutionary technology to make them even more useful to drivers. Enterprises that can successfully apply this technology will emerge as winners.
New car buyers would do well to spend less time looking under the hood and instead explore the tech. Today it's more important how the driver and vehicle occupants engage with the advanced automobiles of today.
The best driving experience, for the most part, is one that is not filled with sophisticated electronics. But these most impressive examples of automotive technology actually make the cars better for enthusiasts.
Teen Driver Technology
It can be a hesitating experience to hand over the keys to your teenager, but some smart new tech might ease your mind a little. Several cars are built-in with some sort of teen driver limitations.
If the car is driven over a certain speed, it can notify you. It can also disable the stereo if seat belts are not used and even keep the stereo from turning up past 7.
Chevrolet's Teen Driver feature also provides a Report Card to tell parents if security systems such as ABS or forward collision alert were triggered while your teen was handling the wheel.
Stolen Vehicle Tracking Software
The growing number of vehicles being stolen appears troubling, and that trend continues to rise. Much of the credit goes to the innovative technology automakers put in their cars, such as the stolen car's ability to alert law enforcement.
The technology is integrated into the assistance and security systems of the car, such as Connected Drive by BMW or OnStar by GM.
While those promoted features allow for effortless diagnosis, concierge, and post-crash notification to call emergency responders, law enforcement may also use them to determine the specific location of a vehicle.
Amazon Alexa Integration
At CES 2020, Lamborghini and Rivian confirmed the incorporation of Amazon Alexa for their vehicles, but this goes one step further than the kind of collaborations we are used to. Both manufacturers use Alexa tech in a new way: controlling vehicle functions.
You could use Alexa to perform temperature adjustment, play music, or get directions to the point of interest, whether you're in the Rivian R1T electric pickup truck or the Lamborghini Huracan sports car.
These are all in addition to Alexa's usual features, such as making calls and linking to your multiple connected smart home devices.
Solar-Powered Cars
Currently, the benefits of adding solar panels into a vehicle's roof have been around for an extended time, and the technology's impact has been relatively limited.
You can bask in the sunshine juice in a Toyota Prius or Karma Revero these days, but their return on investment is insufficient.
But thanks to improvements in both efficiency and cost reductions, you can expect a lot more of this sunlight-capturing tech in the coming years.
Especially as cars load up on more and more power-sapping sensors for increasing levels of automation and even more material comforts that contribute to physical ease and well-being.
BMW ZeroG Lounger Seat
Called the ZeroG Lounger, this new chair can recline 40 or 60 degrees, but the seatbelt shifts with the passenger. Also, the seat's super safe. A cocoon-style airbag is deployed in case of a crash.
When the seat is reclined, a screen drops off the headliner and shows directional information. Combined with seat position, it can prevent motion sickness.
Conclusion
Production of cars in the future -whether they are autonomous, wired, electric, or a combination of all three - will be powered by cutting-edge technology.
The less time drivers spend 'driving,' the more time users will want to engage with onboard technology. As autonomous systems end up taking over, users demand greater user interactivity as they travel.
