Well, it's 2016, and we still don’t have a ready supply of flying hoverboards.
However, we are seeing an increase in car technology. Remember when cell phone technology was first being implemented in cars? Now these functions are standard features in almost every auto on the market today.
This is a great sign that car technology will continue to improve and become reality at a very rapid rate. Here’s a look at some of the most fascinating (and useful) automotive technology features to look forward to!
Autonomous Car Functions
Cars nowadays can already perform some autonomous functions (automatic actions without the driver’s control). These include automatic braking and automatic parking. Fully autonomous cars probably won’t be available until 2020 (which, in the car world, is not that far away). However, in the upcoming months and years, we should see additional progress in preexisting autonomous car technology, as well as brand new developments. Experts predict that nearly all cars should come equipped with autonomous braking by the year 2022.
Various Safety-Related Features
At the moment, we’re seeing a ton of research and development being put into various safety-related technology enhancements. You may have already seen a lot of them in television commercials and internet ads. A lot of these involve some sort of autonomous technology as well. Some fascinating safety features in the works include:
- Hands off "doze control": Driver override if the car senses both hands off the wheel
- Health vital signs monitors: For instance, seat belts that sense the driver’s heart rate
- Driver override systems/ Remote shut-down: For instance, if the driver has a medical emergency, or if there is a police chase)
We can continue to expect a whole host of safety-related technology in every aspect of driving and vehicle operation. This will include safer restraint and airbag systems, and other features.
HUD
“HUD” stands for “Heads-Up Display”. This refers to information displays that are integrated right on the car’s windshield rather than on the dashboard. This allows the driver to get informational feedback such as speed, engine information, and even navigating directions (turn arrows) without having to take their eyes off of the road. HUD was first applied to fighter jets like the F/A-18 Hornet (the Blue Angel’s traditional jet), but now it’s being added to cars.
Biometric Vehicle Access
Remember when Biff from the Back to the Future series said, “Nobody can start this car but me"? Even though it was the 1950s, that reality is coming true. Biometric vehicle access will allow owners to forgo old-school key units and instead use other entry/start methods. These will likely involve fingerprint technology similar to that already being used for cell phones. While an eye retina scan would be cool and James-Bond-like, we’re not sure how practical that would be in an everyday ride.
Adaptable Car Paneling
Imagine if you could refigure your car’s body panels to create a new look for your car at the touch of a button, transformer-style? Developers are researching adjustable car paneling. These can have both aesthetic and performance-related purposes. Pretty soon, everyone might own both a sports car and a truck, all in one vehicle!
You may notice many of these technology upgrades involve safety. Once safety features become standardized, who knows what bounds car technology could reach.
In the meantime, be sure to keep your eye out for the latest technology, and make sure you’re keeping your current car in working order. Stop by Convoy Auto Repair, San Diego’s favorite auto repair shop if you need regular maintenance or a complete car-check up. Our team of certified professionals uses the latest technology to help keep your car running in tip-top shape.