Looking Ahead: Upcoming Car Tech

If you hear the phrase car tech, you may think it seems like a Star Trek-style dream – but think again. There’s actually plenty of handy and up-to-date car technology coming up on the horizon that will find its way into the Average Joe’s vehicle. 

This has come after years of advancement, with some ‘fantasy tech’ from the movies now actually within the realms of reality, such as James Bond’s ability to control the car with his phone or the trash-fueled vehicle from Back to the Future, the latter of which is being created in Tokyo as we speak. 

So, let’s take a look at some upcoming trends in the world of obtainable car tech. 

6 car trends to get on board with

• Digital keys: We all know the importance of security, and digital keys offer this additional level of protection. Some select car manufacturers and vehicles are now using smartphones to act as digital keys. Using this technology, users can lock and unlock their cars remotely, as well as start the engine. Not only does this bolster security, for example when you have forgotten to lock the car, it will also make vehicle sharing much easier for fleets, families and rental companies. 

• Active suspension: Many of us have been victims of car sickness, and much of this is linked to road conditions but also vehicle suspension. This area of technology is improving all the time, and the ultimate goal of suspension is to become completely active – meaning that an on-board system will control the movement of the wheels in relation to the body, rather than being entirely at the mercy of the road condition. This will result in a much more pleasant (and less queasy) ride for everyone on board. 

• Vehicle exit warning systems: As drivers, our biggest priority is always safety, even when we’re getting out of our car – and exit warning systems are a new way to detect vehicles coming up from behind. Incoming people, bikes, vehicles can be sensed by the car itself and turn on warning lights. They can also be linked to door locking systems that prevent your car door from being opened until the oncoming vehicle has passed. 
• Smart steering wheel: Get to grips with steering, thanks to the arrival of smart steering wheels. The Chevrolet 2022 Bolt EUV Steering Wheel is due to land in the coming years, with the steering wheel itself changing colour depending on its function. For example, when the light turns green, drivers are able to remove their hands from the steering wheel for a self-driving experience. On the flip side, the wheel will turn red if you’re not paying attention! 
• Self-driving vehicles: If you’re nervous at the prospect of a self-driving car, you can relax more so in the knowledge that technology in this area has actually improved significantly over the past few years – and this trend is only set to continue. Even big brands, such as Nissan, have hinted at a desire to incorporate self-driving technology into their vehicles, such as guided lane changing and hands-off lane driving. This all contributes towards the aim of reducing driver fatigue and accidents – something we can all be grateful for. Self-driving vehicles work by incorporating a powerful combination of artificial intelligence, sensors and cameras to help the car complete certain actions, including driving, without the need for a human operator. It’s not quite ready yet, but it’s just around the corner.
• Augmented reality: Also known as AR, augmented reality is finding its unexpected way from the gaming world into our vehicles. Quite a few manufacturers are planning on introducing this technology into many of their car models by 2022, so be on the lookout. AR technology could assist drivers in accomplishing tasks including parking, navigation or even providing road safety alerts. The Panasonic Head-Up Display Technology is one example of a piece of AR software that’s coming soon, updating the windscreen to display information as you drive, including cyclist detection, your speed, the local speed limit and navigation capabilities – keeping it all in your eye line so you can stay more focussed on the road. 

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