Ten ways tech has revolutionised automotive industry
By People Reporter, July 1, 2020Nowadays, automakers are going out of their way to integrate new technology with the machines in a bid to attract more buyers. Adalla Allan looks at some advancements driving the car industry forward.
1. Developed night vision
Besides reckless driving, compromised night visibility is one of the biggest hazards when driving.
However, automakers have lately come up with a solution to this, as they are now equipping vehicles with LED (light-emitting diode) lights.
The metamorphosis was first initiated by the 4.2-litre V8 Audi R8 car model in 2006.
LED headlights produce up to three times more light than their predecessor—the halogen bulbs, and project further and clearer.
The science behind this is that halogen bulbs waste 80 per cent of their energy by generating excessive heat.
LEDs, on the other hand, spend 80 per cent of the energy consumed creating light and only 20 per cent creating heat. This is also the reason as why the LED lights last long.
2. Fuel economy and efficiency
A number of fuel-guzzling brands have lately been going bankrupt and shutting down their production as people boycott buying them.
For instance, the Hummer brand from the America’s General Motor Company brought its production to a halt in 2010, after a buyers’ boycott.
It was claimed the offroad V8 H2 beast could consume a whole four litres of petrol in just one kilometer and that it was a big polluter of the environment.
But GMC is planning to revive its production in 2021 as an electric car. The environmentally friendly electric and Hybrid cars are now taking the globe by a storm.
3. Improved drive systems
Nothing makes a driver get attached to a car than the feeling of being certain that their car can maneuver any terrain.
The four-wheel-drive system, which has become a signature of all SUVs, made this feasible. Succeeding the two-wheel drive, the 4WD was made popular in 1980s by the Audi Quattro sedan car, when Audi was on its pursuit to join the luxurious German marques bandwagon.
Similarly, we have the all-wheel drive system (AWD), which is a mark of every Subaru. Their difference is slight.
The AWD has become an accepted description for a car that drives all of the wheels, all of the time, while the 4WD is generally accepted as a car or a larger Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) that uses a driver selectable system that mechanically engages the drive to all four wheels.
4. Safety add-ons
We have seen a massive transformation in the safety technologies introduced in cars during the 21st Century.
It is quite outrageous of how the ancient cars didn’t have the airbags, seat belts, child locks, brake assists, GPS and power steering, among other safety features. Petrolheads used to term it ‘you die like a man’.
But with time, we have experienced a massive change in the casualty avoidance measures. These days, everything has gone electric including the steering itself.
Cars are also being fitted with airbags and sensors on all corners, which aid the brake assistants whenever there is danger.
The safety belts are not exempted, thanks to the Swedish Volvo motors company, which introduced the technology to the motor world in the 90s.
5. Autonomous technology
Also known as self-driving car, this feature makes a vehicle capable of sensing its environment and moving safely with little or no human input.
The alcoholic drivers have clearly found a better reason to believe their long told opinion that their cars ‘know the way home’.
6. Comfortability
Comfort and that luxurious feeling is the heart of every new car. Like every other aspect of a car, each manufacturer does things a little bit differently, both to engineer the best system and to create a brand-specific experience for the user.
Automakers have revamped the infotainment system with every interior of the recent cars going digital.
Some latest car models have touchpad that can recognise handwriting, serve as navigation, entertainment and the central controller of every feature in the car.
Others have adopted a dual-screen setup, with a lower screen taking the place of most analogue controls. They also come with massage-heated seats with auto-adjust capabilities.
7. Digital connectivity
The compatibility of smartphone apps with cars is a clear evidence of how phones have transformed everything in the modern world.
Most carmakers today render a connected smartphone app, some of which are better than others.
The most practical ones are those that let you lock and unlock doors, check the status of fuel and tyre pressure, and even start the car remotely to let the engine warm-up on cold mornings.
BMW and Apple rolled out the technology called Carplay, where you don’t need a cable to connect your iPhone to the car when listening to music or show your maps on your actual car display.
8. Automatic transmission
Manual transmission is going extinct, as some companies such as Ferrari recently announced they had ended the manual transmission production.
I would be lying if I don’t say that automatic transmission cars are simple to drive.
The driver only needs one leg to ride, focussing only on the direction, the accelerator and the brakes; unlike the manual gearbox where you add on other tasks such as engaging the gear while stepping on the full clutch.
However, the automatic gearbox repair is comparatively costly to fix up when damaged. Moreover, it is believed that stopping a manual car is manageable when the brakes fail at an emergency.
9. User interactivity
Cars have become complex interactive machines. Computerised controls and electrical systems have transformed into the digital world.
It is common that drivers operate a vehicle and, at the same time, interact with a variety of devices and applications.
Texting while driving, looking up the direction for the navigation system, and taking a phone call are just some common instances that add value to the driver, but again increase the risk of driving.
With technologies that assist the user in driving, such as assistive cruise control, car view cameras helping to view blind spots, lane-keeping and parking assistants, the user interface is essential to the way people perceive the driving experience.
10. Security
The rate of car theft has massively reduced worldwide as automakers have outperformed the thieves through the improvement of car security features.
Keyless entry, keyless start and stop systems, alarms and warning systems are all illustrations of ever-developing security systems in cars. Not long ago, cars didn’t even have central locking.
These days, mobile tracking allows you to monitor your car wherever it is and this has been a big breakthrough to public transport and logistics firms as they are able to track their vehicles wherever they are.
Apple and BWM are also working on the Carkey feature where you will be able to ignite and unlock your car through your iPhone.