Recent Automotive Innovations
The automotive industry is advancing every day and some of the innovations being made might just blow your mind. For the longest time, innovations with vehicles came almost entirely from the physical components such as the engine and body of the car. Today, we live in a world of rapidly developing electronics and complicated technology. It is this technology that has the ability to transform the way that people interact with vehicles and how those vehicles impact our lives.
The first innovation worth mentioning is the addition of autonomous driving. These are cars that have cameras and radar equipment to drive themselves down the road. All the driver has to do is tell the car where they want to go and the car will get them there. A fully working version of this technology has yet to make it to the masses but more and more companies are experimenting with the technology in their vehicles. Most notably, electric car company Tesla has had great success with implementing their “autopilot” technology into their cars. The incredible part of this technology in the case of Tesla is that all of their cars are built with the necessary components to make this self-driving possible. As the software is improved over time, it can be sent out to the cars and these updates can have major improvements in the lives of the people who drive the car every day.
Another great example of how cars are evolving is the level of connectivity they have. Cars have had features like built-in Wi-Fi for years now but it is the features that companies add from this that can be truly impressive. For example, many cars are now shipping with support for mobile app control. What this means is that the driver can control many aspects of the vehicle from their phone anywhere in the world. The driver could turn the car on, start the air conditioning, unlock the doors, and check vehicle status such as fuel levels. Car manufacturers are also getting good at putting GPS technology into their vehicles. This allows the owner to track the location of the car and shut down the engine at any point if they feel that it has been stolen.
The final innovation that should definitely be mentioned is the use of alternative fuel sources. Primarily regarding the use of electric cars. To be far, electric vehicles are not a new concept. In fact, the very first car ever made was electric. This was back in the late 1800s by a chemist experimenting with batteries. Modern electric vehicles are a good glimpse of what the future has in store for us. California recently passed a law that will make it illegal to sell gas-powered cars starting in 2035. Think about that, in just under 15 years it will be a crime to buy a gas-powered car in the most populated state in the U.S. This is a clear indication of where the automotive world is headed. Electric cars are undoubtedly getting better and they do have many benefits. First, they are insanely fast as a result of the instant power that electricity brings. They do not directly pollute the air as a result of their lack of exhaust systems. They are generally very comfortable as well. They are quiet, smooth, and often leave the driver feeling relaxed.
Moral of the story; cars are quickly becoming advanced pieces of technology and they are advancing at a rapid rate. As consumers, all we can do is hope that manufacturers will keep the best interests of their customers in mind and continue to improve their products. Regardless, most will agree that the next decade should be an exciting time to sit back and watch what kind of new innovations make it out to the masses. It most definitely will be an exciting ride.