Vehicles today are no more those risky transportation means they used to be half a century ago. Today, cars come equipped with the most modern features that make driving not only easier but also luxurious, safer, and comfortable.
Thanks to the ever-improving technology, automakers continue to develop better and improved features in each new model of their cars, thereby redefining our driving experience every day. However, it does not mean you can buy any vehicle you like on a classified site. You need a quick revs check report to identify the hidden issues it carries.
Today, we will have a look at some of the most promising technologies in the automotive industry that have caused motorists the most significant benefits. I bring you seven of the most sought-after car technologies for your security and entertainment.
Rear-mounted Radar
Reversing a car in the past was a difficult task. You had to crane your neck back, look left then right – all done simultaneously and quickly to avoid bumping into cross-traffic behind you. It, however, has been encountered by the rear-mounted radar – thanks to the ever-evolving automotive technology.
Though the rear-mounted detectors have been there for quite a while, recent technology has improved its functionality. Previously, these radars used to alert drivers if something unseen was directly behind their vehicles, such as a wall, a fence, or a tree.
Today, rear-mounted radars are more than that and alert drivers on approaching and cross traffic, sending out alarms for the driver to react. In the new Fords, the system is called the Cross-Traffic Alert, which alerts the driver for traffic as far as 15 yards away on the street behind him.
Pedestrian Detection
It is not uncommon while driving that pedestrians suddenly get into your way and become a source of major accidents. Thanks to the advancing technologies, we have reduced the menace of the pedestrian collision to a great extent.
Today, modern cars come equipped with a Pedestrian Detection system that detects pedestrians around the vehicle and alerts the driver to be careful. More advanced technologies also identify the direction of pedestrians’ movements and take automated measures to avoid a collision.
Many vehicles with a Pedestrian Detection System apply brakes automatically if a pedestrian suddenly falls in the driver’s way. Toyota developed a more advanced system – the pre-collision system with pedestrian detection (now part of Toyota Safety Sense) to minimize the chances of hitting an oncoming car, pedestrian, or bicyclist. When Volvo introduced this tech, it’s pedestrian detection system could also identify cyclists and other objects. Now, this is a part of the Volvo City Safety system.
Lane Departure Warning
Lane departure warning uses a simple camera that costs a few dollars, but it can save you thousands in crash repairs. The camera and processing software monitor how close the driver is to road surface markings.
It alerts you through steering wheel vibrations when you are about to drift out of the lane, except when it is done intentionally by using the indicator. This technology is further improving, with more components continually being added. New cars now use a Lane Keep Assist system where the vehicle automatically corrects its course if it gets close to the lane markings, which helps the vehicle to remain in the center of a lane.
The camera can recognize the lines on most types of roads, and it helps keep the vehicle within the lines. It identifies the road structure (white lines/yellow lines) and controls the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) according to the car’s driving situation. It eventually aids you to stay within your lane. These corrections are, however, subtle, and you can always overrule these changes by turning the wheel manually.
Lane departure warning can keep you centered for miles after miles, and is a vital system in self-driving cars.
GPS Vehicle Tracking
Vehicle tracking systems are one of the most popular auto technologies of today that have become essential for navigation. These systems use GPS (a satellite navigational system) technology that helps track the location of a car from any part of the world.
The vehicle tracking system is usually a small portable device fixed in an automobile, allowing you to conveniently track it through the internet or even a mobile phone. The GPS continually updates the location of the car every 10 seconds, so parents can now watch live on their computers as to where their children are heading.
It can also alert parents on their cell phones if the vehicle’s predetermined speed level surpasses or if the car enters/exits specific locations. Certain tracking devices can also be switched between vehicles, meaning you can use a single device for several vehicles.
The system has been specifically helpful in tracking stolen vehicles and eventually help in their recovery. Businesses that need to monitor their fleet are highly dependent on such systems.
360-Degree Camera or Surround View Camera
The camera is another essential safety device that you will find in most modern cars of today. They are mounted around the vehicle, unseen by the eyes, and are used to capture imagery to help in parking or pulling it out from parking.
Though in the past, these cameras were only found fixed on the rear side of the car, new technologies have led to the evolution of a 360-degree view with cameras set on all four sides. These cameras give a complete picture to the driver around their car and help them park in tight spots without craning his neck around.
Here are the ten new cars with 360-degree cameras. Precise distances are indicated by lines on the image the driver can see on their car’s screen. The system also gives out an alarm if the vehicle closes in on an unseen object during its maneuver.
Internet Radio
With long-distance traveling between one city and another, especially on jam-packed highways, radio becomes a kind of necessity for in-car entertainment. More often, people do not get time in their busy schedules to watch television, and listening to the radio while driving becomes their only source to catch up on the news.
However, with weak signal strength in many locations, one is left with only one option; the internet radio. Today, new cars are considered incomplete if their infotainment system does not include internet radio.
It allows drivers to listen to their favorite radio channels with a few strokes on the touch-screen of their cars without the need to fiddle around with launching apps on their cell phones.
That said, modern cars come with Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, Apple Carplay, etc., that make in-car entertainment effortless.
Integrated Vacuum Cleaner
Now, this final technology may sound like a joke to you, but it’s not. With changing times and advanced technologies needs as well as the way to tackle them have changed. Honda took an innovative measure a long time back.
With the help of Shop-Vac, the company developed an integrated vacuum cleaner built into Honda Odyssey minivan. The integrated vacuum cleaner (a.k.a in-car vacuum or built-in vacuum) allows you to tidy up around the van and outside as well. With integrated power, it does not require to be plugged in for use.
It can suck indefinitely if the engine’s running or for up to a particular time with the engine turned off. It is integrated within the rear cargo area and contains a replaceable filter and a canister bag, for easy rubbish disposal.
Now, if it is your kids who have littered the van or it is the dust in the floor mat you want to get rid of, the built-in vacuum cleaner will come as a great relief. The only unhappy side to this technology is, it is available only in a handful of minivans, leaving all others wanting it for their favorite vehicles.
