The Car Technology That Will Dominate 2015
One of the most exciting aspects of new cars is the technology they bring with them. With every new concept car, we get a rare glimpse into the future. We start to get a sense of what the technology in our vehicles will be able to do. Some of it is simply mind blowing. Much of it is inspired from science fiction films. Self-driving cars and augmented reality have previously been the realm of sci-fi. Now it all coming to fruition in real life.
The best way to predict this technology is to look at concept cars. They are the prototypes and designs created by manufacturers to show us the future. They unveil new concepts and ideas that could inspire the driving of the future. The other place to spot important technological advancements is to look at high end vehicles. Looking at the cream of the crop helps get a sense of what will trickle down to everyday driving. Finally, glancing towards the racing world always gives us an indication of the future. Most modern car technology is derived from developments made in Formula 1, for example.
A big change is coming in car technology. We are on the verge of a fundamental shift. For a hundred years, cars have been powered by oil or petrol. Only now are we watching a complete change to more efficient means. At the same time, the internet is slowly creeping into our cars. It has taken a while, but the possibilities here are endless. We’re on the edge of a serious motoring shift. Let’s take a look at the car technology that is becoming commonplace in 2015.
Internet connection
Wifi and 4G is fast becoming standard to all cars new to the market. Considering that the internet is 25 years old, it seems strange that it has taken so long. Our cars are the last internet-free space in our lives. But, not for long. With the inclusion of wifi as standard, we are opening up new realms of possibility. Our cars will seamlessly connect with our smartphones and other life accessories. They will become smart. They’ll navigate themselves and automatically look for alternative routes. They’ll access our music libraries and information to tailor our journeys.
Self drive aids
One of the biggest, and most controversial, new technologies in motoring is the self driving car. We’re still unsure about how far this technology will go. The only limit at the moment are governmental laws. The technology has been fully developed. Cars have been tested all over America with complete self-driving technology. However, laws have not yet caught up. Despite that, plenty of new cars off the production line have some sort of self-drive capabilities. Some will reverse park themselves automatically. Others have self-drive ‘aids’ that will nudge you back in the right lane or automatically swerve to avoid crashes. This technology is creeping in slowly.
Digital dashboards
Audi are setting the commercial tone with digital dashboards. Others are already following suit. Instead of analogue dials, the entire dashboard display will soon be digitised and customisable. The new Audi TT, for example, allows you to shrink and enlarge dials like the rev counter or speedo. Volvo are already implementing this technology too. This will soon be standard at car dealerships and on www.harratts.co.uk.
V2V
The acronym stands for ‘vehicle to vehicle’ and essentially means that cars will communicate. This will be one huge advantage of internet connected motors. Our cars will send out signals, and pick up those from others. It will detect if one car is driving erratically. For example, if you’re at a crossing and an adjacent car isn’t slowing for a red light, you car will know. It will take evasive procedures to avoid a crash. They will also learn about traffic problems and navigation from others around them.
Augmented reality
Now, this one really is rooted in science fiction. Augmented reality is the process by which additional information is displayed to the driver. This will pop up on the windscreen and relate specifically to the world around you. For example, it could be used for navigational purposes. An arrow may pop up on your windscreen pointing to the exact road you ought to take. It may also be used to show extra information about a town. Some cars are even using augmented reality to portray a ghost car in front of you. You simply follow it as a navigational tool.
Hybrid technology taking over
2015 will be the year where hybrid technology truly takes off. While the infamous Toyota Prius has been around for ten years, the efficiency is finally at a sustainable level. The power and efficiency finally make sense. Hybrid cars can travel further, go faster and still keep costs down. When you consider that the fastest road car around the Nurburgring is a hybrid, it’s time to accept the change. We are now seeing supercars and SUVs coming with hybrid engines as standard. In 2015, hybrid is the new normal.
Hydrogen fuel cell cars
Just as the hybrid engines take over, another technology poises itself to be next in line. Hydrogen fuel cell cars are even more efficient, emitting only water. Converting the hydrogen into electricity, they use nothing but an electric motor to power them. The first hydrogen road cars are being released in America in 2015. It’s yet another fundamental shift in driving. It will be another decade before they are commonplace, but it is another new start.
External airbags
We all understand the virtues of airbags within our cars. They have saved countless lives. In 2015, the technology will go one step further and reach to the outside of our cars. External airbags will deploy before a crash in order to slow the car down faster. It will help minimise collision impact and help save even more lives.
The future is now. All of the concepts we never dreamed could be reality are already in development. Cars that communicate with each other and cars that drive themselves. Vehicles that are entirely emissions free and cars that create their own energy. It’s exciting and inspiring stuff. We can’t wait to see what’s next.
