Millions of people purchase new vehicles every day and hit the road for the first time. These vehicles can vary from motorcycles, and cars, to railed vehicles.
The more we drive our vehicles, the more they will likely get worn out. Of course, like how the study of medicine discovers the cure to human diseases, it’s the function of automotive technology to improve vehicle safety, efficiency, and performance.
Automotive technology has evolved through the years, and we should expect to see more progress in the coming years. In this article, let’s explore the future of automotive technology in 2023 and the coming years.
Advances in Vehicle Safety
One of automotive technology’s major roles is to ensure the safety and security of vehicles, minimizing their risk of traffic collisions on the road. In terms of vehicle safety, here are the current trends made possible by modern technology.
Autonomous Driving Technology
Driverless cars or self-driving vehicles are one of the recent developments today. We have come to the point where cars won’t need human drivers to operate them safely. They can be expensive, but through flexible and affordable financing options like Auto loans, you can now achieve your dream of owning a self-driving car.
Autonomous cars can navigate the road and sense their environment. They are now in demand in the market. They can solve parking-related issues which happen frequently. Plus, it cuts fuel consumption and frees up more time for owners to spend on other activities like relaxing, shopping, and working, among many other pursuits.
Usage of Artificial Intelligence in Vehicles
Artificial intelligence (AI) has penetrated many industries. In the growing field of automotive technology, AI has intercepted the conventional design, production, and usage of vehicles. For instance, AI-powered wearable exoskeletons boost car comfort and promote safety. AI is also helpful in predictive maintenance and notifications, where you can now monitor engine and battery performance without regularly checking them.
Driver Monitoring Systems
Also known as a driver attention monitor, driver monitoring systems ensure the driver is always focused on the road. It’s a camera-based safety monitoring system that alerts or warns drivers when they become drowsy or inattentive to the road. This way, potential road accidents can be avoided.
Electric Vehicles
In 2032, the Global Electric Motor Market is expected to grow to around $249.6 billion. Powered by electric motors, electric vehicles are new developments that use electricity to charge their batteries rather than diesel or petrol. Since you won’t have to buy gas, you can save more with an electric vehicle.
Moreover, you can also reduce maintenance costs with an efficient electric motor. The annual expenses that you have to spend on the maintenance and repair of an electric motor are significantly low compared to regular vehicles with multiple moving parts.
Electric vehicles are also quiet. It means you can help lessen the noise pollution in the environment. Plus, electric vehicles are easy to use since they don’t have complex controls. You need to be familiar with only three primary functions: steer, brake, and accelerate.
Connected Vehicles
With connected vehicles or cars, vehicle-to-vehicle communication is now possible. This technology lets you share essential information like road conditions, traffic movement, and speed limits.
In addition, these vehicles are connected to the internet, enabling them to share an internet connection with devices inside the vehicle. The vehicle can perform specific functions through an internet connection and download data per the user’s request.
Moreover, you can also control all of the vehicle functions through an application. From there, you can remotely access functions such as opening the sunroof, engine start and stop, locking and unlocking the door, and climate control, among many others.
Sustainability
Consumers are now conscious about their carbon footprint more than ever. Since they are aware of the alarming statistics on pollution and other environmental issues, automotive technology continuously works on researching sustainable solutions to address the growing concerns of our environment.
Also, new environmental regulations promoting a more sustainable world prompted automotive technology to develop renewable alternatives.
These developments include alternative fuels that reduce carbon emissions. These alternative fuels include biodiesel for diesel vehicles, electricity for electric vehicles, ethanol for flex-fuel vehicles, and hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles, among many others.
Challenges to Overcome
As we transform cars into more valuable possessions, little do we know we also face different risks. For instance, since we’re leveraging the internet in connected vehicles, we are also more exposed to cybersecurity risks.
In addition, as we upload and download different kinds of data to and from the internet, we should also be warned about privacy concerns. Advanced engineering guarantees that newer cars are safer cars.
As a potential user of these new technologies, make sure to take necessary precautions, like being extra careful with what you share with third-party companies like the applications used in connected vehicles.
Conclusion
The developments in automotive technology that we have mentioned here are gaining momentum. The industry’s visible progress will surely change how we use and interact with cars.
With the transformative technology-driven trends promoting connectivity and sustainability, automotive technology is expected to thrive in the coming years, making driving a convenient experience for many.