New car technology is continually improving. Car manufacturers spend huge sums of money to provide their customers with the latest gadgets and features.
Many of these features are aimed at providing a safer driving experience, giving the driver greater control and to help reduce running costs.
The four new car technology examples below have been particularly important in giving the driver a hassle free driving experience. As well as, reducing the number of accidents on the road.
New car technology examples
Rear-view parking
The most basic form of parking assist technology is rear-view parking assistance. It has been on the market for quite some time now, and most new vehicles will have some form of the system implemented.
Reversing a car can be difficult – Depending on the type of car, you may not be able to clearly identify the back of the car or have an unobstructed view of what’s behind you. Rear-view parking technology is a fantastic tool that gives vital assistance when reversing.
What is rear-view parking technology?
There are different types of rear-view parking assistance. The most basic will simply involve a set of sensors on the rear and side of your car that detect solid objects. It will emit an intermittent tone that gets louder and/or faster as you get closer to an object. (Another car or a wall, for example.)
More advanced systems will still involve sensors but may also show a display on your dashboard with a diagram of your car that shows warning lines as you get closer to an object. This gives you a visual display together with a sound and increases your awareness of hazards when reversing.
Rear-view parking assistance is a really useful form of technology and will have prevented many small accidents or bumps. Furthermore, it really helps if you have limited mobility and cannot turn your body properly to look over your shoulder or have slower breaking reactions.
Assisted parking
One step further than simple rear-view parking technology is the assisted or intelligent parking systems. Parking can often be a cause of accidents if people lose concentration or don’t cope well under the pressure of parking in a tight spot.
Of course, some cars are difficult to park due to the shape and angles of the vehicles body. If you are not confident parking, then this technology should provide huge benefits.
What is Assisted Parking technology?
This new car technology doesn’t actually park the car for you! An advanced computer with high processing power connected to a system of cameras and sensors around your car will maneuver the car into an open space for you. (Provided that you initially line the car up and give the all clear.)
Toyota first developed this system, and other manufacturers followed suit, and it’s now an optional feature on many vehicles. For people who struggle with parking under pressure, or for people who do not have the reactions that they used too, assisted parking is a fine feature indeed.
Blind spot alert
This kind of technology is not as widely employed, but is steadily becoming more commonplace. One major cause of road accidents is from drivers straying into other lanes or driving into the side of a car that is in their blind spot.
No matter how hard we concentrate, or how alert we are, there may simply be an instance where you just don’t see the car approaching your side. Blind spot technology looks to prevent these occurrences.
What is blind spot technology?
Basically this is a detection system mounted to the sides of your car that either uses cameras or electromagnetic waves to monitor if another vehicle is straying too close to you or vice versa. If it detects an imminent collision, it will give a warning in the form of either a loud noise or flashing lights to prompt the driver to take action.
This is new car technology is a great preventative measure and is especially useful for those who may be prone to lapses of concentration.
Drowsy-driver alert
One of the highest causes of road accidents in the world is due to fatigue and tiredness. Up to 20% of road accidents are caused because of this, and on some roads up to 50%. This is a staggering figure.
Car manufacturers have taken note of this fact and started developing “drowsy-driver” technology to combat fatigue-related accidents. Governments in certain countries are implementing awareness campaigns with the aim of warning drivers about the negative consequences of driving when tired. You may have seen the billboards and television advertisements.
What is a drowsy-driver system?
There are many forms of the system. However, the basic premise is that your driving patterns and vital signs will be monitored. And, if any signs of fatigue appear that could cause problems, an alert will be given such as a loud warning signal. The different types of detection include:
- Driver eye/face monitoring: requires cameras to track eye movements and facial recognition.
- Lane positioning Monitoring: Detects if your car keeps straying into other lanes.
- Steering Pattern: Detects and erroneous steering movements associated with sleep or fatigue.
- Psychological Monitoring: Detects changes in things like brain activity and heart rate.
As you can see, new car technology is becoming quite advanced. Manufacturers, such as BMW and Volkswagen, are actively using it in their vehicles.
These technologies are extremely useful for those long tiring journeys where your concentration may lapse. As well as, for those later years in life when you may become tired easier.
These four new car technology examples have greatly improved the safety and usability of many cars on the road. It is clear to see why car manufacturers are pushing their development. Road safety is a high priority in many countries. And, any technology that can improve your driving experience and safety is welcomed by all.
