Technology is expanding into almost every aspect of our world. So, it’s no surprise that it’s more present than ever inside our cars. From devices that locate lost keys to Bluetooth that connects our phones to our cars, technological advancements are a luxury that aim to make driving easier and more enjoyable.
However, as technology continues to evolve, these advancements are becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity, with many claiming to improve car safety and reduce risk on the roads. The link between technology and driving is a controversial one - self-driving cars spring to mind – but just how much can we expect technology to change the way we drive?
You only need to compare a car from the 1950s to one from today to see the significant impact technology has already had on driving. Power steering was only introduced in the late fifties, and the first passenger airbag wasn’t installed into cars until the 1970s, highlighting how ‘new’ technology can become an essential feature of all cars.
While modern day technology can often be seen as more of a novelty, it seems some gadgets are becoming ingrained into our everyday driving. Satnavs are now an integral part of UK driving tests, with learner drivers having to prove their ability to independently follow direction from navigational devices. This signals that the days of following a roadmap are over, with technology becoming intrinsic to how we get from A to B.
"It's only natural that we'll soon see other technologies appearing inside our cars".
With satnavs staking their claim as an essential part of driving, it’s only natural that we’ll soon see other technologies appearing inside our cars, each with their own unique benefits. Telematics is one particular area that has extended rapidly, with more people than ever taking out telematics insurance policies.
This means insurers can now check how safely we’re driving and price our insurance premiums accordingly, as well as allowing us to track our own driving. While telematics is still optional, many car manufacturers have already begun to install similar monitoring devices into their products. This shows that telematics continues to grow – and may soon become a standard element of our driving.
Telematics isn’t the only area that appears to be increasing. Dashcams – cameras which film the road around you as you drive – can influence premiums from some insurers. Many will accept dashcam footage as part of a claim, making dashcams a tool for establishing fault following an accident. This is perhaps why they’ve become so popular – might this be the next ‘legal’ requirement we see introduced into our cars?
Of course, technology can also have a negative effect on our driving. We all know too well the dangers of WhatsApping behind the wheel. However, new innovations may provide a solution for this as well. Artificial intelligence is an area that has picked up speed, with voice-recognition devices becoming commonplace in our homes and cars.
As this technology continues to grow, it’s plausible that these systems will be able to tell us when we’re driving dangerously or when there are risks ahead, making the driving experience safer.
"There's already buzz around introducing augmented reality into our cars".
It’s not just voice recognition that can help to keep our eyes on the road, there’s also been speculation about the use of technology on our windscreens. Augmented reality is currently reserved mainly for video games, but there’s already buzz around introducing this into our cars.
This means vital information currently stored on our dashboard – like petrol level and speed – could be shown electronically on our windscreens, leaving little excuse to be distracted on the road. Further to this, augmented reality could also aid our driving by virtually placing cornering line and braking distances onto the road for drivers to follow, making the road a safer place.
Whether or not you choose to equip your car with parking sensors or dashcams is up to you for now, but there’s no telling as to whether we’ll see some of these features become a requirement for all cars. Only one thing is for sure: car manufacturers will continue to develop new technologies for their vehicles.
Correct at the time of publication. Information in this article has been gathered from various sources, therefore WiseDriving cannot be held responsible for any view or opinion expressed herein.
Photo by Serge Kutuzov on Unsplash
