If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, there’s plenty to get excited about. Over the last several years car manufacturers have introduced a range of useful technology, to improve your experience on the roads. To get a taste of what’s in store, let’s take a look at some of the new automotive tech for 2021 and beyond.
- Self Driving Features
For the last few years, we’ve all heard the rumors about self-driving cars. However, there’s still a long way to go before we can expect to see fully autonomous cars on the roads. Research from Cars.com discovered that ‘just 14% of drivers would trust a self-driving car.’ Regardless, many self-driving features can enhance the driving experience.
Many modern vehicles are fitted with features such as lane-center steering or adaptive cruise control. Lane centering steering supports a vehicle to stay centered within the correct driving lane. The driver assistance system monitors where the vehicle is (in comparison to the lane markings) and makes the correct adjustments.
Adaptive cruise control helps vehicles to automatically slow down or speed up, allowing the vehicle to automatically keep up with the traffic. You might have also heard this feature called active cruise control, or intelligent cruise control.
2 . Hydrogen cars
A hydrogen car is a type of electric car, these cars generate power using reactions between oxygen and hydrogen. The idea is to combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and water. Many experts believe that hydrogen cars will increase in popularity over the next few years. Water is the only waste that comes out of the tailpipe, and these vehicles reduce your carbon footprint. The air filters are used to draw in air, (whether it’s clean air or polluted air).
The hydro car concept has been around for a while, but it’s only fairly recently that these cars have been released. For example, the Toyota Mirai is a popular model this year. It’s hydrogen-powered with plenty of desirable features, including a panoramic view monitor, heated seats, BSM, and alloy wheels in silver.
There are plenty of advantages to hydrogen powered cars, these fuel cells offer improved energy efficiency compared to several other energy sources. According to TWI Global, ‘a conventional combustion-based power plant generates electricity at 33-35% efficiency compared to up to 65% for hydrogen fuel cells.’ Hydrogen-powered cars can be charged quickly, offering a quiet and smooth driving experience.
- Exit Warning
Exit warning systems are a car safety feature to keep cyclists and drivers safe on the roads. These systems use sensors to monitor oncoming cyclists and traffic. Collisions are common when a driver opens a car door without looking. An exit warning system can also be helpful to detect these types of collisions. Once the engine has been switched off the exit warning sensors can be used to detect approaching cars or cyclists.
- Automatic Emergency Braking
AEB works by detecting the possibility of a crash, if a collision is imminent, the vehicle will turn on the braking system, preventing an accident, or reducing the damage. One of the best things about AEB is that these systems can react more quickly than the driver. Many of the top manufacturers have decided to make AEB a standard car safety feature.
- Teen Driver System
General Motor vehicles offer a new type of technology called ‘Teen Driver’. The feature was designed to keep younger drivers safe on the roads and provide their parents with peace of mind. The system can send alerts if the vehicle is driving over a set speed, and the audio automatically switches off when seat belts aren’t being used. Parents can access teen driving reports which can tell if certain systems have been activated, for example a forward-collision. If you’re getting a new car, and you have teens in the family, this is a great feature to look out for.
- Blind Spot Tech
Blind Spot View is a screen which can show driver’s which objects and vehicles are on each side of the car. Drivers can view the screen when they are about to change lanes. The BSV uses cameras placed on each side of the vehicle.
BSM systems are used to notify the driver of any vehicles that they are unable to see in their side-view mirrors. Simply put, the tech can stop a vehicle from crashing into a car in the adjacent lane. Drivers still need to check over their shoulder, and in their mirrors, however, BSM can offer a safer drive.
- Activity Key
Activity keys are a type of tech wristband, used to open your vehicle. All you have to do is position the band at a certain place on the door. The activity key from Jaguar was one of the first to offer keyless vehicle access. Similarly, BMW is providing consumers with digital keys, accessed through an iPhone.
- AR Driving
Augmented Reality tech is used to offer drivers virtual test drives. AR is also used to project info onto the driver’s windscreen, for example, instructions, or speed info. AR is usually offered in the form of HUDS, these systems allow the drivers to view important info while keeping their eyes on the roads. Distracted driving is the cause of many accidents, and with the use of HUDs, drivers can ensure that they are paying attention.
There are many more car safety features available whether it’s a rear view camera, a tire pressure monitoring system or electronic stability control. Keeping safe on the roads is incredibly important, and there are many tech features which can help to keep drivers safe.
As you can see there are so many new types of technology, tech like this can help people to stay safe on the roads, and access an improved driving experience. In 2022 we can look forward to a huge range of impressive vehicles, for example, the new Ford Maverick pickup. To learn more about this eco-friendly vehicle, take a look at Riley Ford.
