7 Recent Advancements in Automobile Tech

With all the technological advancements that have been made in the auto industry, it’s surprising that we’re not already taking our daily commute in flying cars. From improved entertainment features to safety enhancements, driving in 2019 is better than ever thanks to these 7 recent advancements in automobile tech.

1. Better Mobile Connectivity

Have you heard about the Internet of Things? Basically, the Internet of Things refers to how all our devices are becoming interconnected thanks to the internet. For example, you might have a virtual assistant device at home that can connect to your thermostat, cloud storage, and coffee maker. In 2019, we’ve seen more cars take on IoT technology.

There are lots of vehicles that enable you to use your smartphone to track down your car if it gets stolen, and that also allows you to wirelessly check the maintenance status. Some vehicles even enable you to power on your car to get the A/C or heater going (great for very hot or cold days). In the near future, you’ll be able to perform more and more vehicle functions on your mobile device.

2. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

More vehicles are being outfitted to work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both of these programs enable you to display your iPhone or Android on the vehicle display so you can easily access all your apps, like Spotify, Netflix, and Maps. It’s one of the most intuitive ways to control entertainment and navigation features in your car, not to mention sending and receiving calls.

You’ll be a lot safer on the road because you can just use your vehicle’s display to access your apps—you can tuck your phone away so you won’t be distracted while you’re driving. Expect this to be one of the most commonly implemented features in new cars.

3. Adaptive Cruise Control

Adaptive cruise control is one of the most advanced new technologies on the market. Standard cruise control enables your vehicle to cruise along at a singular pace. Adaptive cruise control enables you to do the same thing, but it’s also responsive to traffic—if you’re coming up on a vehicle in your lane, the adaptive cruise control system will automatically slow your car down so you won’t have to step on the brakes. This is a great system for driving in traffic, and it should also reduce wear-and-tear on your brakes.

4. Electronic Driver Logs

Electronic driver logs are most helpful for business owners who own a fleet of vehicles. Electronic logs allow fleet managers to monitor how many hours and miles a driver logs in a single vehicle. They also track the route that a vehicle takes so business vehicles aren’t used for non-business purposes. While this technology might not be very helpful for the standard consumer, it’s a godsend for business owners who have vehicles of contractor or delivery work.

5. Rear and Side Traffic Alert

Vehicles are increasingly being outfitted with systems that can prevent you from accidentally hitting pedestrians. One of the most common alert systems is the Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, which alerts you when you’re backing up and there’s an oncoming pedestrian—this is incredibly helpful when you’re backing out of a parking space.

Another great alert system is one designed to prevent you from opening the door when there’s a cyclist about to pass by, a great feature for when you’ve just parallel parked. This alert system is designed to work for several minutes after the car shuts off, and it’ll give you a warning if there’s a cyclist about to pass by the vehicle so you won’t open your door and accidentally hit them.

6. Auto Emergency Braking

Auto Emergency Braking is an automatic braking system that’s employed if your vehicle senses you’re about to be in a collision (which it determines using your speed and sensors). This is a last-resort safety feature only, but these last-second brakes could be the difference between life and death if you’re about to be in a collision at fast speeds.

7. Lane Departure Warning

A Lane Departure Warning is an audible alert that lets you know when you’re drifting out of your lane—another potential lifesaver if you’re drifting into oncoming traffic. This is a very effective tool in preventing accidents, so it may become a vehicle safety requirement in the future.

With safety improvements like that, it shouldn’t be too long before insurance coverage gets cheaper (ha—like that’ll ever happen).