Right now it feels like driving a car could not possibly get any better. Manufacturers are in constant competition to create a car that speaks to the consumer of today.
Using innovative built-in features, mini computers and optional extra’s
that all appeal to a new generation of tech-minded car buyers, the
automotive industry has never looked better.
Most petrol heads will undoubtedly argue that this technology has
changed the motoring industry for the better, new car sales at are at a
high in the UK, and they just keep growing. Maps have become all but
archaic documents that tell a tale of roads that once were whilst we are
now guided by satellite navigation to our destination. These same
devices are even about to be used by driving schools in UK driving
tests, as examiners feel that the testing procedure should be more on
course for the way that we drive on the roads today.
The question that must be asked, of course, is: “has car technology
improved our motoring habits for the better”? Are we a safer nation of
drivers with all of this technological advancement around us? I’m going
to take a brief look at some of the more popular technologies out there
and review how, or if, they really are improving safety on our roads.
1. Vehicular Communication Systems (V2V)
V2V technology is a system which has been designed to transmit basic
safety information between passing vehicles. This technology helps to
assist drivers by warning them of impending car crashes. Its been about
for over 10 years in one form or another, however there are still a
significant number of crashes on the road as this technology has been
slow to become popular. This could easily be addressed in the future
through a more expanded use and further advanced crash avoidance
technologies.
2. GPS Vehicle Tracking
With a combination of GPS and on-board diagnostics, a car can map and
record exactly where it is, how fast it’s traveling and how it’s
performing. The GPS tracking device is most usually hardwired to the
inside of the vehicle, connected to the ignition switch, battery and
antennae.
Vehicle tracking technology has become most popular amongst fleet
operators, hauling and logistics companies because its primary uses are
to track a vehicle and monitor driving events. So if a vehicle is
stolen, with the aid of a mobile tracking device, police cars can often
pinpoint an exact location, even if the car happens to be hidden in a
garage somewhere hundreds of miles away.
3. In-Car Camera’s
In the event of a motoring accident, most of us are often hesitant to
admit guilt and willingly give up our no claims bonus. However, with
the use of this increasingly popular car technology, it begins to become
more apparent to everyone involved who was at fault. Because of this,
more motorists than ever before are considering popular in-car camera
options in an effort to combat illegitimate claims made against them, by
people such as “crash for cash” fraudsters.
4. Self-Driving Cars
Self-Driving cars involve use of autonomous technology within
(mainly) electric vehicles. Google have become to be known as the
pioneers of driver less cars, unveiling their first prototype in May
2014. The battery has a range of about 100 miles and the car uses a
combination of technology such as; GPS, radar, lasers and cameras to
monitor everything happening around the vehicle. The software (named
‘Google Chauffeur’) is capable of recognizing road markings, road signs,
traffic lights and even pedestrians. It can even detect hazards in the
road and maneuver safely around them. Google are not the only company
working on this technology though, Tesla also have and they stated that
although achieving 99% success was easy, they needed to achieve
99.9999%. A hacker named George Hotz has also been locked away for a
couple of years working on his autonomous driving project, Comma.ai.
That’s not to say that self-driving cars haven’t had their fare share
of shortcomings either though. One current major problem being that the
Department of Motor Vehicles, in the USA, are having trouble deciding
how to test self-driving vehicles for certification on public roads.
5. Rear Mounted Radar
If you have ever backed your car into a pole, another car, a person
or just about any other obstacle often discovered hovering around the
rear of your vehicle when reversing, then you’ll understand why
rear-mounted radar technology has become as popular as it has in recent
years. So popular, that most car manufacturers have a rear-mounted radar
built-in to the vehicle. This simple technology works by scanning the
area directly behind the car and giving you an alert, or if you have a
dashboard monitor, an image. The radars can also detect traffic
approaching the rear of your vehicle, and if you are reversing, it will
sound an alert to warn you of an impending collision.
6. Airbags That Stop Cars
Ever since the first airbags were manufactured for vehicles circa
1994, they have slowly moved themselves around our cars like an overly
large fidgety child trying to get comfortable in its own skin. We have
dashboard airbags, side airbags, knee airbags, and even air bags for
seat-belts. Now a newly developed motoring safety technology, that
should be with us by the end of the decade, is external airbags.
This technology works by deploying under the front of the car just
milliseconds before a collision, this acts an anchor by rubbing along
the road. The friction generated causes the braking power of the vehicle
to double. It also raises the car by approximately 8-10 centimeters,
which in turn, improves the effectiveness of seat-belts by helping to
stop people from sliding under them during a head-on collision.
So, it appears that as this slew of progressive technology encroaches
into our daily driving habits, it is certainly making a difference to
the way that we drive. There have been vast improvements in motoring
safety, not just on the public roads but also in motorsport, and this
technology has a hand in achieving that. Although, the testing and
regulation of motoring technology is something that needs keen focus
moving forward if we are to continue to develop gadgets that robotically
interact with our human responses.
In short, today’s ‘cutting edge’ is tomorrow’s ‘commonplace’ and we shouldn’t be concerned about this at all.
