The Future of Smart Cars
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) with features such as lane drift warnings, collision detection alarms, automatic parking and even 360 degree cameras to help us see round those awkward corners have become commonplace as features on new cars. We are starting to expect more and more from our smart cars: we want inbuilt WiFi hotspot connection, touch screens for our dashboard and window displays and better integration of our other devices to the car’s system.
That’s today – what about tomorrow? Here are some of the advances we can expect.
Enhanced Gesture Control
Audi already introduced a new way of controlling a car’s functions, called the MMI touch – an improvement on the pre-existing Audi Multi Media Interface (MMI) System. The best part of this new system is the ability to write on a touchpad, which has a range of use from entering phone numbers to choosing songs and navigation. It’s able to recognize and support a range of languages other than English – and the usual knob and voice controls are there too. MMI touch makes it easy to access functions with one finger while driving – and who doesn’t want that?
Long Term Evolution
GPS devices for cars work without needing internet access – but how many times have you followed your satnav and been stuck in traffic when it could have been avoided? Unfortunately, many cars don’t have internet support. Audi, once more, comes to the rescue. Among others, Audi plans to implement Long Term Evolution (LTE) in its future models. LTE will turn the car into a WiFi hotspot – making traffic updates the new norm – and allowing those of us who are constantly on the go to use our laptops and in the car. It will also mean faster loading of live maps, the ability to search for a location using pictures and better internet radio.
Advanced Integration with Smartphones
Honda is taking a step many think is overdue by integrating Apple’s Siri Eyes Free into their future models. This doesn’t just mean being able to play your music hands free, but would let you control iOS from your dashboard; enabling you to make phone calls, send and receive messages and get directions from built in Apple apps. This can be done using either voice commands or buttons on your steering wheel.
So far, there doesn’t seem to be the same kind of development happening for Android users. You can already access Google Now and Maps by mounting your smartphone onto the windscreens, but that’s about it. Hopefully Android won’t be left behind and we’ll hear an announcement for plans soon.
Having greater tech in your car is something everyone wants – but there is a downside to be considered – as the Jeep ‘car hack’ has clearly shown. Security is going to be a big issue for future models; and car makers already have to find ways to ensure safety. Companies such as SIM maker Gemalto have developed an embedded security chip which can help to address security problems. Antivirus and malware protection will begin to include your car as well as your other devices!