Driving today is a whole different affair than it was in the past few decades. If you are old enough to have driven any vehicle built pre-2000, then you know exactly what that statement means. Cars from the ‘90s going back were a lot of fun to drive, but they definitely had quirks of their own. My father, with his Ford Taurus, is a witness to the phrase ‘cars are pain.’ The AC used to work fine – well, except during the hot days of summer. But it could take us where we needed to go: church and grocery shopping, which was more than enough for a family of working-class stature.
What Has Changed Today?
Over the past few decades, cars have transformed from simple mechanical machines to drivable computers. Things that seemed out of scope, like real-time navigation and touchscreens on dashboards (and in general), are now standard. We even have self-driving cars – have fun trying to explain that to your grandpa back in the ’80s.
But the real conversation isn’t just about what technologies we have today – it is more about how they are reshaping the driving experience itself. How have these nerdy upgrades enhanced our driving experience?
How Technology is Transforming Driving
Making Driving More Sustainable
One of the ways that technology is transforming driving is by making it more sustainable. The biggest shift in these sustainability efforts is vehicle electrification. We have more electric and hybrid vehicles on the road today than ever before. That has helped us reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, promoting cleaner mobility. Advancements in battery technology are constantly improving battery range and charging speeds, which will make electric vehicles appealing to more drivers.
Outside of individual cars, technology is also used in smart traffic management systems. These AI systems use advanced algorithms to analyse traffic and optimise lights to improve flow and reduce congestion. Most countries have integrated them into their urban transportation scenes, minimising the impact caused by traffic jams.
Making Driving Safer
Besides eco-friendliness, tech has also completely transformed certain aspects of safety. Consider ADAS, for example, one of the top safety technologies. These systems employ sensors, cameras and radars to assist a driver, thereby preventing accidents and helping improve the overall driving experience. It has features like lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control, which are increasingly becoming common in modern cars.
Another piece of tech that is improving safety is AV (autonomous vehicle), or simply, a self-driving car. This technology operates just as the name describes – a tech where computers, sensors and cameras work together to operate a vehicle without human intervention. Then you have tech like vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications for sharing real-time data, which further improves safety.
Making Driving More Comfortable
Technology has certainly made driving more comfortable. For starters, modern seats and interior layouts are designed to maximise comfort with designs like heated and massaging seats. Such ergonomic designs can be paired with autonomous features, like hands-free driving, completely removing the stress from commutes.
Also, we can’t talk about comfort without mentioning in-car technology and connectivity. Modern infotainment systems are becoming even more impressive. They can easily integrate with your regular devices, including smartphones and tablets, allowing users to access music and navigation systems, among others, seamlessly. All these have converted driving from a chore to an experience.
Conclusion
Modern technology is changing how we drive by making it safer, sustainable and more comfortable. You could leave home today in a self-driving car, with a high-end infotainment system and heated, massaging seats. It is hard to see more improvements after these. But with the current pace, we can expect more evolutions, creating an even more connected, efficient and enjoyable experience for drivers.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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