These are exciting times in auto gadgetry. Where once we looked for a car’s durability, gas mileage, and roominess, now our heads are turned by high-tech performance, and not just in the engine. Check out some of the latest innovations and speculations in emerging car gadgets, both in and out of the cabin.
1. Look Mom, No Hands! Hands-Free Trunk and Hatch Opening
No more balancing your huge bundle of groceries on the car bumper while you fumble through your pockets or purse for your keys so you can open the trunk. With this emerging innovation, you just make a kicking motion, and the car’s hatch opens. (How do you keep other people from opening the hatch? You have to have the car’s key fob in your pocket or purse. Think Wii meets Henry Ford.) Check out the Ford Escape, and the Mercedes-Benz 2013 SL-Class roadster for examples of this technology.
2. Take Big Brother For a Ride
If U.S. Senate Bill 1813 is passed by the House of Representatives, every new car in the United States, beginning in 2015, will be required to be fitted with a data-recording device. These devices will allow a reconstruction of events leading to an accident or a car’s malfunction. The devices are required by Section 31406 of the Bill. This development will naturally raise questions of privacy, but some believe the black box technology, so long as it doesn’t also employ audio recording, can only be helpful.
3. Electric Car Technology Improvements: Weaning Baby Off of Petroleum
As our society grows more and more environmentally savvy, car companies are improving on their eco-friendly technologies. Tessla’s Model S features a flat battery pack that not only provides convenient changing and charging, but also adds stability to the car’s body. This, combined with Tessla’s vision of building Superchargers charging stations within a battery’s driving range, up and down the roadways demonstrates to where car manufacturers are beginning to turn their attention.
4. Tires That Keep On Working When They’re Flat
Until recently, run-flat tires were only available to the very elite, such as special agents and the Pope. Now they are becoming much more affordable, and soon will fill the ‘must-have’ safety niche once occupied by steel-belt tires. Run-flat tires have an added interior rubber sidewall that supports the tire for up to an additional 50 miles after the air is expelled from the tire.
5. Headlights That Peer Around Corners
These ‘smart’ headlights calculate your speed and the angles of the road and automatically turn their beams toward the curves ahead of you in the road. This technology is currently available in luxury models such as Mercedes-Benz.
6. Back-Up Collision Intervention Systems
The back-up camera is not a new idea, but Infiniti has improved on the concept, with its 360-degree Around-View Monitor with Moving Object Detection which warns the driver, both visually and audibly, of obstacles in its way. Additionally, Infiniti has added an automatic brake activation that is triggered when the car is in reverse and an object or person threatens to collide with the vehicle.
7. When Can a Compact Car Be the Life of the Party? When it doubles as a Drive-In Theater!
Okay, so this one is just part of a concept car at present time, but isn’t it awesome? A SmartCar with an LCD projector built into the hood, and speakers on the doors that allow the people around you to hear. Pull your little car up to a wall, and presto! Instant drive-in theater. Pass the popcorn, please. This little gem is featured in the 2012 Paris Motor Show. You can often find special compact car insurance at sites such as carinsurance.org.uk.
8. Tablet-Enabled Cars
Nissan also has a fascinating concept car: the Nissan Terra SUV. This beautifully conceived vehicle is equipped with a docking station for your electronic tablet, which, when docked, enables the car to run, acting as the car key. When engaged, it acts as your speedometer and fuel gauge. After you park, remove the tablet, take it with you, and use it as a conventional device. (It’s interesting to note that Nissan’s Terra vision also includes hydrogen-generated electricity.)
So if you’re on an austere budget, perhaps you’d better not window-shop for cars this autumn. Any of these exciting features are certain to make you reach for your wallet.