Let's Talk Car Tech

July 22, 2015

Whether or not you’re a devout Car Talk listener, it’s hard not to be impressed by the advancements in automotive technology.

Whether or not you’re a devout Car Talk listener, it’s hard not to be impressed by the advancements in automotive technology. Drivers have been treated to major upgrades by way of communication solutions, entertainment, comfort and safety. The concept of the self-driving car – a truly autonomous automotive experience – has been keeping the industry top-of-mind, and perhaps overshadowing some other pretty impressive car-centric technology.

Back in January, Karl Brauer wrote a Forbes piece detailing some tech-heavy advancements we can expect in cars by 2020. Some of our favorites included:

Biometric Vehicle Entry: We’re already growing accustomed to keyless entry and start, so why not up the ante by eliminating key fobs all together? Apple’s Touch ID makes use of the fingerprint, which could be equally as effective for vehicle entry. Considering the way hackers have criticized the security of Touch ID, it’s possible – but unlikely – that car companies could consider retina scanners as an alternative.

Improved Head-Up Display (HUD): If you’re a fan of using exercise equipment that simulates running on the beach, or mountain hiking, you’ll likely be a fan of what’s to come with HUD technology. With improvements in the type of content that can be displayed on say, a windshield, we see great potential for safer, more accurate navigation. Despite the accuracy of modern smartphone map applications, drivers are still neglecting the rules of the road, and lose focus by diverting their attention to their device. With an improved HUD, drivers will have no choice but to keep their eyes on the road.
Active Health Monitoring: Crazy about the heart rate moderation on your iWatch? Experts say to expect similar innovation in your car. Whether built into seat belts or steering wheels, we anticipate automotive companies to experiment with in-vehicle sensors, while also pairing your car with any of your existing wearables. While seat memory, in-seat display and other car tech had us excited years ago, we’re more excited to see where automotive technology will take us in the next 5 years.