Between phone apps, energy technologies, and the dynamic new business models affecting nearly every business, technology has become a ubiquitous presence in our lives. While cars have always become more complex by the year, they too will be affected by the technological advances that are changing the world. Here are some futuristic technologies that are likely to be found in automobiles in the not-so-distant future:
1) Vehicle-to-vehicle communications - Just like you constantly staring at your smartphone and connecting to friends, your vehicle will be able to connect to other vehicles in real-time. Using technology like Wi-Fi, vehicles will communicate with each other by recognizing your location in relation to other cars, and vice-versa, allowing your vehicle to literally be aware of your surroundings. This technology can reduce vehicle accidents, and will be advanced enough to let you know when someone is about to run a red light, or if a vehicle that is several cars up has stopped short, allowing you the ability to anticipate having to brake or maneuver to avoid an accident.
2) Carbon fiber everywhere - While carbon fiber by itself isn't revolutionary, the projected decrease in its price is. Vehicles have to become more fuel-efficient in order to meet new government regulations. One of the ways to do this is to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle. Carbon fiber is perfect, as it's lightweight, durable, and strong. Through advances in technology, the cost of manufacturing carbon fiber is expected to plummet, allowing manufacturers to cover cars in it, which is ultimately a win-win situation for everyone except for gas companies. Lightweight carbon-fiber vehicles are projected to increase fuel-economy by just under 10%.
3) Airless tires - Temperature changes and normal use of tires make it necessary to always keep an eye on the pressure, fear of over inflating, or under inflating. However, Bridgestone, and likely other tire manufacturers are working on technology that will make it possible to get rid of air in tires altogether. The tire would be filled with 'molded thermoplastic resin spokes' which would support the vehicle without having to worry about being inflated with air. The benefits aside from not having to worry about checking pressure and inflating the tires would be the ability to drive despite a puncture in the tire, as well as their being made from 100% recyclable material.
4) Water-repelling technology - Multiple automakers are developing technology that will allow you to not only no longer worry about changing your windshield wipers, but also potentially never have to wash your car again. This is referred to as "hydrophobic" technology. Hydrophobic glass would literally repel water, making visibility possible no matter the conditions. Nissan has taken it a step further, and introduced hydrophobic paint, which repels dirt, water, dust, and other elements by making it roll off the car's surface, keeping it eternally clean. The car-wash industry won't be happy about this one.
5) Self-driving cars - This amazing technology is closer to coming to fruition than any of us realize. While Google has gotten the most press about their major investment into cars that drive themselves, other start-ups and automakers are developing this technology at a rapid pace, with Toyota announcing plans to roll out autonomous cars by the mid 2010's. Nissan also indicated that they will release self-driving vehicles by 2020, and other automakers from Mercedes-Benz to Tesla will be wading into the driver-less car industry as well. The vehicles will no doubt have the most profound effect on transportation since the advent of the automobile itself, bringing cars swiftly into the dynamic new 21st Century.
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