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Source : scubbly.com |
In 2015, we have become accustomed to being surrounded by gadgets
that would have seemed a fantasy 50 years ago. From inter-connecting
smart phones to fully functioning robotics, we are at the precipice of a
technological revolution. For many of us drivers, however, we are
firmly rooted in the last generation, driving around in cars that
haven't changed much in many years, apart from some new bells and
whistles. However, automotive technologies are being developed that will
radicalise how we drive and experience driving. Here are 5 that are
guaranteed to impress any motor heads.
Augmented Reality Dashboards
At
one point, GPS technology would have seemed a million miles away from a
trusty atlas or road map, but today we are closer to ever to having a
full navigation system built into the windscreen. This will be displayed
through different types of glasses that will display different
information to the driver in real time. This will display not only
directional advice, but will display the speedometer, parking sensors,
rev counter, fuel gauge and other aspects of the cars computer. Through
touch screen controls, drivers will be able to control every facet of
their vehicle from the screen, including air conditioning, radio,
windows and headlights. Perhaps the most futuristic is the ability to
zoom in on parts of the road so drivers can see obstacles up ahead more
clearly. If put into place, this could help improve driveability but
also keep drivers and there passengers safer.
Solar Roadways
Solar
powered LED roadways have the potential to change the world in a way
that many other technologies could only dream of. Designed to not only
illuminate our roads and display dynamic traffic information, but
actually charge electric cars wirelessly whilst they drive. This would
revolutionise how we fuel our cars and completely transform the
automotive economy. This would make electric cars a true alternative to
petrol and diesel powered cars, and lead towards us improving our carbon
emissions by an inexplicable amount. Imagine never having to refuel
your car manually while driving around on illuminated LED roads! There
are even plans to make the panels heated that will melt any snow or ice
that has accumulated on the LED panels, which will then be filter to a
water treatment centre to use within the water supply. However, there
are some questions about how economically feasible these plans are and
how the roads will be constructed and maintained. However, the city of
Sandport, US, is going to become the first city to have the panels by
installing them within a parking lot.
Fully Autonomous Cars
This has been speculated for a long time but, in 2015, they are finally testing fully autonomous cars on public roads.
A recent report
suggested that by 2035, nearly 75 per cent of vehicles sold will have
automatic driving capability. Google have actually been planning to make
it a reality within 5 years, so we could have driverless cars sooner
than we think. Whilst we have had components such as self parking cars,
completely driverless cars would revolutionise how we navigate our roads
and motorways. However, there have been some initial problems; for
instance, Google's attempt at a driverless car cannot tell the
difference between a rock and a piece of litter that has drifted into
the road and subsequently attempts to drive round both of them in the
same way. Also, there are some moral questions about how much it will
actually improve road safety and whether people will actually want to
put their life in the hands of a computer program. Nevertheless,
envisioning a future where we are essentially driven around by robots
definitely seems like something out of science fiction.
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Source : trendhunter.com |
External Airbags
Many
of us have been involved in some form of accident on the roads,
sometimes costing a lot of money in repairs. However, this could be all
change if external side airbags are fitted on cars. Side crashes
currently account for around 40 percent of all traffic accidents and we
could now see a dramatic reduction in the damage these crashes cause.
The airbags are designed to deploy in 20 - 30 milliseconds and protect
the vehicle from the impact. This is being developed alongside cameras
that will detect the moment the airbag needs to be triggered. When
completed, this design could bring about a massive transformation in
road safety.