Eight New Technological Advances for Drivers

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Brad Boyer, GoLocalPDX Auto Expert

Photo credit: iStock

In its automotive survey this year, J.D. Powers found one of the main features new buyers wanted on new car purchases was new, hi-tech gadgetry. They also determined the biggest complaint for new car buyers and it was that same in-car technology that caused the most issues.

Meanwhile, CITI Research put out a Car of the Future report this year. It described a vast array of new technology that buyers can access that will bring new cars even closer to the kind of things we see on Jetsons cartoons.

The list of new “Tech” options on today’s cars is impressive. Some are for fun to enhance the drive while others help drivers arrive safely. Here are ten new technological advances currently on offer for drivers:

1. Vehicle Safety

The CITI Research report states that the car of today isn’t just fuel inefficient but also unsafe. Road fatalities claim over one million lives annually around the world. It's estimated that vehicle fatalities will rank in the top five causes of death by 2030.

But if a driver were afforded an extra half second to respond to a situation, 60 percent of the accidents might be avoided. That is where the most recent and dramatic new technology comes in. Active Safety or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) is relatively affordable, has the endorsements of regulators and high consumer demand.

ADAS is made up of three methods of protection:

A. Assistance.:This includes adaptive cruise control where the vehicle will slow down as it approaches another vehicle. Another assistance feature is the back up cameras and they have become more sophisticated in recent years.

Vehicles including the Honda Accord have cameras on the passenger side mirrors so when the driver signals, he or see will get a view of the road on the screen. The Nissan Quest and others provide a split screen with a 360 view around the car as well as the traditional rear view. Trucks are even getting in the mix with the new F150 featuring a 360 camera.

B. Protection.:Technology that has been in vehicles for quite some time still offers the best protection. Airbags, seatbelts and stronger and better crumple zones have saved countless lives in recent years.

C. Prevention: The best way to survive an accident is to avoid it. That is where the manufacturers and their suppliers have taken great strides in the last few years. A number of these features are options for now. Currently ADAS options such as blind-spot detection and cross-traffic alerts retail for up to $900. For another $1000-$3500 a buyer can access the latest safety technology including forward-collision braking, lane departure warnings and advanced displays such as heads up.

2. Lane Departure Warning

A number of vehicles offer lane departure warning but one of the best can be found in General Motors vehicles such as the GM Denali, Cadillac Escalade and Buick Regal. When the driver drifts over the line, a strong vibration registers on the driver’s leg. Other systems set off a warning noise to alert the drivers.

3. Self Braking Vehicles

In the last year, the best safety feature is the self braking system. Using radar, infrared or cameras, these systems detect people and objects and if the driver doesn’t stop, the vehicle will do it itself. A local company FLIR in Wilsonville has taken its military application for infrared and camera detection and is now providing a number of car manufacturers with its retail technology.

4. In-Car Technology/Hands Free interface

The most popular items that manufactures tout in press launches and sales pitches is the in-car technology and hands-free interface with the driver’s cell phones. These systems also allow the driver to change radio stations, climate, make phone calls and more all hands free through a voice activated system. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, however, recently announced the results of a study that said this popular new technology may actually increase mental distraction. The results also suggest the manufacturers of these systems could make them less complicated, more accurate and easier to use.

The two most common voice commands that drivers use are for voice dialing and changing the stereo/radio stations. This is where the different manufacturers either shine or fail. Toyota with its Entune system is the most complicated to use and, in AAA’s research, garnered the lowest marks in terms of cognitive distraction. It becomes even more distracting when the voice command sytem doesn’t understand you and your command becomes an argument. Apparently, the system doesn’t understand profanity hurled at it in frustration. The Ford SYNC and Mercedes COMAND systems were rated the best but even they can still cause owner frustration according to the J.D. Power report.

5. Aftermarket Suppliers

The in-car technology isn’t restricted to new car suppliers. Some of the best systems are provided by the aftermarket companies that can adapt to the newest technology even quicker. Pete Clover, owner of Mobile West in Portland, said they have the capability to upgrade and enhance the new cars as well as the older ones where the technology wasn’t available at the time of manufacture. Clover said their business has “blown” up in the past year or two. Besides installing the latest in hands free devices, they can provide back up cameras, custom created sound systems and more. Clover has teamed up with Project Discover and the Test Miles radio show to create a Land Rover Discovery that will be on display at next year’s Portland Auto Show in February. Besides the crazy upholstery, Clover and his team of “car techies” installed an IPad system and full 4G streaming and a concert like sound system.

6. Self Parking Vehicles

Another “hard to believe” tech feature available in some vehicles is the self parking option. If a driver has ever had the misfortune of trying to park on NW 23rd with traffic all around, this is especially enticing. You can simply have the car park for you.

7. Self Driving Cars

Self parking is just one step away from the real car of the future and that puts the driver, well, as the passenger. Self driving cars are here already.

In 2010, Google began its work on the driverless car. It's now possible for Google to have a greeter meet a guest at the airport, take them to the car and send them on their way with no driver at all. The car safely finds its way to the office with no hassle and no tip required. Many carmakers are jumping into the game, including BMW, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai and others. Other technology companies, universities and suppliers are also getting involved.

The technology has been in the pipeline for over 50 years in some capacity with GM having shown off concept or dream cars with autopilot. While the driverless technology and infrastructure is still a ways off, given the speed at which new “tech toys” are being introduced, that timeframe seems shorter by the year.

8. Apps

There are apps for everything now: one will help a driver find a parking spot and then help him or her remember exactly where it was. ParkMe or SpotHero is available to drivers to find and even prepay for a parking near their destination. Volkswagen offers CarNet which will detect the Last Parked location.

Most manufacturers have been offering Internet in certain vehicles (Audi, Chrysler, Mercedes) General Motors has ratcheted it up even more. In 2015, almost all of its vehicles will be mobile hotspots utilizing the latest OnStar services. This includes a 4G LTE Wi-Fi connection.

This all goes to underscore the point that all this technology, while exciting and fun, is still in a car or truck where the main job of the driver is to get to and from while paying attention to the road. Like with any new technology, it all comes with responsibility.

Brad Boyer is owner of Carcierge, a car concierge company providing expert assistance on anything car-related. He also co-hosts Test Miles on 101.1 FM KXL on Sundays, and is a founding member of the Northwest Auto Press Association. You can email him your car-related questions at [email protected].

Banner Photo Credit: iStock