Everything in today’s world, it seems, is going ‘smart’. Cars are no different, with more and more smart technology being developed in the motor industry. Given the huge impact smartphones have on our lives, it can come as no surprise. Whatever one’s views about the prevalence of smart technology in modern society, the fact that drivers are responsible for 94% of crashes makes the safety focus of certain smart technology very welcome. Here are a few examples of the type of technology to look out for, and which will help to keep us safer on the road.
Augmented Reality Dashboards
In 2016, distracted driving caused nearly 3,500 fatalities. This is where the development of things like augmented reality (AR) dashboards could potentially save lives. AR technology latches onto the world around you by layering information over it, all through the screen of a smart device. AR dashboards will be able to provide information about all types of cars in the vicinity, as well as your own car and other nearby objects. This information includes the exact location of other cars and the technology will alert you to any potential crash. As a result, a driver is made aware of a hazard before he or she would have been able to realize it alone, and thus has more time to avoid a collision.
Vehicle-to-Everything Communication
A particularly revolutionary piece of smart technology that is due to ‘hit the road’ in 2020 is Vehicle-to-Everything Communications (V2X). This would see cars being used as sensors and carriers of traffic data. It would allow cars with the technology to communicate with other vehicles and roadside technology, alerting them to things like hazards, changing road conditions and speed. Not only does this technology aim to improve road safety, but also the efficiency of traffic and energy use. As a result, the multiple benefits of this technology make its implementation an exciting prospect.
Active Health Monitoring
The emergence of wearable technology in recent years has led to effective developments in health care in senior citizens. Ford Motors have recently been working on bringing wearable technology into automobiles, in order to help improve safety on the roads. The technology involves effectively using the driving seat as an ECG monitor, with sensors placed in the driver’s backrest and keeping track of the driver’s heartbeat. The technology will identify any irregularities and immediately take control of the car, slowing it down and pulling over into a safe place. With up to half of the non-elderly American population having some sort of pre-existing medical condition, active health monitoring could be an invaluable addition to the world of smart car technology.
Smart and safety can go hand in hand
When it comes to being on the road, safety is of paramount importance. The development of smart technology in motor vehicles has the potential to keep us safer on the roads. From communicating with other cars to monitoring drivers’ heart rate, there are certainly plenty of reasons to see the use of smart technology in a positive light.
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