Though Illegal, This Is One of The 4 Most Highly Anticipated Auto Innovations
In keeping with our (recently established) tradition, we’d like to start the new year by highlighting upcoming auto-related technologies--especially the novel types that save lives.
Though we tend to be more safety-focused, we appreciate the bells and whistles of flashy new trends that seem straight out a sci-fi movie scene; some of which definitely made our list:
Adaptive Headlights
Adaptive, or matrix headlights, automatically adjust high beams in the face of oncoming cars while keeping the rest of the road illuminated and are able to be aimed more precisely than regular headlights. The headlights contain both high and low beam elements, which 1967 rules in America required to be separate. Biden’s new infrastructure bill contains language that updates regulations, and in two years, adaptive headlights might finally make it to the U.S.
Augmented Reality
Qualcomm and Chinese car company NIO have recently made progress in the realm of AR for cars, and it’s a step in the right direction for safety. As cameras and sensors take in a car’s surroundings, real-time suggestions, stats, and alerts are projected onto the windshield for a safer driving experience–making for much less focus on a dashboard or smartphone, which both take eyes off the road.
Biometric/Facial Recognition
Your fingerprint or face might soon be used to open more than just your phone, as LG begins focusing on biometric recognition for cars. This means that not only will you be able to start and open your car with your fingerprint, but special interior sensors will be able to sense eye and body movements to help your car make adjustments as you drive–including drowsy-eye detection, which can be a lifesaver.
In-Car Voice Assistance
Siri’s no longer the only voice in town, as we saw at the most recent CES show, where Ceres showed off its latest in-car voice powered by AI. Not only was it responsive to voice commands, it made use of outside sensors to feed the driver updates in real time, so that course changes could be made. Changing in-car settings could soon be completely hands-free.
