The Real Car Tech for Tomorrow
For better or worse, the internet and cars will be inextricably linked in the future. Whereas some see this as more potential for distraction, the tweeters and the texters are going to win out on this one. As cellular data speeds increase, so will the speed of in-car internet (and the potential for accidents). This improved access does have its advantages, though; GPS map data will be more accurate and include richer accompanying info that’s actually up-to-date. The kids will have a never-ending supply of YouTube videos to watch on the way to Grandma’s (good luck getting them out of the car). And, you know, you’ll be able to more easily check Facebook from the road. So that’s good.
Aside from just accessing the web, though, your car will be able to better sync with your computers and mobile devices. The address book that lives on your desktop will appear on your car’s infotainment computer. Now that more and more infotainment systems include USB ports, the in-car systems will be easy to update when new software becomes available, which should make syncing with the latest smartphones possible. Updates may also be sent over the air, making use of your cell phone’s data connection or taking advantage of the cell radios already fitted to vehicles with telematics systems such as GM’s OnStar or Mercedes-Benz’s Tele Aid.
Holographic Info Displays
With all this information flowing through our cars, data displays will become even more important. We know that Audi and a couple other manufacturers are working on holographic-style head-up displays. (Obi-Wan would be proud.) These color images will be projected in front of the driver and be most useful for things like 3-D maps and driving directions. We can get behind anything that has the ability to keep more eyes on the road. More use of digital gauges, in-dash displays, and larger touchscreens is also a given.
Car-to-X Communication
Cars themselves will stay more connected—to one another and to the road infrastructure. Called “car-to-X communication,” these systems are being tested by several companies and allow vehicles to communicate with stop lights, report traffic to the grid, and warn other vehicles of accidents. This increased awareness has the potential to save fuel, time, and lives. There are some inherent privacy issues here, but we think the Twitter Nation has already blindly given up that right.
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