New Auto Tech
Cars are evolving quicker than they have ever before, and it’s exciting times for the automobile enthusiast. Innovation and key ideas are rapidly changing the way we do cars. Boasting newer technology to make cars faster, safer, more interactive and more economical can be mostly put down to the evolution in computer technology. However, there are other amazing ways to advance the functions of a motor car.
The Engine Control Unit (ECU) was a bit of computer technology that found its way into the automobile back in the 1970s. Back then the ECU controlled the fuel mix, making cars more economical and more powerful. Now, the ECU provides other stuff like: performance mapping for the engine, fuel efficiency, traction control, automatic night driving lights, activating aerodynamic aids, activation of the windscreen wipers, active safety aids like dynamic stability control and more.
The addition of computerized safety features like lane change warning systems, parking aids and even cruise control with automatic braking is making the task of driving much safer.
BMW’s i8 can be connected to your smartphone, which will show information about the car’s efficiency mapping and battery status. There are a number of cars that you can buy that will even turn on the climate control function, at your command while you’re inside the home or office, before you get into the car on a cold morning.
The Ford C-Max Solar Energi is a tiny people carrier designed by Ford. This little car is the first of its kind to capture the sun’s energy and store or use it. With a roof-mounted solar cell, the unit can gather and store energy, making it the perfect environmentally friendly car. Solar energy is the ultimate for powering your drive.
Another expanding area of auto technology that is advancing is the connectivity features inside a car. New connectivity functions include being able to send and receive texts, tweets and face-book messages through the car’s automated voice system. Checking the weather forecast and streaming your favourite playlists through your car’s audio speakers can easily be done while you’re manoeuvring your way through the traffic. If you’re a parent of a teenager who has borrowed the car, you can now track the car’s progress via a smartphone app.
Driver smartphone apps are set up to monitor the driver’s heartbeat and stress levels while driving the vehicle. A clever app can be used to monitor glucose levels in a diabetic driver. Significant changes in the blood-sugar levels are alerted to the driver so that a correction can be made before the driver does any further driving.
Wireless technology is evolving to the point that vehicle-to-vehicle communication can be used to reduce traffic accidents and congestion. Volvo’s new XC90 models feature automatic brake technology where the XC90 will use radar detection and apply the brakes if an imminent collision is detected. The driver doesn’t even have to make the car brake, as the XC90 does it all – thus avoiding an accident. Queue Assist is another XC90 feature, where the car uses radars to slowly follow the vehicle in front, steering and braking automatically to keep directly behind the leading car.
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Are there any other cool new features that you know about? Let us know.
Level 2, 9 Help Street
Nev Daniels says:
Very interested in the blood glucose monitoring ap for my wife who is diabetic. however, I can’t seem to find it listed anywhere. Do you have any other details?
Much appreciated
February 29th, 2016 at 2:27 pm
Hugh Buckle says:
Current model Toyota Prius has a solar panel in the roof which powers a fan to keep air circulating through the cabin when the car is parked in sunshine.
February 29th, 2016 at 3:36 pm