As society continues to advance and push boundaries, tremendous leaps are being made in car design that will revolutionize functionality for years to come. Recently, the automotive industry has undergone a significant transformation as car manufacturers are working more diligently to produce vehicles that fit every consumer’s lifestyle.
Technology has proven to be a leading design element to incorporate into new car models. Today’s trends show that cars of the future will be autonomous, electric, connected and sleek, proving that, in a few years, cars on the road will look nothing like they do right now.
Continue reading, or skip to the infographic, to learn more about what technologies are responsible for the future of car design and the features they bring to make driving safer for you and others on the road.
What is the future of car design?
Cars of the future will offer numerous benefits to not only consumers but society as a whole. The main advancements seen in car design will prioritize safety, connectivity and convenience while lessening the amount of pollution emitted into the environment. The list below will give you insight into what technology will be driving the future of car design.
1. Driverless Technology
Self-driving cars are vehicles that can operate in most, if not all, driving situations. This is also known as an autonomous or driverless car. These vehicles safely operate and navigate the car by combining radar sensors, complex algorithms and machine learning systems.
The car uses this network of control features and sensors to create a continuous map of its surroundings. The technology allows the vehicle to monitor speed and distance from other vehicles and adapt to changes in road conditions.
The most widely known and sought after feature is being able to process sensory information to plot directions and send acceleration, steering and braking signals to the main operating system.
2. Augmented Reality
In real-time, cars equipped with augmented reality (AR) features use a computer installed within the dashboard to display supplementary information to drivers regarding their surroundings. Driving directions, speedometers and more are projected in front of your eyes. AR also brings your attention to hazardous objects most likely to cause an accident.
By 2025, the global automotive AR and VR market is projected to reach about $673 billion – a 320,000% increase in investment since 2017. Several car manufacturers like BMW, Jaguar and Mazda have already implemented AR technology into their vehicles.
3. Electric Batteries
Electric vehicles (EVs), also known as battery electric vehicles, operate by utilizing a battery to store energy that is used to power the motor. Batteries are charged by plugging the vehicle into a grounded power source. These vehicles have accumulated so much popularity because of the environmental benefits, being categorized as zero-emission vehicles and producing no direct exhaust or tailpipe emissions.
There is still progress to be made with the electric battery. Extremes temperatures can decrease a car’s driving range since energy is used to stabilize the inside of the cabin. Furthermore, transporting heavy loads or driving up dramatic inclines can also reduce the range of the vehicle.
4. Heads-up Display
Newer car models are incorporating heads-up displays (HUD) in their vehicles. This technology displays images on the windshield of the vehicle to allow them to have a better focus on the road ahead.
Originally, HUD was designed for military aircraft, enabling them to see important flight data, but can now be added to modern vehicles for added safety.
5. Connection
A connected car is a vehicle that can communicate with external systems, enabling it to share internet access and data with other devices inside and outside of the car.
A GPS system is one example of technology that is utilized by connected vehicles. It accesses the internet and other data sources to create routes and avoid roadblocks or accidents. Recent advancements in connected cars are equipping them with 5G receivers to create an in-vehicle hotspot, providing passengers access to Wi-Fi from inside the car
6. Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking relies on kinetic energy captured during deceleration or braking and stores it within the battery of the car to be used as electricity to power the electric motor. This helps reduce the amount of time drivers spend recharging the vehicle.
Tech That’s Driving the Future of Car Design Infographic
Check out:Â These Are The Best 12 Off-road Cars for Travel Right Now
