The latest installment of the annual New York Auto Show was nothing short of spectacular. It featured some of the newest models, futuristic concepts, and plenty of discussion regarding the future of the industry. Many of those conversations revolved around technology. Green technology, automated technology, safety technology – there’s so much new technology coming down the pipeline that it’s safe to say the auto industry is at a fundamental turning point.
New York Auto Show Dazzles and Impresses
As always, the New York Auto Show attracted attendees from everywhere. Whether it was the new Kia K900 “King James” Edition, or the bright green Honda Civic Concept, visitors walked away with plenty of favorites. In addition to some standard releases, many of the auto industry’s biggest players also unveiled futuristic green cars. The 2016 Chevrolet Spark, 2016 Lexus RX, and 2016 Kia Optima Hybrid were some of the most notable.
But what the general public really wants to know is, which technologies are practical and sustainable, and which are merely marketing gimmicks used to boost auto show attendance numbers and artificial interest? The reality is that many of the new technologies (and some that haven’t yet been discussed at length) are actually closer than you may think.
Five Future Technologies That are Right Around the Corner
If you ask industry experts, automakers, and tech developers, the following technologies are extremely close. In fact, it’s possible that each of these technologies could become mainstream within the next decade.
- Electronic sun visor. For the better part of a decade, Volkswagen and a couple of other tech companies have worked on an electronic sun visor that would make annoying glares a thing of the past. The premise of this technology is that computers can track eye movement and adjust the tint of the windshield to account for sunlight or glare. The technology is here; it’s now a matter of finding a way to make it cost-effective for mainstream models.
- Active health monitoring. The Ford Motor Company has conveyed their interest in using sensors on the seatbelt to track vital statistics. This information could be used in conjunction with other autonomous technology to automatically call paramedics when an accident happens.
- Energy-storing body panels. Exxon Mobil has already predicted that 50 percent of new cars will be hybrids by 2040. With that being said, auto manufacturers will need to focus on ways to reduce dependence on batteries (which are heavy and take up lots of space), and find ways to incorporate other energy-storing features. Some suggest that energy-storing car panels could be used to capture and transmit energy. There’d also have the added benefit of reducing a car’s weight by as much as 15 percent.
- Biometric vehicle access. Keyless entry is already a standard feature on many mid-tier and luxury models, but there’s a real possibility that you’ll soon be able to unlock and start your car with nothing more than a fingerprint or eyeball. The technology is being taken straight from smartphones and will redefine the notion of security.
- Sun powered cars. Hybrid cars are already popular, but they require drivers to plug them into outlets to recharge. This could change if Ford’s able to continue developing their C-Max Solar Energi concept model that uses solar cells on the roof to recharge.
This is, by no means, a comprehensive list, but it at least gives you a small glimpse of what’s going on in the auto industry. Manufacturers and brands realize that the future is sustainable technology that allows drivers to stay safe, keep more money in their pockets, and diminish their impact on the environment. The automakers that find a way to do each of these three things simultaneously will be successful for decades to come.
