How will 2017 shape up when it comes to the technology integrated into many of the new cars being introduced by manufacturers? We already have a good idea, as many of the year's new cars have been developed and are now simply waiting to be released. Here's a preview of the year ahead - and, we should remind you, this really is 2017 we are focusing on, not 2050...
How will 2017 shape up when it comes to the technology integrated into many of the new cars being introduced by manufacturers? We already have a good idea, as many of the year's new cars have been developed and are now simply waiting to be released. Here's a preview of the year ahead - and, we should remind you, this really is 2017 we are focusing on, not 2050...
Don't lose your grip on augmented reality
IHS analyst Mark Boyadjis, whose specialist focus is connected car technology, has predicted that augmented reality will feature in a production vehicle before the year is out. If you were one of the many people swept up in the hype surrounding the mobile game Pokémon GO last year, you might already have a good idea of how augmented reality works. However, the technology, where digital images can be seen laid upon a view of the real world, could have better applications in cars.
Many of the automotive possibilities with AR have been outlined by MarketWatch. Imagine driving a vehicle which includes a head-up display, where the typical information related to speed and traffic can be seen. However, when you are using a navigation system, AR could also display arrows on the road surface, indicating which route you should take and when.
Car-to-car conversations... of sorts
Cars could become surprisingly chatty with each other in 2017. No, we don't mean that they will be having a laugh with anecdotes about where their drivers went with them the other week. We mean that data about such driving conditions as speed, weather, accidents and abrupt braking could be shared with other vehicles. That's what is possible with a new, revolutionary system that will be in Cadillac CTS sport sedans to be brought to market this year.
With words quoted by USA TODAY, Navigant Research senior analyst Sam Abuelsamid says that this Wi-Fi-style technology, known as vehicle-to-vehicle or V2V communication, "increases drivers' awareness of what's beyond their line of sight". It will also help "platooning", where vehicles can drive near each other in packs without slowing down or getting into accidents. V2V technology is expected to eventually become a standard feature of every new car hitting retail release.
The further democratisation of sophisticated tech in cars
Dave Sullivan, an analyst at AutoPacific, actually goes as far as calling this the year's genuine technology trend. Sophisticated connectivity and safety features previously integrated solely into high-performance and luxury vehicles will appear in a further number of mainstream cars.
Look at Toyota's Star Safety System. The company now puts the six safety systems of this suite into each of its models - ranging from the most high-end Lexus right through to the inexpensive Yaris. Vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, brake assist, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Smart Stop Technology are all features of this Star Safety System. Soon, such features could become as accessible as the tyres that we offer through our tyre-fitting service, which can be provided at your residence or workplace.