According to a report released by HIS Automotive in June 2016, the USA will be the early leader in deploying autonomous vehicle technology, an effort that will put an estimated 1 million self-driving cars on the global roads by 2035. While the development of driverless cars are at the forefront of driving technology at present, there are numerous other innovations that are making our everyday driving experiences simpler and safer.
On the trucking front, innovations such as the HWY Pro is fast changing the way the industry is operating. Developed through substantial investments by Paul Svindland, Bill Busbice Jr and Harry Hover, the purpose of the app is to streamline transportation for truckers. By making use of various digital operations such as load insight, the actual loading and dispatching of products are significantly increased. The application enables a trucker to plan his entire trip before even starting his truck’s engine. It will provide you with all the information required to find the best-paying jobs including your destination and what cargo you will be hauling.
According to Business Insider, the following are considered the best innovations in the automotive industry thus far in 2017:
Vehicle to Vehicle Communication (V2V)
This is exactly what it sounds like: a type of communication technology that allows cars to talk to other cars as well as surrounding infrastructure such as traffic lights. As cars become more autonomous they will need to be able to communicate with other cars as a safety precaution. V2V allows cars to share vital information to help their human drivers such as how the 2017 Mercedes E-Class uses the technology to relay data about traffic, climate conditions and other vital information about the road ahead to other Mercedes cars on the road.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility
Staring at your cellphone while driving in an attempt to connect with your apps can hold grave danger to all road users. Luckily many car manufacturers are now producing vehicles that are compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These systems allow the driver access to a variety of supported apps right on your vehicle’s infotainment center.
WiFi and LTE 4G connectivity
More and more vehicle manufacturers are starting to offer WiFi and LTE 4G connectivity in their newer models. You will, however, still have to pay for a data plan in order to make this functionality usable. WiFi and LTE 4G basically turns your vehicle into a hotspot that allows you to connect several devices to the network. This enables to passengers to stream videos, music and access social media sites without worrying about killing your mobile device’s battery.
Until self-driving cars become accessible to the masses, drivers will have to indulge in the innovative technologies that motor vehicle manufacturers are decking their cars out with. While some technologically-advanced features are only available in higher-end models, it’s only a matter of time before they all become mainstream as well.
