The recent CES and Detroit auto shows have showcased a plethora of future technologies transforming the automotive landscape. While some innovations are still on the horizon, others are already hitting showrooms. The pace of change in personal transportation is accelerating annually, making predictions about future car tech increasingly challenging.
At Kelley Blue Book, consumers are placing greater emphasis on automotive technology during their purchasing decisions. This shift has led to speculation about which technologies will transition from science fiction to reality within the next five years. Here are the top 10 advanced car technologies expected to emerge in showrooms by 2020:
-
Autonomous Vehicles: While fully autonomous cars won’t be ubiquitous within five years, vehicles capable of autonomous operation in specific conditions, such as rural highways with minimal variables and no adverse weather, will become available.
-
Driver Override Systems: Building on autonomous technology, these systems enable vehicles to disregard driver commands and make independent decisions. By 2020, cars will be able to apply brakes even if the driver has the gas pedal floored, thanks to advancements in sensor technology.
-
Biometric Vehicle Access: The shift from traditional keys to keyless entry will continue with the adoption of biometric authentication, such as fingerprint recognition, allowing drivers to unlock and start their vehicles without physical key fobs.
-
Comprehensive Vehicle Tracking: Insurance companies will likely offer reduced rates for drivers who agree to comprehensive tracking of their behavior. This technology may become mandatory in the future.
-
Active Window Displays: Head-Up Display (HUD) technology will evolve to display vibrant images on windshields, enhancing navigation systems and providing drivers with real-time information.
-
Remote Vehicle Shutdown: This technology, already used by OnStar to disable stolen vehicles, will become more widespread and enter the public consciousness by 2020.
-
Active Health Monitoring: Vehicles will be equipped with sensors or paired with wearable devices to monitor drivers’ vital statistics, enabling cars to pull over and call for medical assistance in case of emergencies.
-
Four-Cylinder Supercar: The development of high-performance, lightweight engines will lead to the creation of supercars powered by four-cylinder engines capable of achieving speeds over 200 mph.
-
Smart/Personalized In-Car Marketing: Connected cars will provide marketers with valuable data to create personalized, location-based advertisements displayed within vehicles.
-
Reconfigurable Body Panels: Innovative designs will allow for vehicles with adaptable body panels, potentially combining the features of different vehicle types, such as SUVs and trucks, into a single car.
These emerging technologies will significantly impact the automotive industry and consumer experience in the near future.
