With the recent
launch of the new iPhone 6 ‘phablet’ and watch it’s clear that a large portion
of our population are crazy about gadgets!
Car manufacturers know this and are all racing to release new model cars
with the most innovative and high tech gadgets.
So due to
consumers want more high tech features experts are predicting a big year of
enhancements to existing technology and more new systems in 2015. All resulting
in driving that’s easier, safer and perhaps more entertaining!
One of the
brightest things on the horizon are laser headlights. These are smaller, more
powerful and more efficient than the LED headlights that were only introduced
in recent years. Already fitted to Audi and BMW in Europe they have yet to be
approved in the US and Australia. And while you think it may be because they’re
too bright, the lamps are fitted with a diffuser system that allow them to keep
their bright, white illuminating power while making them safe to view.
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| BMW laser headlights still awaiting approval in Australia. |
Next on our list
of effective enhancements is the lane change assist. This isn’t as you might
think the alert that sounds when you drift out of lane, this system identifies
when traffic is approaching from behind at speed and warns the driver when the
signal is given to change lanes. The Subaru
Outback – a very popular in Tasmania – in 2015 will be able to determine when
it’s safe to change lanes and advise against a manoevre if it detects another
car rapidly approaching. Sensors and cameras monitor approaching traffic in the
adjacent lanes – flash an alert on the mirror to advise against the lane
change. Could be useful in the rush hour on the Tasman Bridge!
 |
| Lane change may assist on the Tasman Bridge. |
Technology will
also help drivers in bigger more crowded cities to find parking spaces and then
locate a car (if you can’t remember where you parked). And once arriving at a
parking space, those sensors and cameras again will enable a car to steer
itself into a parallel or perpendicular space while the driver operates just
transmission and foot pedals.
On an entertainment level, more and more luxury vehicles such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes- Benz will provide in car internet access. But topping that is GM Motors in the US who are fitting most new model cars with a system that provides 3 months of service and / or three gigabytes of data free!
New smartphone
integration platforms through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will transform the
infotainment system into a version of the smartphone’s operating system. Making
a system more intuitive and allowing voice recognition to play music, use maps
and ‘voice texting’ - which used to be known
as making a phone call!!
Now just the note
to self, if purchasing one of these high tech vehicles, that cars are to get
you from A to B safely. So leave the playing with the entertainment gadgets to
the passengers on board!!
