Auto Trends

There are many things that are to be in our future according to car manufacturers and we are already starting to see a glimpse of some of marvels… such as GPS on board guidance and hands free stereo and cell phone operation. But the future is going to hold so much more than just this.

Joystick Steering
According to photos of the Mercedes SCL600, the future of the steering wheel may look more like that of a joystick. But this is not a first for this design. Back in 1905 the “Autocar” came complete with a tiller steering mechanism, which was much like steering a fishing boat. The driver would maneuver the tiller stick from side to side in order to steer the vehicle. The new Mercedes is thus much far advanced to this primitive engineering but still offers the same video game approach to driving.

No Flat Tires
Yes, we all know that today they have tires that you can run on after they have gone flat for several miles. As if this isn’t enough, we also have models of airless tires that are looking to gain entrance in our future. One such wheel in the “tweel” and while it still needs some perfecting, it is actual an ingenious design and would lesson one annoying problem that we have all faced at one point or another in our lifetimes.

Vehicle Communication
As if it weren’t enough that we are communicating with our own vehicles through OnStar and GPS tracking software packages, in the future cars are also going to be communicating with each other. A smart system is in design that will allow an uncontrolled and dangerous vehicle in the hands of a drunk driver or convict on the run, to sense the dangerous behavior and let other cars on the road know, so they can stop and re-route themselves towards a safer path.

Vehicle Alert
This technology could also be used to warn drivers of potentially dangerous drivers with DUI records, etc… At the same time, a dash mounted monitor will vocally warn the driver that they themselves are breaking the law. The next big thing, will be an in car monitor that not only verbally warns you, but it is hooked into your local law enforcement agency and can deal out a ticket, or place a warrant for arrest the moment you do something wrong. They may even be able to shut your car down, while you await the police.

Self Monitoring Vehicle Alert
Cars already monitor themselves, but in the future they will actually tell you that they are not well and sometimes even alert your manufacturer, so that they can get in touch with you to set-up an appointment to fix the problem. As if we don’t have to deal with enough complaining people in a day, we are going to also have to listen to our cars complain it is looking like.

Self Dimming Headlights
How many times have you forgot to turn off your high beams while on a deserted country road and a car comes up over a hill by surprise. Imagine how nice it would be if we didn’t have to monitor our own lights anymore. Well in the future, they are working on image sensors that will detect oncoming traffic and automatically dim our lights, so not to blind oncoming drivers. This has been an ongoing project for 40 or 60 years and technology has finally caught up enough to make this standard feature a reality.

Smart GPS
GPS systems are great. They can get you just about anywhere you want to go and can even retrace steps if you make a wrong turn and get you back on track in a matter of seconds. Now imagine a GPS that is actually current on traffic conditions, weather, and accidents. This will mean that you will be much more efficient on your daily jaunts. Also in the future of these units will be the addition of a device that detects hills and stoplights and offers the routes that will gain the best miles per gallon… this will become especially useful as gas nears the $10.00 a gallon mark (it could happen… and sooner than you may think).

Heads up Displays
Another future addition for the driver will be space age heads up displays that will offer vehicle information within the windscreen, so that drivers can keep an eye on their speed, gas, and GPS directions, without taking their eyes off of the road. In the distant future, a GPS operated guidance system will be able to direct drivers in real time, while using the windshield as its directory, pointing towards exits and giving a visual confirmation as you approach your destination.

Self Guidance Car Systems
There is also talk of self guided cars… such as in the movie I-Robot, that will be able to drive themselves to destinations while the driver relaxes or sleeps using a very sophisticated system of GPS, real time sensors, cameras, and double safety systems that will back each other up in case of a malfunction.

 Our future… a good thing, or too invasive of our freedom and privacy?