5 ways your commute will improve by 2020
by Claire J. Content ManagerThe way we travel is currently undergoing
huge changes. In the next few years technological changes in our cars are set
to make our vehicles safer, more efficient and easier to use. With the growing number
of cars on our roads, car manufacturers and other companies are putting the
pedal down in the hope of making the commute of consumer more enjoyable.
In the near future, our cars will be
internet-connected, data collecting machines that aim to make the driving
experience as enjoyable and as safe as possible. Some newer cars that are on
the road right now have up to 130 interconnected computers within them, giving
drivers information on their driving habits and traffic conditions as well as
entertainment and other information. So, how will your commute improve in the
coming years.
1. Easier Parking
It seems parking facilities are struggling
to keep up with the number of cars hitting our roads. With 8
million people driving to and from work every day it’s no surprise finding
a parking spot can be difficult. Many workplaces don’t offer adequate spaces,
and commercial car parks can be expensive.
Startups like Parkhound are disrupting the market
and making it easier for drivers to locate parking. Parkhound lets people rent
out their unused driveways, lawn space and garages to drivers who need a spot.
This allows people to earn some extra money, while allowing others access to a
consistent parking space, at a cheaper rate then paying for a commercial
parking space.
2. Hands-off controls
The driverless smart car is what we are all
waiting for and while they may be some time off, new cars are increasingly
being fitted out with voice-control functions. Although touch screens have been
around for some time, it’s now becoming more common for drivers to be able to
receive phone calls, text messages, play music, get directions and traffic
warnings by simply telling their car what to do.
While voice-control seems like the obvious
fix to the difficulty of navigating a touch screen while driving, some cars
like the BMW 7 Series features Gesture Control, where your hand movements can
get things done.
3. Safer Driving
Safety has always been a big selling
feature in most cars but as technology advances, there’s a shift from
protective safety towards preventative safety. For example, driver override and
remote vehicle shutdown are now in most new cars, but lane-keeping technology
and adaptive cruise control are also improving the safety of our commute.
Cars are beginning to be able to detect if
you’re unintentionally moving out of your lane and can guide you back on track.
Vehicle-to-vehicle networking is also set
to drastically improve our commute. While the many computers within a car are
connected, soon, these computers will connect with other cars too. This will
help inform drivers of traffic problems and the best ways around the issue.
4. Lower costs
Consumers are always calling for lower
costs, so data monitoring apps, like GoFar,
which help drivers save money are set to impact on the industry. The GoFar app
can track and analyse your data in real time, helping you to achieve more
efficient driving.
While the GoFar app is about making you a
better and more efficient driver, some say that by 2020, drivers who agree to
full tracking of their driving behaviour could receive a reduced rate from
insurance companies.
Whether it’s an app that teaches you to
drive better, or a function that monitors your driving habits, vehicle
technology should help see prices lowered, one way or another.
5. Health conscious cars
Ok, the car might not be health conscious,
but it will be able to alert you of your own health. Car companies are working
on monitoring driver’s vital signs through sensors in the seatbelt and steering
wheel. Soon, a car might be able to detect a heart attack, pull over and
request an ambulance to its GPS location.
There’s no reason that this same system
won’t be able to detect a driver’s attention level, if they’re alert or drowsy.
In the coming years, our commute is set to
change for the better. Our cars will be connected pieces of technology. They
will talk to us, and surrounding cars, updating the entire network of traffic
problems, while also helping drivers to drive more efficiently. This has the
potential to lower costs, while also reducing the risks we face on the road.
Oh, and parking shouldn’t be the issue it is today!
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Created on Nov 20th 2017 23:01. Viewed 904 times.
Nice Info about the way we travel...
Nov 20th 2017 23:09 1 Likes