3 More Of The Latest Car Technologies For The New Year
January 28th, 2009 by admin3 More Of The Latest Car Technologies For The New Year
In a prior post, we explored a few of the new features that automakers have begun developing for their vehicles. Each of them has already been introduced into the 2009 models (mostly in those with higher price tags). Rolling hotspots, adaptive cruise control systems, and lane warning alerts offer a new level of convenience and safety for drivers. Today, I’m going to describe 3 more of the latest automotive technologies that promise to improve your experience behind the wheel.
#1 – Blind Spot Cameras
Bigger vehicles are saddled with larger blind spots. Even mid-sized sedans have blind spots that are significant enough to cause collisions. Now, imagine the inherent danger that someone on a motorcycle faces when he or she is next to an SUV.
Car manufacturers are designing systems in order to compensate for blind zones. The latest technology positions small cameras inside the casing of the side-view mirrors. The cameras monitor the areas around the vehicle that are normally obscured from the driver’s view. If the driver attempts to change lanes or make a turn when an object is identified within those areas, an alarm is sounded. Volvo’s blind spot systems include visual alerts that appear in the front windows.
#2 – Collision Control
You might remember from my last column that adaptive cruise control systems try to adjust your speed in order to prevent colliding with the vehicle in front of you. Collision control systems work under the same principle. Sensors are installed within your car that can identify the position and rate of approach of objects outside your vehicle. If a collision is imminent, the system will alert you.
For example, if you’re traveling faster than another car that is in front of you, the collision control feature will monitor the distance between you and the other car. If it senses that the space between you both is closing too rapidly, it will flash a warning light or sound an alarm.
#3 – Thermal Imaging
While your car’s headlights are critical for driving safely during the evening, their reach is limited. At high speeds, it’s possible to encounter objects in your path without having sufficient time to steer clear. Mercedes-Benz and Acura offer a thermal imaging feature within some of their models. Not only does the technology allow you to see further down the road, it can also identify objects that are moving as well as their direction.
Improving Safety Standards
The 3 technologies that I’ve described in this article are focused upon improving the safety of drivers and their passengers. By using cameras to monitor blind spots, sensors to prevent potential collisions, and night vision technology, automakers are helping to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.
As with any new technology, they’re being introduced within high-end vehicles first. Over time, as the costs to produce these systems decline, car manufacturers will begin installing them into their lower-end models. For most of us, that means a few years will pass before they’re widely available.
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