Car tech shows way to safety
Innovation is helping to drive new ways to improve road safety, writes Chad Fichardt
TWO major global technology showcase events took place in the US recently, revealing impressive technology from the world’s leading car manufacturers. Sexy design, supreme performance and green efficiencies aside, what had most people talking at the 2015 North American International Auto Show and 2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was the next generation in safety advancements.
In an indication of just how car tech is carrying the torch for convergence, this year’s CES looked more like a car show than a gadget fest, as big car brands unveiled their concepts and prototypes. The latest developments have headed toward utility and not merely convenience. In-car and exterior features look to make the driving experience more connected and safe.
SA’s car safety tech largely takes its cues from international research and development teams. However, innovation in the local market is driven through downstream industry players, such as vehicle tracking companies, who are very often much more than just that.
“It’s an exciting time for vehicle safety,” says Tracker’s Ian Adendorff. “We are seeing how tech innovation is gathering momentum that is no longer incremental, but is multi-dimensional. Connectivity is playing a central role from which an ‘Internet of Things’ makes anything possible. Ultimately, though, it’s about safer cars and passengers on our roads.”
The envelope has been emphatically pushed this year. You can now start your car with your watch! Yes, wearable tech has fused with car tech and that is not the only working innovation to catch the eye with infotainment also being a major theme. Dashboard consoles are getting bigger. Twelve-inch screens with fewer knobs and switches means less driver distraction. In fact, many models on display were equipped with all-touchscreen interfaces.
What is even more impressive is the gesture recognition functionality, which is still in early stage development. Sensors pick up common hand movements made in front of the console by the driver without actually touching it. When you need a volume change, air-conditioning change or want to zoom back and forth on a map or scroll through a menu, make the gesture while your eyes stay on the road.
Apps continue to integrate into onboard systems. Some manufacturers are increasing engagement with custom-built, in-car services so that useful geolocated offers and recommendations pop up as you near them. These are based on your particular interests and location, or where you are programmed to go in the navigation system.
Trip data communicates that you are on a road trip and may, for instance, need to check in at a nearby hotel. Not only will the name and address of the hotel appear on the console, you will even receive a quote, with booking capability, for the number of occupants.
Connectivity will no longer just be about integrating mobile devices or accessing the car’s mobile 4G wifi internet hotspot. Cars will soon be connected to their environment in a richer way. Augmented reality has been around for a number of years in the mobile space with limited success, but now things get interesting. Visitors to the Detroit show could simulate driving with real time assistance displayed seamlessly. A digitised screen presenting information from the surroundings overlays the car’s windscreen. Picture a car changing lanes in front of you. As the vehicle enters your lane you immediately see the distance, area of potential impact, and colour markings highlighting your required angle of direction.
The predictive aspect is the most impressive. You will soon get warnings of potential dangers at four-way stops. Once again, car enthusiasts have to wait, as this still requires huge amounts of testing.
Another slick concept in the works is the idea of seatbelt or steering wheel sensors that track the driver’s vital statistics. The ultimate goal: a car that can pull over and call paramedics if the driver has a heart attack or requires emergency medical assistance.
Leading manufacturers also had their various self-drive prototypes in tow. It was announced recently that US drivers will have to wait until at least 2020 for the highly anticipated Google Car. However, with concerns around road logistics, regulation and legislation of autonomous driving, that may be an ambitious date.
A component of autonomous driving that was already installed in vehicles at CES is the integration of laser lights with assistance systems and vehicle sensors. The laser lights work with the navigation system to illuminate corners well in advance and provide early warning of people or animals at night from a distance of up to 100m. Laser lights offer an impressive long beam range of up to 600m.