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Technological advancements are revolutionizing many industries and their offerings, and the automotive industry is no exception. From electric vehicles to Tesla’s self-driving cars, technology continues to transform the way we view transportation and the overall driving experience.
One area where technology is playing a significant role is in car safety. Beyond seat belts and airbags, manufacturers and developers are embracing a range of features that are helping to keep motorists safe on the roads. This article will inspect some of the technological trends that are shaping the future of car safety.
Animal Detection
Road kill is, unfortunately a common sight on many roads and highways in the U.S. Many of these accidents are caused by deer colliding with vehicles, as statistics show about 1.5 million deer-car accidents each year.
To help bring these numbers down, new technologies are being developed to detect animals and prevent injuries to motorists and wildlife. Examples include thermal cameras, which can perceive heat or long-wave infrared (LWIR) radiation. When combined with the car’s sensors and automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, these cameras can ensure automatic braking upon detection of animals, helping motorists avoid collisions with wildlife.
Rear-Seat Reminder Systems
Ensuring child safety in the car is of paramount importance to any parent or driver. Unfortunately, however, statistics show that around 40 children die yearly from heatstroke, being left alone, or being trapped in a car. To avoid hot car deaths, the rear seat reminder technology alerts drivers that there is a child in the back seat of the vehicle by giving a visual or auditory prompt.
In car safety, it’s essential not to overlook the significance of child car seats. As technology advances, child car seat manufacturers are also incorporating innovative features to ensure the safety of young passengers. From advanced impact protection systems to intuitive installation mechanisms, these next-generation child car seats play a vital role in safeguarding young passengers of vehicles.
Biometrics
Cars of the future may allow us to dispense with keys as they offer access at the touch of a finger. With biometric features, drivers can unlock their vehicles using fingerprints, ensuring their cars remain safe and, literally, out of the hands of car thieves.
Biometrics can also be applied in monitoring drivers for intoxication, fatigue, or unresponsiveness, then automatically slowing down the vehicle, bringing it to a safe stop, or taking over the driving function while calling for help.
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) will play a significant role in the future of car safety. Its applications include smart features that display phone calls and text messages on car windscreens, eliminating the risk of motorists being distracted looking for their phones. Other features include real-time data such as speed, directions, fuel, and weather fingerprints ensuring their cars remain safe and, literally, out of the hands of car thieves.
Biometrics can also be applied in monitoring drivers for intoxication, fatigue, or unresponsiveness, then automatically slowing down the vehicle, bringing it to a safe stop, or taking over the driving function while calling for help.
As technology continues to evolve, car safety remains a key concern for motorists and manufacturers and one which is receiving the attention it deserves.
