The folks at Cars.com have looked into their crystal ball and examined industry trends and news reports to come up with 15 innovations predicted to be available in cars sometime in the next 10 years. From self-parking cars to chipless paint, every innovation marks a trouble-easing aid for mankind.
“You can find some of these innovations on the market today, and the technology exists to incorporate many of these innovations in the near future,” said Patrick Olsen of Cars.com. “Cost and consumer demand will help determine whether these innovations become standard, become options for select luxury vehicles — or never make it out of development.”
Cool Stuff That’s Been Talked About
Advanced Flexible Fuel Systems
In addition to widely available hydrogen-powered cars and clean diesel cars, Cars.com envisions a car that could run on all types of fuel interchangeably. You could have one car that could run on gas, diesel, hydrogen, E85 and electric power. Your mileage would increase and you could use whatever fuel was cheapest — or available. Research into hydrogen fuel cells has been in the works for years, and there are already cars that can run on E85 and gas, as well as hybrids that can run on gas and battery power. Now we need to figure out how to combine all technologies into one car.
Active Tires
Airless tires would be great, but wouldn’t it be even cooler to have tires made from some sort of synthetic compound that could change to handle different road conditions with the push of a button? One set of tires could take you from summer to winter or, better yet, handle an unexpected rainstorm.
True Autopilot
In some ways, we’re still far from the cars most of us thought we’d be driving by now. True autopilot — where the navigation system guides the car to its destination while the driver sits back and relaxes — is a huge, futuristic step in the right direction. Whether through an extension of GPS or with the aid of magnets in the road, research into this technology is already under way.
Down the Road (Coming in 3-5 years)
Lane Changer Warning
Time frame: Three years
Cars would monitor traffic in adjacent lanes to let the driver know when it’s safe to change lanes.
Camless Engines
Time frame: Three years
Like the human body, engines demand airflow based on workload. A complex array of tubes, valves and camshafts facilitates this process, but it has nowhere near the flexibility of our lungs. Camless technology bridges the gap, better controlling the amount of air that’s drawn into the engine. The result: more power, less pollution and better mileage.
Self-Repairing, Self-Cleaning Paint
Time frame: Three years
Imagine paint that can better resist and repair minor scratches and withstand marks from things like greasy fingers and tree sap.
Navigation Systems With Real-Time Traffic Information
Time frame: Three years
All cars with navigation systems would be able to integrate real-time traffic data in order to alert drivers to road construction issues or traffic snarls while providing alternate routes.
Self-Parking Cars
Time frame: Four years
Self-parking cars would utilize a system that parks a car with either minimal or no help from the driver.
Electric Window Tinting
Time frame: Five years
Electric window tinting could take windows or a moonroof from clear to tinted to even opaque with the push of a button. Maybach already offers a panoramic glass roof that can be switched from opaque to transparent, but not many of us can afford a Maybach.
Around the Corner (Here now, or within 2 years)
Keyless Entry and Ignition
Time frame: One year
A number of cars already offer keyless entry and ignition, but their use isn’t widespread. Combine that with biotechnology access (like the fingerprint scanners at grocery stores and on some laptop computers) and the key chain is on the road to obsolescence.
Adaptive Brake Lights
Time frame: Two years
Adaptive brake lights get brighter or larger depending on how hard the brake pedal is depressed, telling the driver behind you how quickly you are stopping.
Computer Center
Time frame: Two years
Computers used for the operation of your car have been around for some time, but this is a master in-dash computer that can manage navigation, phones, email, CDs, a PDA and every other new techno-gadget we come up with. Some Chrysler models have a system called MyGig with Bluetooth capability and a built-in hard drive that can rip CDs like your home computer.
Automotive Black Box
Time frame: Two years
Airplanes have the ability to record trip details, so why not cars? An automotive black box could be invaluable in an accident, keep tabs on a new driver, help frequent speeders monitor their mph — or it could be a big invasion of privacy.
Economy Mode
Time frame: Two years
If drivers can’t change their driving behavior to increase gas mileage, cars may do it for them. In economy mode, a car turns off non-essential systems, turns down the A/C and even engages cruise control to conserve fuel.
(Source: Cars.com)
Reed Brothers Dodge is conveniently located on Route 355 at the Shady Grove Metro at 15955 Frederick Rd in Rockville, Maryland 20855. Call Reed Brothers Dodge in Rockville, Maryland at 877-681-5021 or visit our website www.reedbrothersdodge.com.
