Consumers have high expectations when it comes to technology
With major brands setting new goals and precedents for what devices can do, it’s understandable that there’s a lot of pressure to deliver advanced products and services. The adage ‘out with the old, in with the new’ has never been truer, as research from Ericsson highlights that 6-in-10 expect that by 2030, just thinking “show map” when wearing Augmented Reality (AR) glasses will bring up a map.
This will seem outlandish to many, but it’s a testament to unerring faith that we’re moving at an accelerated pace towards new technological heights, and that by 2030 we’ll be basking in the light of new gadgets and their impressive capabilities. Whether reasonable or not, consumer want next-generation devices now. While it’s interesting to consider what’s on the horizon in 2030 or 2050, we must ask ourselves what technology will take hold this year?
In 2022, one space that’s seeing great strides in integrated IoT is the automotive industry. A lot of astonishing technology milestones are happening now, and in this article, we’ll explore they look like, and what they mean for drivers with vehicles currently circulating in the market.
The car of tomorrow – not as far away as you think
During CES 2022 prototypes were debuted as teasers of technology to come – we saw BMW showcase a 31-inch display ‘Theatre Screen’ for its vehicles, and Cadillac boast with its autonomous, luxe Innerspace concept car. Although these might seem like pipe dreams, in 2022 the car is turning into a ‘smartphone on wheels’ – vehicles now do a lot more than just help you get around, with integrated technology making transport greener and smarter, and turning cars into tech-enhanced machines; you can access services from central consoles, leverage advanced infotainment systems, and benefit from new levels of convenience.
These changes are happening now and changing the way we view driving. For instance, with strides being made across location and parking services in-car, drivers can now alternate between their parking app, navigation services, music, and messaging, more seamlessly than ever before. Motorists no longer have to juggle multiple touchpoints. Instead, they can find all the necessary tools on their central in-car console.
Combining these innovations with ways to make cars cleaner, economical and more efficient is what will revolutionise the auto space. It’s about making sure that drivers are equipped with tools to make their journeys that bit easier. These not only have benefits for the user experience, but also trickle-down positives for transport efficiency. After all, a seamless journey is a greener journey, so what does that look like for drivers of today?
The ways technology can improve the urban experience
In-car technology isn’t just about convenience – it helps create cleaner and more liveable towns and cities as well. Tackling pollution in urban areas is vital, and more efficient vehicles will help do this. The problem is inescapable – some 40 million people in the 115 largest cities in the European Union (EU) are exposed to air exceeding WHO air quality guideline values for at least one pollutant. Children living near roads with heavy-duty vehicle traffic have twice the risk of respiratory problems as do those living near less congested streets.
To combat mounting environmental challenges, new technological innovations are the answer. They can highlight congested routes and locate parking spaces, help lower air pollution levels, and reduce the unnecessary burning of fossil fuels, whilst making travel quicker and more efficient. In conjunction with these advances, the electrification of transport networks will also help reimagine fuel usage – ousting our reliance on fossil fuels, with their increasing volatile costs, and creating clean air for residents in towns and cities.
In this way, we can see that drivers start to reduce their road travel time. This has knock-on benefits for reducing congestion in cities and transport bottlenecks. When it comes to transport, drivers circling for parking spaces, getting lost and travelling along more complicated routes, while using less fuel-efficient cars, contribute more to air pollution. With more resourceful technology in cars, we can see that automotive advancement becomes more than just an embellishment – it’s a transport game-changer.
About the Author
Peter O’Driscoll, Managing Director, RingGo. RingGo is the parking app that ensures a stress-free journey every time. RingGo provides cashless parking solutions for 100s of local councils, towns, cities and private operators around the UK and is trusted by over 18 million motorists.
Featured image: ©DedMityay
