All posts tagged auto technology

Auto Technology: Cool Innovations That Will Make You a Better Driver

Driving has come a long way, so to speak, since the days of Henry Ford and his pioneering development of mass production automobiles. Ford embraced technology as an ally to help him attain his vision of average Americans being able to afford a car; since then, technology has shifted towards improving the overall driving experience. The following five innovations have been specially designed to make driving easier, more enjoyable and safer:

Backup Cameras

Throwing gears into reverse and assuming an awkward position of embracing the passenger seat and twisting your entire body while sitting down sounds like a complex yoga pose, but this is the reality of backing up without the benefit of a digital camera that lets you see exactly what is happening beyond the rear bumper of your car. The latest cameras even display the action on the rear view mirror to take advantage of the driving paradigm of glancing at the mirror to see objects behind you.

GPS Systems

Road navigation systems are often taken for granted these days, but there was a time when getting lost on the roads was a frequent and risky proposition. The best GPS application for automotive use are the type built into the dashboard infotainment unit, but even a mounted smartphone with the right mobile app can help these days.

Wireless Chargers

Smartphone integration with vehicles is only safe when it is done correctly. To this effect, modern wireless chargers do away with the risk of having to fumble with tangled cords while driving. Plus, some of them, like those from TYLT, are purposefully meant to be kept at the same level as the road as to prevent drivers from becoming too distracted.

Smart On-Board Diagnostics

The standard OBD II port in modern vehicles used to be reserved for auto technicians who operated expensive equipment to determine what the engine computer had to say about its condition. These days, smart OBDII scanners are affordable and can interface with mobile apps to let drivers and car owners know exactly what is happening to their engines, thereby making them better informed about the overall state of their vehicles.

Hands-Free Communications

Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Microsoft Link are primarily designed to make driving safer by allowing drivers to control infotainment systems with their voices and not with their hands. As these smartphone integration standards become smarter, drivers can keep their hands on their steering wheels while they make phone calls, reply to text messages and retrieve information with their voice.

How many of the five above innovations do you currently have access to? Hopefully, you can now see what value that they can bring to your life and will take the necessary steps to invest in them. We all want to be safe on the road and by taking advantage of new technology, we can do just that.

Car Tech in 2015: Exciting Advancements to Look for This Year

Not only has technology improved how we communicate and interact with each other but it has also improved the actual driving experience. There was once a time where the only features in a car were air-conditioning and a radio, but now there are an abundance of technological advancements that make a car more enjoyable to drive. While it may take time for the world to warm up to, car technology is taking over the automobile world. Here is a look at some of 2015’s best car technologies to get excited for this year:

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Smartphones have become important in how we choose to live our everyday lives and now it will become an integrated element in how we drive our cars. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will lead the way. By connecting a USB cord from your phone to your car, and the click of one button, Apple or Android interface will appear on the car’s touch screen. This innovative technology allows drivers to talk on their phone, text, get directions and play music from their phone without it being in their hand.

Further Development of Self Driving Cars

While the concept of a self-driving car is relatively new, it has gained a lot of traction in the last year, and will gain even more in 2015. At the 2015 Consumer Electronic Show, an Audi A7 Piloted Concept was driven 560 miles from San Francisco to Las Vegas as a test drive. Seeing that it held up, more cars will begin to reveal their renditions of self-driving cars and jump on this exciting bandwagon..

Gesture Control

The ability to control something without touching it could come in handy, especially while driving. It actually eliminates the act of taking your eyes off the road and relying on your ability to remember where things are. Gesture control technology will enable you to turn up the volume, or turn down the heat by simply raising your hand, and control basic features without taking your eyes off the road.

Lane Change Assistance

This technology isn’t brand new, however, developments continue to improve lane keeping features to help drivers stay safe. While most users probably won’t find this as “sexy” as self-driving cars, it is definitely cutting edge and useful. Each year, there are plenty of lane changing accidents and this technology is here to eliminate some of it by examining the traffic and giving proper signals when it is ok to change lanes.

Wi-Fi Capabilities

2014 already marked the start for cars equipped with Wi-Fi, but that mostly only featured high class cars like Audi, Mercedes and BMW. In 2015, GM will take a crack at installing Wi-Fi in their latest modeled cars. OnStar will provide the Wi-Fi services through a subscription plan that will require users to pay for it after so long.

These technologies will change the way cars are driven in the new year. The technology we use in our everyday lives are intertwined with how we use transportation, and this integration will only continue as technology advances.

The information for this article was provided by the professionals at the Speedy Apollo Auto Service Centres who provide oil change services in Calgary.

5 Inside Tips for Anyone Buying a New Car in 2015

Each year, vehicle designers, developers, and marketers make changes and improvements to models that have been around for decades in order to enhance the driving (or riding) experience. While many new features merely act as marketing gimmicks, there are some new features that can actually be beneficial. If you’re in the market for a new car, the following insider tips will help you narrow down your choices and find the perfect car in 2015.

Search for Technology that Suits Your Needs

Do you live in a major city that offers only the smallest of parking spaces? Where will your new sales job take you this year? Do you spend most of your days driving kids to school, violin lessons, and karate? The main use of your vehicle will help determine what technology to look for when car shopping. One of the most sought after tech features of 2015 is Internet connectivity. Cars such as the new 2015 Audi A3 and brand new Chevy Silverado 1500 both offer a wireless Internet connection. Whether you’re on a long road trip with the kids, or want access to all your files or information remotely, Internet access has many benefits.

For those stay-at-home moms or busy families that are always on the go, cars like the 2015 Kia Sedona SX-L are a great option. Like the Ford Escape, the rear door opens automatically if you approach the vehicle with an armful of bags. Known as the Smart Power Liftgate, similar technology is fast becoming standard on SUV, crossovers and minivans from many auto manufacturers.

Purchase a Car with New Safety Features to Keep Your Insurance Rates Down

If you’re looking to keep your insurance premiums to a minimum in 2015, consider buying a car with exceptional safety features. The 2015 Hyundai Genesis Sedan offers a number of improved safety features that will both save your life and keep your pocketbook happy. The lane keeping assistant, radar cruise control and emergency auto braking feature have all been available on luxury cars in previous years, and Hyundai has now brought them to a car that the average American can afford. Consider these features when purchasing a new car if you plan on driving long distances with your family or friends.

Check New Prices for Luxury Vehicles

Prices have declined for some of the major luxury car models in the past couple years, and this year is no different. A brand new Mercedes Benz C Class Sedan used to come with a sticker price of more than $45,000. Now, middle class consumers can afford an entry level model for less than $39,000. Other new cars, including the Audi A3 and Buick can be purchased for less than $30,000.

Look for New Technology in Sports Cars

Sports cars have come a long way in recent years. If you’re a two door enthusiast, don’t be surprised to find an abundance of technology features packed into your dream ride. The 2015 Ford Mustang is a great example. From an advanced navigation system to an integrated mobile apps feature, this is a prime choice for spontaneous cross-country drivers.

Determine Your Insurance Premium by Purchasing the Right Car

While purchasing a vehicle with new safety features is a great way to save on monthly insurance premiums, you can save even more by researching which car models can significantly reduce the money that comes out of your pocket for coverage. Before you purchase a car, compare insurance rates on multiple models to see which one fits your budget.

2015 will be a great year for new car models, especially when you consider the new technology that will be introduced by many of the brands. When shopping for a new car in 2015, be sure to consider your monthly budget, technology needs, safety preferences, and you’ll be more satisfied with your purchase.

The information for this article was provided by the professionals at Registrations Are Us who offer Spruce Grove license renewal and vehicle registration.

Safe and Sound – Exciting New Vehicle Safety Features Coming in 2015

Exciting new technology abounds in the world of automotive safety, and if you’re buying a new car in 2015, it could save your life. ‘Passive’ safety technology – engineering that mitigates potential injury in an accident – is always essential, but new, ‘active’ systems are now working to prevent collisions from even occurring. Here’s a look at four of the best car safety features coming up in 2015.

Lane Keeping Assist

Lane departure warnings aren’t new in 2015, but they’re quickly improving and fast becoming an industry standard in safety technology. In these systems, a camera (or multiple cameras) keep virtual eyes on the lines of the lanes on the road. If the onboard computer perceives a potentially dangerous drift, the driver receives a warning. The warning begins in the form of an audible noise, a simulated ‘rumble’ in the steering wheel, or both. In the latest versions, that warning is followed by an automated correction – the car keeps itself in the lane. As described in this article by Motor Review, these systems vary in their techniques, and only a few get real style points, but we can all think of a time when we wish the car next to us had one.

Forward Collision Mitigation

Just like lane keeping assist, forward collision mitigation systems track the situation outside of the car and can progress to taking matters into their own ‘hands.’ They, too, use front-mounted cameras or similar radar systems to detect the presence of cars ahead, keeping a close virtual eye on their distance.
When the systems deem that the distance between you and the car ahead is closing too quickly, they’ll move through increasingly urgent warnings. In the latest systems, they’ll (subtly) begin the breaking process for you, and if you don’t react in time, apply break pressure to stop the car (or at least to reduce the force of the impact).

Adaptive Cruise Control

Cruise control used to be a slightly awkward combination of automatic throttling and coasting, but that’s simply no longer the case. Working with both of the technologies described above, adaptive cruise control does exactly what its name implies, making it safer than ever to take your foot off the pedal.
Adaptive cruise control technology works much like forward collision mitigation. As described in this ExtremeTech article, the car uses a radar system to monitor and control its position in traffic, smoothly adjusting its speed based on the driver’s preferred maximum speed and safe driving distance. This means, finally, an end to fiddling with the cruise control wand whilst trying to maintain the precise speed of the car ahead.

Blind-Spot Detection & Monitoring

It’s all too easy to find yourself stuck in the blind spot of the car next to you, and just as easy to miss the car stuck in yours. Blind spot monitoring now comes in a couple of flavors, with the most common systems using a simple sensor system to flash a warning light when a car is present in your blind spot.
The newest models, though, now come equipped with advanced systems like Honda’s Side Minder blind spot ‘eraser’ that provide the driver with live video of the blind spot when the turn signal is activated. As systems like these find their way into more new vehicles, they’ll undoubtedly go on to turn everyday "close calls" into easily avoided non-events.

As with most new automotive technology, many of the systems described here have been available in high-end models well before the 2015 model year. This year, though, anyone buying a new car will likely enjoy any or all of these systems in at least their most basic forms. As time goes on and security standards advance with the technology they represent, this trend will only continue to save lives.

The information for this article was provided by the legal professionals of Howard Yegendorf & Associates, who are motor vehicle accident lawyers in Ottawa.