Last week I talked about 10 automotive technologies that fulfill their duty of making a driver's life better in one or more ways. Most of them were not particularly cutting edge, because "cutting edge" and "making life better" rarely go together when discussing technology.
So for the final week of 2009 I'm going to list the automotive technologies I'd like to see transition from theoretical to actual in their mission of making our lives better. Herewith are the 10 Automotive Technologies to (hopefully) Emerge in 2010:
1. Keyless Start: I have to hit this one after railing on it recently. The fix is pretty easy. First, always provide a slot to insert the keyfob in the dash, even if it's not necessary to start the car. Second, never let the car start/run when the key is outside of the cabin. Some keyless start systems already offer one or both of these options, but far too many still don't (either by design or because the technology simply fails -- i.e. cars that start/run without the key anywhere near them).
2. Mobile Wi-Fi: This technology is transitioning from niche to mainstream, and in the next 12 months I expect even non-techies to become aware of it and want it. But having internet acces while at the wheel is only the beginning. The real trick will be making online activity compatible with driving, assuming that's possible...
3. Mobile Entertainment: We recently reported on Chrysler's efforts in this area. As with mobile Wi-Fi, I expect on-board TV access to go mainstream because it no longer requires a satellite dish or antenna the size of a hang glider. Obviously viewing is only appropriate for rear-seat passengers, though just being able to listen to certain TV programming (like local news and sports activity) will appeal to many drivers.
4. Night/Enhanced Vision: Another technology that's been around for years on high-end models but is poised to go mainstream in the near future. The biggest obstacle is cost, though poor execution has plagued these systems from day one. Put simply, enhanced vision needs to actually serve the driver by identifying real dangers and putting that information where the driver can use it (i.e. in front of him, not down in the center stack).
5. Pedestrian Safety: I've been bemoaning the impact of Europe's pedestrian safety laws on front-end styling for years. It sucked the "sleek" out of several formerly-appealing models, but a creative use of advanced sensors, concealed exterior airbags and/or explosive hood-mounting hardware might pull us back from the high-hoodline brink we're spiraling toward. Or maybe it's just wishful thinking.
6. Hybrid Drivetrains: Almost there, but I'm still not thrilled with the majority of hybrid drivetrains. At least the EPA testing tweak of 2008 addressed their biggest problem (eternally optimistic mileage ratings), yet I still want higher speeds in pure electric mode (Fusion Hybrid is a step in the right direction) and a smaller price premium over traditional drivetrains. Future hybrid development must address the latter issue before market share can surpase 3-4 percent.
7. Automotive iPhone (or Droid) Apps: Plenty of activity here in the past 12 months, with apps to measure vehicle performance, monitor mechanical status, remember where you parked and remotely start your engine. Expect the unexpected in the next 12 months as programmers come up with solutions to problems we didn't know exist. I'm waiting for the app that lets me hang my iPhone on the back of any car and stream the camera image to the LCD screen -- instant back-up camera!
8. Self-Aware Cars: Combine GPS with mobile Wi-Fi access and what do you have? The makings of an automotive network that will let every car talk to every other car (or at least the cars nearby). Now combine the system with electronic vehicle controls and you could theoretically prevent all automotive collisions. Will this system be up-and-running in 2010. No. But the technology is largely in place, so expect to hear a lot more about it in the next 12 months.
9. Accurate Fuel Cost Measurement: This isn't a technology in and of itself. Rather it's a technology-driven issue that must be addressed soon. You can get the full story here, but in short we need a method to measure and report vehicle fueling costs; one that takes electricity into account. A 230 mpg claim by GM sounds great, but is the Volt really five times more fuel efficient (and 20 percent cheaper to fuel) than a Prius? No, and we need a measurement to accurately reflect this.
10. Car/Cell Phone Interface: I want a standardized system that lets any cell phone interface with any car. I'm talking more than just a USB connection for playing music or accessing a contact list. I want full GPS navigation, traffic information and all future mobile applications to "talk" to any car I'm driving. This should include a mounting system that lets my phone's video screen serve as an information screen just as built-in LCD screens do today. Again, the interface should be quick (like fastening a seat belt) and universal. I'd love to see at least the groundwork for such a system in the next 12 months.
These are the technologies I see emerging in the next 12 months, transitioning from "Geek Squad" status to mainstream problem solving. Do you agree? Did I miss anything?
By blueguydotcom
on December 22, 2009
07:23 AM
Agree about keyless start - save for the thing about a place to put the key. I really, really don't understand the need. I NEVER put my BMW's key in the slot. There was no point to ever take the key from my pocket.
Reasonable GPS... it's coming. Mazda is getting it rolling with their mini navi in the Mazda3 but in the next few years I'm expecting to see more and more cars including navi in their touchscreen/dash screens as standard equipment. Most likely Acura or Hyundai will go there first, dragging along the likes of cash-suckers like Audi/BMW/MB/Lexus. In 2010 there's no reason GPS is still busting $1500 or even $500. At one time, AC was an extra cost option. No it's nearly impossible to buy a car without it. Navi is over 20 years old and handheld devices are less than $100. That's no reason it should be expensive.
Back up cameras - it's showing up on cheaper cars (Prius for one) and like GPS the technology is stupid cheap and easy to make standard on any car with a dash screen. Again, a $20 color camera and almost no programming.
By trackwrex
on December 22, 2009
11:09 AM
Hi Karl,
It's such an exciting time! Actually, a lot of these categories fall into the "proposed" (and fast-developing) Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) technologies that utilize the DSRC (Dedicated Short-Range Communications). Where the car and the environment that it's around communicate back and forth to one another. There's so much possibility available at our fingertips...
Here's some additional info for you:
http://www.omniair.org/vii/
http://www.intellidriveusa.org/
http://www.its.dot.gov/index.htm
-Rex
(yeah, i geek out about this stuff)
By greenpony
on December 23, 2009
04:22 PM
If they can design them right, more power to them. But make them optional, not compulsory, as many technologies have become.