The automobile industry is effectively utilising the latest technologies to integrate innovative features and new car tech in modern cars. In the past two decades, the latest car models have not only made driving hassle-free but have enhanced the overall driving experience.
Today, we will take a look at the modern car features that have enhanced safety, added convenience and helped make driving more pleasant.
LATEST CAR TECHNOLOGY AND FEATURES
Here we have detailed some useful car features that you can look for when buying a new car model for yourself or family:
MASSAGE SEAT
The massage seats were once offered only in high-end luxury cars, but given its increasing demand, many auto manufacturers have introduced this feature in their mid-range vehicles. These massage seats offer ultimate comfort to drivers, especially when they are driving for long hours. The idea to introduce this feature in cars is to make driving pleasant and less stressful.
Besides, in some cars massage functions are only integrated in the driver’s seat, whereas, many car models offer this function to front and rear seat passengers as well.
Today, several modern cars come standard with massage functions integrated. These cars are best for drivers with back pain, as they can turn on this feature whenever needed to relieve pain.
AMBIENT LIGHTING
Many luxury and non-luxury modern cars feature this new car tech called ambient lighting. The lights mounted in the car’s cabin offer a soothing ambience to motorists and passengers. The ambient lighting is not only installed on the foot wells, but in some cars, the light also illuminates the cupholders, doors, climate control vents, dash trim and speaker surrounds.
In some car models, motorists can customise the ambient lighting colour, whereas, in some cars the lights pulsate with music. Each car brand has integrated ambient lighting to function uniquely, for instance, ambient lighting in Acura, Infiniti, Honda and Nissan models are subtle. Whereas, BMW, Porsche and Mercedes- Benz feature bright and loud ambient colours. Moreover, the latest Mercedes-Benz cars change the ambient colours slowly on the go.
If you are interested in buying a Mercedes-Benz model with ambient lighting feature, you can browse the list of these used Mercedes-Benz cars for sale in the UAE.
GESTURE AND VOICE CONTROLS
Gesture and voice controls can be referred to as one of the safety features in modern cars, as it was added in vehicles to minimise distraction while driving. Motorists can control the infotainment system without taking their eyes off the road. With this feature, they don’t have to tap on the dashboard screens or adjust knobs. With gesture control, motorists can adjust volume, attend or cancel calls (if phones are connected) and even change music on the playlist.
Besides, with voice control for instance, motorists can ask the virtual assistant to play a particular song or ask for the route to the nearest fuel station.
The gesture and voice controls improve a driver’s safety and experience on the go.
DRIVER DROWSINESS DETECTION
Driver drowsiness detection also known as drowsy driver alert system attention monitoring system is one of the modern safety features in cars that helps keep the driver alert and focused. Those who drive vehicles for long hours tend to fall asleep due to fatigue, which may result in road accidents. The sensor array in the driver drowsiness detection feature is programmed with some preset criteria to identify the driver’s road focus. For instance, the feature detects the driver’s blinks per minute to determine how attentively they are driving.
If the sensor detects a lapse in the driver’s concentration, it will alert the driver instantly.
The driver drowsiness detection feature in different car models by various automobile brands comes in multiple variations. For instance, in some car models the sensor will give an audible and visual warning to alert the driver. Whereas, drivers in other modern cars will be alerted by a steaming coffee cup’s image, stating ‘Take a Break.’
A few car models come with a camera installed to monitor the driver’s head position and eyes. Besides, in some cars there are steering wheel mounted sensors for monitoring driver’s movements.
Given the benefit of the feature, most modern cars today have driver drowsiness detection installed to ensure safety of motorists and others on the road.
Head-Up Displays (HUDs)
Head-up displays (HUD) is a new car tech integrated in modern vehicles to keep the drivers focused on the road. The HUD projects important information on the car’s windshield or a separate glass panel right in front of the driver. The driver thus does not need to take their eyes off the road to check information on the dashboard. HUD keeps the driver focused and helps prevent road accidents.
Some vehicles feature basic HUDs that project speed details and forward collision warning alerts. Whereas, advanced HUDs project various other information like safety alerts, infotainment information, tachometer, navigation cues including speed and collision warning alerts. Moreover, in advanced head-up displays, motorists have the option to customise the displayed information as per their preference.
Besides, single colour is used in basic HUDs,’ projection, whereas motorists can choose from different colours in the advanced HUDs.
WIRELESS SMARTPHONE CHARGING
Wireless smartphone charging pad is one of the modern car features that eliminates the need to carry a charging cable. The wireless charging pad is embedded in latest car models of nearly all the top car brands. You can charge your phone on the go by simply keeping your smartphone on the charging pad.
The charging pad uses the Qi charging standard to charge all the Qi-enabled devices. These charging pads in the car are installed primarily on the base of the dashboard or the centre console.
That said, smartphones with a thick or metal case cannot be charged on the charging pad. Even if the case does not hinder charging, it may get very hot.
360 DEGREE PARKING CAMERA
A 360-degree parking camera is another new car safety feature that assists motorists to safely park and take the car out of the parking space. This feature was first introduced in luxury cars, but now many auto cars brands have added 360-degree parking camera in almost every line of the car they produce.
This parking camera does not operate using just one camera, but consists of four cameras, installed on the rear and front bumpers and one under each side mirror. The four cameras are connected together with a software. The software captures the surrounding view from all the four cameras in real-time and provides a complete view to the drivers and enables them to make decisions accordingly.
Besides, the 360-degree parking camera installed in high segment cars may have more than four cameras to offer a more accurate perspective of the surrounding area.
CABIN AIR PURIFICATION
Cabin air purification, also known as air cabin filter, is a vital component installed in all modern cars. This component is installed in the cooling and heating system of cars to keep the car’s cabin free from pollen, dust and various harmful pollutants. The air cabin filter ensures that driver and passenger breath in an environment free from all types of contaminants. Besides, there are different types of air filters available that motorists can select according to the driving conditions and vehicles.
REVERSE DRIVE ASSIST
Reverse drive assist is one of the features that helps motorists to manoeuvre through narrow spaces. This feature helps drivers in situations when they reverse their car and then have to get back in the narrow space, if other vehicles are approaching. The reverse drive assist prevents motorists when manoeuvring from bumping into other vehicles or obstacles around such as sidewalls.
If the car is on a parking ramp, which is inclined in an upward direction, the driver can switch on the reverse drive assist. This feature then takes control of the car.
When a driver reverses the car from small spaces, the reverse drive assist records a minimum of 50 metres of that low speed drive. Therefore, the feature knows the accurate path. Hence, when the motorist presses the ‘reverse drive assist button’ in their car, the feature then retraces the recorded path and then controls the vehicle in lateral and longitudinal directions, accordingly. The car thus, safely gets back to its place without bumping into other vehicles and other obstacles.
PEDESTRIAN DETECTION
Another latest car technology is the pedestrian detection sensor. In many modern cars, this sensor is integrated with automatic emergency braking systems or forward collision warning systems. Upon detecting pedestrians, the sensor will alert the driver and apply brakes automatically. Moreover, cars with advanced pedestrian detection sensors can also detect big animals and bicycles.
However, despite driving a car with a pedestrian detection sensor, motorists should maintain their focus on the road, especially when manoeuvring.
The automobile industry is evolving and many top auto manufacturers are consistently working to add new car technologies to boost comfort and convenience. Hence, you will come across plenty of new car techs from time to time. Besides, if you are planning to buy a used car in the UAE, make sure it has all the important car features.
Stay tuned to the top auto blog of the UAE for more on different safety car features, latest car technologies, new car launches by different car brands and a lot more.
Related Posts
