By Paige Willis on September 24, 2020 in safe driving
From Wi-Fi on the road to near perfect lane assists, car technology is improving at an impressive pace. Technology exclusive to high-end cars is now available for the everyday sedan (lucky us). Level up with these five impressive car technologies and gadgets!
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Why do people prefer map applications on a smartphone when convenient GPS systems are installed in most cars today? Whether it’s your personally selected voice on Maps or the quick re-routes of Waze, we all have our own reasons for preferring a certain app! Apple CarPlay and Android Auto bring a simplified version of your phone’s screen to your car’s dashboard display. Both of these services advertise a safer way to drive by minimizing phone use while still allowing the familiar accent of British Siri to warn you about your next turn. To use these all-star functions, the car must come equipped with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Check your next car’s features and be sure one or both are on the list!
Blind Spot Assistance
Consumer Reports defines blind spot warning (BSW) as, “systems [that] use cameras, radar, and/or ultrasonic sensors alongside your vehicle to detect vehicles you can’t see that are next to our behind your car.” This new tech will give you a visual or audio warning when a vehicle is riding in your “blind spot”. Advanced systems can include brake intervention in case the warning is not enough! When searching for this feature, be on the lookout for its various names:
- Blind Spot Information
- Blind Spot Detection
- Side Blind Zone Alert
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Blind Spot Collision Warning
- Blind Spot Assist
Note: Use this in addition to the over-the-shoulder quick check taught in Driver’s Education. It’s always better to double up on safety!
Lane-Keeping Assist
This is the car equivalent of coloring in the lines. Lane-keeping assist is a feature that keeps your vehicle in your lane by alerting you with a sound, flashing light, or vibration when you begin drifting into another lane. If you don’t take action, the steering wheel will start gently steering you back. While this feature may seem like magic, there are cameras on the car’s body that can read lines on the road and determine lane boundaries. Gain safety for your vehicle and trendy points with your passengers by having this feature!
Note: This works best on highway roads. Be cautious when driving windy or snowy roads.
Keyless
If you have a bottomless pit of a purse or pockets full of snacks, coins, receipts and more – this is a MUST have for you. You can unlock and start your car as long as the key is within a certain radius of the vehicle. Keyless entry and pushbutton start systems detect your key fob is nearby and unlock the door when you pull the handle. Plus, you don’t even have to get the key out to lock it – you can just touch a button on the handle to lock up! Convenience to the max here!
Automatic Emergency Braking
Automatic emergency braking systems, according to NHTSA, detect forward collisions with other vehicles in time to stop the crash. First, these systems alert the driver that their vehicle is approaching another car/object. If the driver doesn’t act quick enough, the car will automatically brake to avoid a collision. This feature has proven incredibly helpful in heavy traffic when drivers get easily distracted. With you and your car both inclined to stop, the road might be a safer place!
Car companies continue to push the boundaries of technology, and we can’t wait to see what comes next. Make sure your car insurance is as up to date as the tech in your car!