The automotive industry is constantly evolving, and manufacturers rely on innovation to help steer them towards a more transformative future that would allow them to incorporate more cutting-edge technologies to help create a safer, more efficient, and enjoyable driving experience.

There have already been monumental changes shaping the future of the automotive market. For starters, the popularization of electric powertrains has seen more legacy automakers electrifying their production line-ups as the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) becomes more widespread among climate-conscious consumers.

Second, technological advancements in the field of electric vehicle engineering have given way to a new generation of automotive capabilities. Automakers are looking to integrate more advanced, and highly sophisticated technologies into newer models, in turn allowing the industry to evolve alongside the technology that’s powering the industry.

Technology has helped redefine the driving experience. Not only this, digital technology has changed the way drivers interact with vehicles, and vehicles with their surroundings. Creating safer, more autonomous vehicles has taken a new direction, and technology will continue to drive the industry in a new direction. But where will we be heading in the coming years?

Technology On Our Roads

We’ve come a long way since the early days of the automotive industry. Our cars are not only faster and more efficient, but they’ve become cleaner, and more reliable and provide a safer driving environment that can automatically adjust to individual needs and provide an on-demand experience.

Our cars do more than take us from one place to another. Vehicles today can analyze individual preferences, monitor component health, and help keep us and those around us safer. However, what sort of technology is helping transform our driving and passenger experience, and what are the trends that will shape the future of the industry?

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems

ADAS or Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems is considered to be an umbrella term for a wider range of electronic systems that utilize various cameras, sensors, and detection technologies to help make more predictive decisions while on the road and create a safer driving environment.

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): This is a widely used safety feature that allows vehicles to automatically maintain a safe following distance from other cars. ACC employs sensor-reading technology to analyze surrounding traffic conditions, and will automatically communicate safer distance recommendations to drivers.
• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Braking systems have developed far beyond traditional Anti-locking Braking Systems or ABS. By using a combination of various digital infrared sensors, a vehicle can now monitor and detect potential collisions, which will in turn automatically engage brakes should a driver be too slow to respond. This feature helps to avoid potential collisions with other vehicles and create safer automatic reactions in situations where a driver is not capable of doing so themself.
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA): In newer vehicle models LKA signals can provide drivers with immediate alerts if they drift outside of their lane. This is done using a combination of satellite tracking and sensor technology that analyzes road conditions, including lane size and width to help keep vehicles within the right position of the road. Improvements to LKA now mean that vehicles can automatically steer back into a lane after drifting outside of the driving range.

Wireless Communication

Wireless technology and communication systems are responsible for a handful of digital features in today’s vehicles. Wireless technology is no longer limited to a selected range of features, but instead helps vehicles to function better and allow drivers to conduct more thorough diagnostic testing.

For instance, wireless communication services allow drivers to have access to a wide variety of satellite features, including navigation settings and location data. This technology is especially useful in emergencies, such as during a collision, or other motor vehicle-related emergencies.

Wireless features are not only important for geolocation but can be used to diagnose vehicle components, particularly parts of the vehicle that may have sustained damage during driving. For instance, vehicle manufacturers can now track and diagnose vehicle maintenance reports, allowing for accurate and reliable servicing of certain vehicle components.

Autonomous Driving

One development that has seen widespread adoption in recent years is the use of autonomous driving technology systems. Not all vehicles will come with autonomous driving features, however, legacy automakers are looking to incorporate more autonomous driving technology into various entry-level vehicles to help make driving more comfortable and efficient.

For those who are not yet familiar with these systems, autonomous driving is a driverless feature that allows vehicles to move from one position to another without requiring a driver to be present behind the wheel.

This technology makes use of a combination of various innovations, including satellite navigation, LIDAR technology which is a method of determining various objects within vehicle surroundings, and onboard sensors and cameras.

The self-driving car market may still be in its infancy, but some research estimates that autonomous driving systems could help reduce the number of accidents in Europe by 15 percent by 2030. Not only this, but the industry could create an additional $300 - $400 million in new revenue for the automotive industry.

Electric and Hybrid Models

Across the automotive industry, experts predict that the car of the future will be electric, or at least partially electric. Nearly one in every five cars sold in 2023 was an electric model, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). In total, there are more than 40 million, and counting electric vehicles registered across the world.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has helped clear the air on several myths that have claimed that electric vehicles are worse for the environment compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) models.

For one, EPA research suggests that EVs are cleaner, and more environmentally friendly over their lifetime compared to traditional gasoline models. This includes things such as battery manufacturing and greenhouse gas emissions released by power plants related to charging activities.

Not only this, but battery technology has significantly improved during the last decade. Modern EVs that entered the market after 2016 have had less than a 0.5% failure rate. Even more, a study of 15,000 vehicles showed that the earliest electric models through to 2023 had an average replacement rate of 2.5% outside of major recalls. By these performance indicators, it seems as if knowing dead car battery tricks will soon become a thing of the past.

Competition in the market is rapidly growing. More contenders are entering the marketplace, providing drivers with more affordable EV options. On top of this, legacy automakers are electrifying their future production lineups, giving this market segment a significant boost.

Vehicle Operating Systems

One of the most important components of any modern vehicle is the operating system software that helps to power and maintain various digital features such as infotainment centers, navigational settings, and other driver-assistant functions.

The integration of vehicle operating systems allows manufacturers to ensure that software and hardware functions are aligned. Part of this includes the use of software systems that help to manage in-vehicle entertainment systems, autonomous driving features, and driver assistance technology, such as ADAS.

More than this, operating systems make it possible for vehicles to track and analyze driver data. For instance, insurance companies can now monitor driver behavior and adjust insurance policies and premiums based on these analytics.

By using OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer analytics, both insurance providers and vehicle manufacturers can monitor driver engagement with various vehicle components, analyze multiple data sources, and create more tailored experiences and outcomes based on driver behavior and product interactions.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

The acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI) integrations has allowed manufacturers and engineers to create a variety of protocols that use machine learning technology to make more precise and accurate decisions for drivers.

The popularity of in-vehicle computer systems built using artificial intelligence has allowed for more optimized computing and processing models. For example, Nvidia’s Drive Service processing microchips embed a large quantity of AI-powered features that can now power the entirety of a vehicle's onboard operating system.

AI-powered driver technology allows for more efficient vehicle functionality, while machine learning technology can help with voice assistant features, which can help improve onboard experiences, security, and navigational settings.

Aside from personal experiences, machine learning and AI technology can help with predictive maintenance, helping to keep drivers more informed about vehicle components. These features can reduce possible vehicle downtime, and help act as a cost-saving measure for drivers.

It’s important to mention that AI functionality is present across various parts of vehicle performance. From onboard entertainment to driver monitoring, and environment analysis, these features all help to create a safer and more relaxed driving experience.

Vehicle customization

Consumers are asking for more of their vehicles. The modern driver wants a more personalized experience that automatically adjusts to their preferences. Manufacturers are looking to push the bar even further in the coming years, which could see more widespread adoption of AI-powered features to accurately analyze driver behavior and traits.

For one, connectivity will play an important role, which would enable drivers to seamlessly connect mobile and smart devices with vehicles. We’re already seeing on-board entertainment systems that can now act as personal assistants, similar to what we’ve seen with Amazon Alexa and Apple’s Siri.

Cars will become digital libraries of their drivers, containing a vast amount of personal information, from addresses to appointments, and even music preferences. This sort of interaction helps to breach a new level of driver experiences that will become unmatched in the near future.

However, more technology isn’t always better. Manufacturers are constantly faced with new threats and in this case, a cybersecurity breach of a vehicle or multiple vehicle operating systems can create devastating results. Our cars hold a tremendous amount of data, and this information can be highly dangerous should it end up in the wrong hands.

Where Will We Go Next?

Looking to the future of the automotive industry it’s clear that new technological developments will help make our cars safer, smarter, and a lot more efficient. We’ve already entered a new period of automotive technology that allows us to create more personalized driving experiences, allowing us better comfort and more flexibility.

For much of history, the automotive industry has helped spearhead the development of new technologies and digital tools. By putting these digital systems to the test, we’ve created cars that are far beyond moving vessels, but instead have become living computers on wheels.

Though challenges of cost, competition, and cybersecurity risks remain a thorn in the side of the automotive industry, looking ahead we will see our vehicles adapt more appropriately to our needs, and preferences, while enhancing the driving experience, and bearing in mind more sustainable efforts for our planet.