How Cars Will Be Made Safer in the Future
We have already entered an age in which cars are steadily advancing towards becoming driverless. In the meantime, there is a host of safety features being installed onto each new model from all manufacturers to make sure that driving is a safer and more enjoyable experience. In this article, we are going to be talking about some of the features that are already in development or ones which have started to be installed into new cars. It is highly likely that many of these will become standard in the not too distant future.
Vehicle to Vehicle Communication
Self-driving cars need to be able to interact closely with the world around them in order to operate safely. Obviously, the first thing needed is that you can program the GPS coordinates into your car and it follows the route set. But it will also need to be fitted with a raft of sensor technology systems so cars can communicate with each other, as well as being able to detect other things around them including pedestrians, bicycles etc. As well as this, they will also need to be able to interact with existing road infrastructure such as traffic lights. As cars become more advanced, you can expect them to take over parts of the driving experience – at least the ones involved in preventing accidents. In the meantime, it is still useful to know about car accident lawyers. Responding to an accident in the right way is always going to be important.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Slippery or wet road surfaces are one of the main causes of accidents out on the roads. While anti-lock braking systems have been around for quite a few years now, tractions control systems are now becoming more readily available. In the past, they have been the preserve of some of the most exclusive cars on the roads. Essentially, the way TCS works is to ensure that wheels do not spin when driving away or accelerating. As much as possible, this helps you when you are trying to battle with extreme driving situations.
Active Kinematics Control
Active kinematics control works by the rear wheels assisting the front steering angle giving the car an enhanced sense of stability and control when changing direction. When the car is steered, this will trigger electronically controlled active track actuators in the suspension of each rear wheel. This type of technology helps to pave the way for new chassis innovation options. Porsche is an example of a manufacturer which has embraced the AKC system. At speeds lower than 60, it turns rear wheels in the opposite direction to front steering to enhance agility and maneuverability. Over 60, it steers rear wheels in the same direction as the front wheels.
Integrated Brake Control
Integrated brake control will go into mass production next year, and many manufacturers are likely to start looking at this as a standard option. This type of system is designed to support both standard braking features and semi-automated driving functions. Essentially, the way this system works is with a high-precision actuator driven by a fast-paced electric motor. It is designed to make the braking process much more effective.
Driver Attention Monitor
Driver attention monitors are currently being pioneered by the likes of Honda and focus on the way that you are driving. For example, if the sensors detect that you have been looking away from the road for a prolonged period of time, a warning sound will draw the attention forward again. If the system detects that you are tired, it will alert you and suggest that you take a break. In the future, it could even detect signs from your body that something is not safe on the roads and it will then apply the proper preventative or protective measures for you.
These are just a few examples of the features that will become standard in the future of driving. A host of manufacturers are queueing up to find ways to cut back on the number of injuries and fatalities on the roads – and there are some pretty ambitious targets being discussed. This level of competition can only be a good thing for drivers as it will mean that you have a much greater sense of security and peace of mind whenever you sit behind the wheel of a car. Of course, the eventual aim is for driverless cars to provide total road security, but we still seem to be a long way off this happening at the moment.