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If there’s a clever feature in your car, it’s highly likely that the Internet of Things (IoT) was behind the idea. The integration of automated technologies in vehicles is steadily revolutionizing the industry, and it’s likely that cars will start to get even smarter over the next few years.
Whether you’re thinking of buying a car or upgrading your current vehicle soon, it’s always worth knowing about how the latest technologies could make a difference to your driving experience. Just don’t forget to know the laws on using a sat-nav or any other device while driving.
How is IoT used in cars?
IoT has extended its reach into the automotive sector. Through dashboard entertainment systems, connectivity features and safety enhancements, vehicles have become more advanced and simultaneously more convenient through automation.
A few of the automated enhancements in cars include:
- Enhanced safety through connectivity
With features like automatic emergency braking, collision avoidance, and real-time traffic updates, driver safety is enhanced and more accidents on the roads can be prevented.
In 2022 alone, there were an estimated 1,695 fatalities from reported road collisions in Great Britain. This figure is still alarming, but proves a 3% drop compared to 2019, the last pre-pandemic year.
Automated devices connect within your car to help you drive and manage hazards on the road, including pedestrians. For example, cars with parking cameras and sensors help you to perform your manoeuvre safely, while newer models might even be able to park independently.
- Smart navigation and real-time updates
Navigating by maps has been replaced by inbuilt navigation systems in cars.
Alongside using voice assistants like Siri in the car, drivers can use contactless, voice-controlled technology to be shown directions on an interactive map. There’s also usually the option to receive spoken directions, alerting drivers to upcoming junctions and roundabouts.
With these real-time updates delivered in a familiar and convenient format, fewer drivers will become stressed or overwhelmed by simply not knowing where they’re going. Personalised navigation assistance also helps drivers to optimise routes according to live traffic conditions.
- Vehicle diagnostics and predictive maintenance
IoT-connected cars can gather and transmit diagnostic data from systems and mechanisms within the vehicle. From live tyre pressure monitoring systems to the levels of coolant and oil under the bonnet, live messages delivered straight to the driver point out the problem immediately.
This accessible information allows vehicles to be checked over sooner, preventing minor issues from turning into much more serious issues over time. And if you’ve spent a lot of money on a new car, live diagnostics can be as valuable as gap insurance when it comes to protecting your asset.
- Info-entertainment systems
Information and entertainment systems in one make a valuable addition to any car. Whether you like to listen to your favourite tunes during the commute or need to look at a map while you navigate a long journey, smart computers in cars make almost anything possible.
They can even offer seamless integration with smartphones, connectivity with streaming services like Spotify, and personalised entertainment options for passengers sitting in the back seat.
Concluding thoughts
IoT has transformed the role and potential of our family cars. But don’t forget that even if your car includes some of the latest automated features, you still need to use them safely and responsibly.
