We're quickly approaching the end of the calendar year, and you know what that means. Countless end of year auto awards will fill the internet in celebration of the best cars in 2015. We've already seen the acclaim start to pile in. Even here at Carsfresh, we like to give credit where it's due. Today, though, we thought we'd tackle something a little bit different from the conventional annual awards.
Rather than give praise to the best manufacturers of the year, we're going to be looking at the most exciting innovations of 2015. Let's analyze some of the things that made us weak at the knees, and what they mean for the industry as a whole moving forward.
Somewhere along the way, at least in the last few years, it was no longer enough just to design a good looking car that performs well. The advent of smart technology has changed the way the world thinks about, well, everything. Phones are no longer for making calls. Watches aren't just about telling the time. Hell, even glasses are being designed as something more than to just enhance your vision.
It's certainly no different in the auto industry, at least not anymore. All of the leading brands have been put under immense pressure to create new technologies that are, before anything else, cool. Some of them are totally superfluous, giving a wow factor more than anything that's actually useful. Others, though, are undoubtedly going to change the way we think about driving forever. Here are just a few of our favourites from this past year.
Rather than give praise to the best manufacturers of the year, we're going to be looking at the most exciting innovations of 2015. Let's analyze some of the things that made us weak at the knees, and what they mean for the industry as a whole moving forward.
Somewhere along the way, at least in the last few years, it was no longer enough just to design a good looking car that performs well. The advent of smart technology has changed the way the world thinks about, well, everything. Phones are no longer for making calls. Watches aren't just about telling the time. Hell, even glasses are being designed as something more than to just enhance your vision.
It's certainly no different in the auto industry, at least not anymore. All of the leading brands have been put under immense pressure to create new technologies that are, before anything else, cool. Some of them are totally superfluous, giving a wow factor more than anything that's actually useful. Others, though, are undoubtedly going to change the way we think about driving forever. Here are just a few of our favourites from this past year.
Autopilot On
For as long as we can remember, self-driving cars have been the dream for just about anybody. I mean, you can't beat the feeling of tearing it up on the roads yourself, but sometimes you just can't find the motivation. Especially when you're facing a long, boring, and thankless road trip. Autopilot has long been featured in movies depicting the future, but now, thanks to Tesla's innovations, it could be a reality. And sooner than we think.
Their software, now in Version 7.0 as of this year, was updated to include self-driving technology. While it has yet to be perfected, the latest version did include automatic steering along with its collision detection system. Parallel Parking, too, has just about been the scourge of any driver for as long as people have been stepping behind the wheel. So much so, that it's become something of a parody of itself. Not anymore, anyway.
That means that we're one step closer to completely driverless cars becoming a reality. It provides us with a glimpse into the future, where actually driving your car could become just an optional extra. Pretty exciting stuff, huh?
Smart Keys
Well, let's be honest. It wasn't going to be long before your car keys went the same way as your phone, tablet and watch, was it? In the last ten years, society has become obsessed with how much information they can cram into just one tiny screen. And that's exactly the trend that BMW capitalised on this year. Their new 7-Series comes with a totally electronic key fob.
On its display unit, which isn't that much bigger than a normal key fob, you can see pretty much any information you'd like about your car. You can even stop and start the engine with the touch of a button. No more fiddling, I guess! Like many other smart technologies, it also features wireless charging. So, you won't inadvertently find yourself locked in or out of your own car, with no way of going anywhere.
Okay, so it's not the most sophisticated technology we've seen this year, but it could be the most significant. Why? It shows that manufacturers are thinking about ways to give drivers more control over their vehicles. And that couldn't possibly be a bad thing, could it? If you're interested in owning this for yourself, see if you can find a 7-Series used BMW at TraversAutos.com.
For as long as we can remember, self-driving cars have been the dream for just about anybody. I mean, you can't beat the feeling of tearing it up on the roads yourself, but sometimes you just can't find the motivation. Especially when you're facing a long, boring, and thankless road trip. Autopilot has long been featured in movies depicting the future, but now, thanks to Tesla's innovations, it could be a reality. And sooner than we think.
Their software, now in Version 7.0 as of this year, was updated to include self-driving technology. While it has yet to be perfected, the latest version did include automatic steering along with its collision detection system. Parallel Parking, too, has just about been the scourge of any driver for as long as people have been stepping behind the wheel. So much so, that it's become something of a parody of itself. Not anymore, anyway.
That means that we're one step closer to completely driverless cars becoming a reality. It provides us with a glimpse into the future, where actually driving your car could become just an optional extra. Pretty exciting stuff, huh?
Smart Keys
Well, let's be honest. It wasn't going to be long before your car keys went the same way as your phone, tablet and watch, was it? In the last ten years, society has become obsessed with how much information they can cram into just one tiny screen. And that's exactly the trend that BMW capitalised on this year. Their new 7-Series comes with a totally electronic key fob.
On its display unit, which isn't that much bigger than a normal key fob, you can see pretty much any information you'd like about your car. You can even stop and start the engine with the touch of a button. No more fiddling, I guess! Like many other smart technologies, it also features wireless charging. So, you won't inadvertently find yourself locked in or out of your own car, with no way of going anywhere.
Okay, so it's not the most sophisticated technology we've seen this year, but it could be the most significant. Why? It shows that manufacturers are thinking about ways to give drivers more control over their vehicles. And that couldn't possibly be a bad thing, could it? If you're interested in owning this for yourself, see if you can find a 7-Series used BMW at TraversAutos.com.
Holograms
Not since Princess Leia first appeared before R2-D2 have we been as excited about hologram technology. Porsche, long renowned for their efforts in helping the driving experience to evolve, have struck gold once again. Their new Mission E, which is set to launch within the next five years, includes a totally holographic dashboard display.
The premise of the car itself is to build, finally, an all-purpose electric car that does not compromise in any area. Perhaps, even more, impressive is the way the holographic functions. The dashboard features eye-tracking technology, whatever that means, that can identify where you're looking. If it spots you trying to glance at your speed? It'll bring up the relevant display so that you can see exactly how fast you're driving.
You might fear that such technology could be prone to malfunctioning, but don't fear, Porsche has that covered. The simple click of a button, located on your steering wheel, can confirm or deny whether the eye-tracking software has succeeded. Astounding.
Not since Princess Leia first appeared before R2-D2 have we been as excited about hologram technology. Porsche, long renowned for their efforts in helping the driving experience to evolve, have struck gold once again. Their new Mission E, which is set to launch within the next five years, includes a totally holographic dashboard display.
The premise of the car itself is to build, finally, an all-purpose electric car that does not compromise in any area. Perhaps, even more, impressive is the way the holographic functions. The dashboard features eye-tracking technology, whatever that means, that can identify where you're looking. If it spots you trying to glance at your speed? It'll bring up the relevant display so that you can see exactly how fast you're driving.
You might fear that such technology could be prone to malfunctioning, but don't fear, Porsche has that covered. The simple click of a button, located on your steering wheel, can confirm or deny whether the eye-tracking software has succeeded. Astounding.
The Lazy Boy
Okay, real talk. Not many cars can be recognized for being the most comfortable places in the world, can they? By their very nature, they're often cramped and claustrophobic. Well, not if Volvo can help it. The Swedish manufacturer wants to make it so that your car is the most luxurious place on earth. How are they going to achieve that? By incorporating a 'relax' function.
Their latest concept car, Concept 26, is set to include 'drive,' 'relax,' and 'create' modes. You can trigger the change in modes at any time to optimize your driving (or relaxing, apparently) experience. So, what's the difference? In drive mode, your car will automatically reduce distractions around you. In relax mode, though, all bets are off. The seats will recline, a TV screen will replace the dashboard, and you can kick back without a care in the world.
Like most of these innovations, this technology is showing us what the world will be like once automated driving becomes a reality. And if these are anything to go by? That time can't come quickly enough.
Okay, real talk. Not many cars can be recognized for being the most comfortable places in the world, can they? By their very nature, they're often cramped and claustrophobic. Well, not if Volvo can help it. The Swedish manufacturer wants to make it so that your car is the most luxurious place on earth. How are they going to achieve that? By incorporating a 'relax' function.
Their latest concept car, Concept 26, is set to include 'drive,' 'relax,' and 'create' modes. You can trigger the change in modes at any time to optimize your driving (or relaxing, apparently) experience. So, what's the difference? In drive mode, your car will automatically reduce distractions around you. In relax mode, though, all bets are off. The seats will recline, a TV screen will replace the dashboard, and you can kick back without a care in the world.
Like most of these innovations, this technology is showing us what the world will be like once automated driving becomes a reality. And if these are anything to go by? That time can't come quickly enough.
