Imagup General Magazine 2024
As you know, a car is now the most common means of transportation. It makes it easy to get to work, go to the supermarket, or to a nearby restaurant. In addition, it’s an indispensable travel assistant – according to Renatl24h.com, by picking up Miami car rental under 21 you can travel around the USA at your own pace. Of course, this service can be used in almost any country in the world.
In modern cars, both premium and budget segment, the functionality is mainly focused on safety, improving driving comfort. The automotive industry is a niche where technology is developing very fast. Rear-view cameras, navigation devices, and touch displays, which have become standard features in modern vehicles, provide drivers and passengers with safe and comfortable trips.
Of course, this is only a small part of the technological functionality of a modern car. Below are some interesting features that will be very useful to the driver…
Brake-Drying System
When driving through puddles, as well as in rain, moisture gets on the brake discs of the car. This can provoke slippage of the brake pads, which increases the braking distance and increases the risk of an emergency.
BMW installs a brake-drying system on its vehicles to improve driving safety. It’s activated by a rain sensor and then moves the brake pads closer to the brake discs, keeping them dry and improving performance in wet weather conditions.
Traffic Light Alert System
The expectation of green light seems to be an eternity for the drivers. In order to distract from the painful expectation, they come up with different entertainment, or something else. Often these activities are captivating, and the driver misses the long-awaited green signal.
Subaru has developed a solution to this problem. A function in the EyeSight safety system tells the driver when to start driving. A beep sounds to alert the bus driver to pull off.
Driver Fatigue Monitoring System
Microsleep is a short-term state of sleep that occurs while driving, even if the eyes remain open. Many find it difficult to determine when it’s best to stop the car to rest or have a cup of coffee.
Several automotive companies, including Mercedes, Volvo and Nissan, have developed the Driver Fatigue Monitoring System to prevent accidents resulting from drowsy driving.
The Volvo system with a rear-view camera scans the driver, monitors the movements of the eyes and head, determining the beginning of sleep. When symptoms of a dangerous condition are detected, it gives a signal to the driver. In Mercedes cars, the steering wheel begins vibrating when the system notices that the driver begins to fall asleep. Also, the system helps keep the car on the right traffic lane.
Lane Keeping Assistant
Autopilots are still in the testing phase, but their individual functions are already actively used. There are systems that adjust the speed and, if necessary, turn independently. Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keep Assistant (LKAS) systems have already proven their worth. They increase safety by keeping the car in its traffic lane without slowing down.
Both technologies use cameras mounted behind the windshield to track road markings. The LDW system uses an audible warning or vibration to notify the driver of a lane change, while LKAS applies physical steering corrections by automatically keeping the vehicle within the right lane.
Electronic Stability Control
Most drivers don’t know when the electronic stability control system (ESC) is activated on their vehicles. This is indicated by an instantly illuminated indicator on the dashboard.
When the sensors determine that the car is entering too far into a turn, at the risk of getting off the road, the ESC system uses brakes on one or more wheels to control the movement of the car. The function is activated not only during sharp turns but also when tires get on a wet or icy road.
Built-in Vacuum Cleaner
According to various specialized organizations, car owners annually spend huge amounts on washing and cleaning the passenger compartment. The reason is the lack of comfortable conditions for self-cleaning. It’s very inconvenient every time to roll out of the garage or take out a vacuum cleaner from the house for cleaning, so many drivers prefer to use the services of car washes.
Honda Odyssey solves this problem – the designers included a hidden built-in vacuum cleaner in the design of the car. Its long hose reaches the farthest corners of the cabin. This is a practical solution for those who strive to maintain constant cleanliness in the car.
Tire Pressure Monitoring
Optimal pressure in tires increases their service life and fuel efficiency, as well as reduces the accident rate. Most drivers don’t know that their car is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). It has been installed on almost all cars since 2008 and warns of a 25% reduction in tire pressure.
At the same time, pumping is not always convenient, especially when traveling on country roads. Also, this is a tedious process that requires accuracy. The next step for car manufacturers should be a system that regulates tire pressure without driver intervention.
