If there’s one thing that we can take away from this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, it’s that our driving experience is about to be revolutionised by technology – from the inside out. BMW, Volkswagen and Audi, to name a few, all presented their innovative ideas at CES 2016 to transform the inside of our cars using futuristic technology.
Here are some of the ways that technology is changing the future of car interiors:
Augmented Reality Software
This technology has seen a huge rise in popularity recently, with the Oculous Rift headset ready for release this year – augmented reality is gearing to be the next big thing. This article featured on Motorburn mentions Jaguar Landrover’s ideas for a ‘360 Ritual Urban Windscreen’ which would use Augmented Reality software and big data to project potential hazards and navigation systems onto the window as you drive, allowing you to keep your eyes on the road.
Flexible Displays
Flexible displays could help to improve car safety (Image source: FlexEnable)
Safety is one of the most important issues when it comes to cars. Thankfully, the possible introduction of flexible displays into vehicles may help to eradicate that notorious blind spot whilst driving. Car displays need not be limited to the dashboard and the centre console as one company has demonstrated. Leading flexible electronics provider FlexEnable has partnered with Flex to design a flexible organic liquid crystal display (OLCD) that can be fitted into the A-pillar of a car. Combine this with a camera on the wing mirror of the vehicle and the driver will have a much greater view of their blind spots when behind the wheel.
Touchscreens
The Audi e-tron Quattro concept (Image source: AUDI AG via Flickr Creative Commons)
Car interiors are set to follow in the footsteps of our phones, as touchscreens are soon to become a permanent feature. At CES 2016, Audi showcased a mock-up of their Audi e-tron Quattro interior, which featured a dual-touchscreen control panel in the centre console. This article in GizMag explains how the car’s virtual dashboard is made of an ‘infotainment’ widescreen on top and a handwriting and setting control panel below – no need for buttons or switches!
Voice and Gesture Recognition
In this article from Intel, they explain the different ways companies are bringing gesture, voice and face recognition into car technology. Visa is currently trialling an in-vehicle voice recognition system that allows the driver to pay for things such as parking and petrol using only their own voice. PSA Peugeot Citroën have also been conducting research into using gesture recognition in cars – motion sensors will detect a driver’s movements, allowing them to communicate with the control system using gestures alone.
With all these innovative and exciting technological changes in the pipeline, the way we drive our cars is soon set to change forever.
