We’ve all noticed how steadily technology has infiltrated the humble motor car. Over the past few decades we’ve seen the introduction of motorised windows, computerised dashboard panels, and an array of GPS mapping systems.
But the latest developments in driving technology threaten to overturn even the most basic driving functions in a way that will question the fact of whether we are even driving at all.
Smartphone revolution
The introduction of smartphones into our lives has had a phenomenal impact on our daily activities. This is largely due in part to the way that apps are developed to cater for a variety of needs whether it be through the Google Maps app that help us navigate to our desired destination, or even the Auto Trader app that helps us search for our dream car.
Such apps demonstrate that smartphones have come a long way since their main function was social media, email, and sites like Betway that offer quick and easy gaming in a realistic casino environment.
However, the latest app development in the motoring world was unveiled by Jaguar last month. This revealed that the company had developed their first prototype of an autonomous driving experience that allowed a car to be remotely controlled via a smartphone.
Autonomous driving
The new Jaguar Land Rover would be linked to a smartphone app that would enable the user to walk alongside the car and control the vehicle’s acceleration, braking and steering, so as to move the car out of a particularly tight situation.
This would prove to be beneficial in the Land Rover’s use as an off-road vehicle which can often lead to it becoming stuck in hazardous terrain. But it could also be used in an urban situation where the car had become blocked in due to tight parking conditions.
Furthermore, Jaguar’s app would also be able to tell the car to perform a ‘multi-point-turn’ so that the car would automatically perform a 180-degree turn in the road. This could be especially handy when trying to conduct a difficult manoeuvre on a busy street.
Self driving cars
Such activity fits in to current trends for cars to become more autonomous and self-driving. At the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, Dieter Zetsche, the head of Mercedes announced that cars would soon become ‘smartphones on wheels’ and greatly aid road safety through having minimal reaction times and being able to see in the dark.
Developments such as these would also leave the driver of the car free to perform other tasks whilst moving, such as conduct business and make phone calls. Whether this will erode the simple joy of driving remains to be seen, but it will definitely make the daily commute much more relaxing!
