About a year ago, Nissan ran a tv ad which ended by boldly stating that the most exciting tech you own could be in your driveway. After taking a just a brief glimpse at what’s in store for the near future of the automotive industry, that doesn’t seem so far-fetched.
Artificial intelligence and 5G are topics that are usually associated with mobile devices and smart homes, but one of the most important places that these technologies will soon reside is in our cars. The first, and most obvious place that this is being implemented is “In Vehicle Infotainment” or IVI. According to eInfochips.com, “The IVI can be described as a combination of vehicle systems which are used to deliver entertainment and information to the driver and the passengers through audio/ video interfaces, control elements like touch screen displays, button panel, voice commands, and more.” As a result of this, car rides are becoming an increasingly exciting experience for drivers and passengers alike.
Built-in applications and improving integrations with smart phones are already making navigation easier for drivers, however, as 5G rolls out over the next several years, vehicles will be connected to the roads and cities they are driving in, taking these capabilities to a whole new level. Antennas and data hubs placed around cities will be able to gather and distribute data instantaneously. This will allow for real-time changes in routes to avoid obstacles or high traffic areas. The lines of communication for vehicles will include vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure, vehicle-to-pedestrian (smart phones/watches), and vehicle-to-cloud as 5G and IOT advancements continue.
Car brands, most notably Tesla, now feature driver assistance and lane assistance features referred to as ADAS (Advanced driver-assistance systems) that can automatically adjust the steering wheel to stay in the correct lane. These features have been creating headlines as people are becoming a bit too dependent on the “autopilot” feature, and getting into accidents while they take their eyes off the road. Fully autonomous vehicles without the need for human guidance are coming, however the technology is not quite ready yet.
New Tech, New Perceptions
Just a few years ago, fully electric cars lacked momentum and consumers were skeptical of their ability to compete in the mainstream automotive market. Today, with brands like Tesla bringing forth a revolution, and Ford introducing their own version of an electric truck, the electric vehicle market may finally be something to be taken seriously.
One of the most common knocks on electric cars is the short battery life, however, the technology has been improving year after year, and the new Tesla Model S boasts a range of up to 373 miles on a single charge. The newly revealed Tesla “Cybertruck” will have built-in solar charging and a range of up to 500 miles in the top-tier, tri-motor models. Elon Musk claims that the solar charging will be capable of adding 15-40 miles of extra range, which could come in handy for those who tend to push the limits of their traditional gas tanks.
As the demand for 5g and IOT-ready devices especially in the automotive industry explodes, NetSource Technology will be there to support manufacturers with any shortages they may face in the supply chain.
Sources:
Samsung Automotive Applications
Everything You Need to Know About In-Vehicle Infotainment Systems
Tesla Cybertruck: Everything we know
Qualcomm C-V2X