Automobile Features of the Present and Future

Just checked it out and being a gear head myself, I would say that some of the ideas are pretty cool, like the carbon fiber bodies while others are not so. I have been telling my wife for the last maybe 10 years, I think it would really be neat to be able to come back in 100 years and check out the world. Just think how the world was back in 1914. Makes you think where we will be in 2114. People are going to be saying, "Man, I don't know how they ever got along with all the neat stuff we have today, like my iPhone 101 that communicates with intergalatic planets and beings that automatically decodes their speech." (Well, maybe.)
 
As I think about the cars that I have had the greatest advance was fuel injected engine with the aggravation of regular tune-ups becoming a thing of the past...
 

I'm looking at new vehicles, not to buy this year but maybe next. They sure come with a lot of doodads:

Driver Attention Monitor​
Collision Mitigation Braking System​
Road Departure Mitigation System​
Adaptive Cruise Control w/Low Speed Follow​
Lane Keeping Assist System​
Traffic Sign Recognition​
Traffic Jam Assist​
Multi-Angle Rearview Cameras​
Blind Spot Information System​
Cross Traffic Monitor​
Auto High-Beam Headlights​
Satellite-Linked Navigation System​
Wi-Fi Hotspot​
Hands-free Phone Link​
Voice Recognition​
Android Auto​
Apple CarPlay​
Google Built-in​
Alexa​

... and more, depending on make and model.

From an Alexa device inside your home (or on your phone with the Alexa app) you can lock all of the car doors, start the car, turn the car off, open windows and roof just a crack or wide open, close the windows, etc.

Some features require an Internet connection. Sometimes that is through a connected phone, other times the car itself has a cellular radio and data plan, often with 3 years' service (bundled in the purchase price when new).

Sometimes things like key fob remote starting or even heated seats requires a paid subscription as well.


Setting aside renting such a car for a short usage period (the horror!), how long does it take drivers to learn these systems, set up their status and limits and "train" some of the telematic assistance features, then actually use them once they've bought the car?

Or do you think most drivers will just ignore them entirely, limping along reacting to the features as they rear their heads while driving? I'm not sure all that many people even know what to do when they get a Tire Pressure Monitoring System alert. The world seems to have more cavemen every day. :ROFLMAO:
 
The more "gee whiz" features they put in cars, the more likely that these things will break, and be expensive to repair. It seems that many of them are aimed at "entertaining" the driver. Fuel Injection was probably the Best improvement in years past. That, plus power windows, a good heater/AC, rear camera, and a good radio satisfies my needs.

What I would like to see is a means of making cell phones inactive while the vehicle is in gear and moving. If a person needs to yack on their phone, they should have to pull over and park, Cell phone usage has surpassed drunk driving as a cause of accidents.
 
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Don M. said:
It seems that many of them are aimed at "entertaining" the driver.
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The radio/media player is the only one I can think of. What others did you have in mind?

I think a ton of the stuff now tries to make up somewhat for incompetent drivers. Also to compensate for the "gangster-slit Tommy gun ports" of the shrinking glass real estate in slab-sided doors and rears that diminish the driver's view of his surroundings.
 
Don M. said:
The more "gee whiz" features they put in cars, the more likely that these things will break, and be expensive to repair.
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That’s one of the main reasons I’m considering leasing over ownership of my next vehicle.

I’ve also seriously considered buying a restored vehicle from the 60s.

No matter what I do it’s expensive for the little driving I do.

I should probably work on rearranging my life a bit to eliminate the need for a vehicle.

Life was easier when I was young and didn’t have many choices. 😉🤭😂
 
There is nothing wrong with driving a well maintained used car of a reliable make and model.

The only problem is that even 6 to 8 year old cars have a lot of that list of "features." Buy a 10 year old car and you have to grit your teeth and hope it has 4 more years in it.

I'd never lease. It makes sense for businesses that can write it off, but I think it is entirely predatory on consumers. But that's just me.
 
Our 18 year old Toyota Tundra with 55K on the odometer is barely broken in. It isn't the best truck I've ever owned, but it's basic (has crank down windows :D), easy to drive, and economical to own. It will outlast both of us and then our boys can fight over it. :)

Our late model Rav 4 is loaded with utter junk that half the time doesn't even work. I'd get rid of it in a heartbeat if I thought I could find anything new that's any better. :(
 
Well, as I said I just wonder how many people ever learn to use those gadgets that most cars come with today.

In some cases the safety related driver assistance features can lower your insurance rates. Soon most cars will probably compile and send data about your driving habits to the insurance industry. Too much speeding and your rates go up or you get dropped. Turn corners like a hippo waddling in spiked heels on ice and your rates go up or you get dropped. Roll through stop signs, weave in and out of your lanes, tailgate, etc. and...
 
Some of the stuff needs training videos. There is no way the salesman can talk you through it once and expect you to understand a feature.

 
I stick with the F150 XLT Screw, 2.7turbo with 3.73 Axle, 6.5’ box. A comfortable long mileage ride with great height / vision ahead. Usually Grey, Blue or White. Roll up box cover. Had a red one once.

The Truck license is reasonable here. Free inspections too.
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I’ll pass on the Lightening / Hybrid next time too. Maybe ford will offer it with the 2.7L but not for now anyway.
 
The best car I ever had was a 1968 Chrysler Imperial, and it was all beat up by the time I got it. It was massive. My favorite line was "you could land planes on the hood". You could cram in a good 6 or 7 bodies in the trunk. The rear seat actually had room for your feet. So, it got 12 gallons to the foot, it was an impressive hunk of metal, that looked cool.
 
I was born and raised in the Detroit area in the 60s and half of the 70s. Most of the industry at that time of course revolved around the auto industry. Still is, I guess, but I've been out of the loop for a few decades.

With that out of the way, it'll be a cold day in hell before I buy another U.S.-designed vehicle. Pre-planned obsolescence is their watchword because it's all about money and the unions. No sir. For now, I'm driving a 2018 Toyota. When that company starts forgetting about its customers, I'll look elsewhere but for now, it's OK.

The feature that scares the hell out of me is the car's computer, GPS capability, and that nonsense that GM calls "OnStar". Nothing more than a method for the bad guys to track you. I'll let you know where and when I want to be found, TYVM.

Oh, and get off my lawn. :)
 
It's a double edged sword. There have been many improvements that make vehicles more dependable, long lasting, more fuel efficient and needing less maintenance. On they other hand they have also loaded them up with a whole lot of expensive bells and whistles that you don't need and that will cost you an arm and a leg to fix if they go out.
 
I recall hearing my parents refer to options like a heater, turn signals, and radio. I don't think they ever had a car with power window or seats.

I kind of wish there was a power review inside mirror built into those automatic settings like the seats and steering wheel. My wife is short and always adjusts the mirror down so low that I can't see.
 
Our 6 year old Hyundai Kona came with an accessory pack which I love. Number one, a Lane change warning. Select the left or right turn signal, and if there is a car in your blind spot it beeps like crazy. If the anti-collision warning spots an impending collision, on go the brakes. Works! Another nice one is a low tire pressure warning, and of course the exterior rear view mirror adjustments are electric and work from inside the car. And using the fob I can lock the car a block away, even through a closed window. When the car detects a remote lock signal it not only locks, it beeps and flashes the parking lights, even if it is already locked. Very handy.
 
Interesting but I think it’s a mistake.

I might buy if if they revamped the Camaro to be a more family oriented SUV but messing with the iconic Corvette seems wrong.

 

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