Easing you into the driver’s seat: Four ways the connected car could improve your ride

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The connected car has become the popular face of the catch-all ‘Internet of Things’ category in the tech world. But will the connected car and its satellite products catch on in a similar way with consumers?

The connected car has become the popular face of the catch-all ‘Internet of Things’ category in the tech world. In recent months, technology giants Apple, Google, Uber, and AT&T have all pumped adrenaline into the connected car discussion with announcements ranging from autonomous car production, in-car infotainment and display partnerships, and technology integration. 

But will the connected car and its satellite products catch on in a similar way with consumers?

It should. As a software and hardware producer in the space, WayRay sees the connected car as the driving force in building smart cities worldwide. While the benefits of the connected car are numerous, I’d like to focus on four ways the connected car will improve the experience of the consumers, the drivers themselves.

1. Safety

First and foremost, connected technology enhances safety. Users will be able to link with networks outside of their car. If there is a vehicle malfunction or accident, a tap of a button or voice command will send an immediate distress alert. Want to monitor your teenage driver? Forgot where you parked your car? You’ll be able to track your car from your smartphone. And this is just the beginning. 

2. Display

Looking at your GPS to match the visuals with the auditory commands you are receiving can be as distracting and dangerous as sending a text or tweet while driving. Several car manufacturers have focused on building infotainment screens and digital dashboards to curb this kind of eye and head movement so drivers can stay focused on the road. The displays will also make using apps while driving less invasive to road concentration.

3. Navigation

Navigation will no longer be limited to directions-on-command; it now needs to be predictive. Smarter systems are being built to track routes and driver behavior to create a more efficient driving experience.

4. Traffic

These days, drivers have to contend with two streams of traffic: what’s on the road and what’s popping up on their mobile phones. Eventually two communication systems, known as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), will govern traffic patterns in such ways that road congestion will be greatly reduced and, ultimately, eliminated.

Putting the connected car on to car lots and driveways is only the first step in making cities more efficient and safer. Still, it’s a giant step forward into the future that will greatly benefit anyone who drives regularly.