5 Ways Technology is Transforming the Auto Industry Right Now

In order to stay competitive, car companies are turning to cutting-edge technologies to streamline production, reduce costs, and improve the driving experience. Here are 5 ways technology is transforming the auto industry right now.

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Automotive Technology

Technology has come a long way, and sometimes, the tools we use in our cars don't immediately register as automotive tech. However, everything from GPS location trackers and seat warmers to blind spot notifications are forms of advancing automotive technology.

Additionally, technology can help you spend less on insurance, and get more out of your extended warranties. While you're looking into some of the modern technologies available for drivers, take a look at these Carshield reviews to see how customers are finding mobile apps and maintenance tracking beneficial for their warranty services.

1. Electric Vehicles are Becoming Mainstream

One of the most significant ways technology is changing the automotive industry is the rise of electric vehicles (EVs). EVs have been around for decades but they've only recently begun to gain mainstream appeal.

Thanks to advances in battery technology, EVs are now more practical and affordable than ever before. Major automakers like Ford, Volkswagen, and BMW are making big bets on EVs and investing billions of dollars in new production facilities.

As battery technology continues to improve, we can expect EVs to become even more popular in the coming years. Further, communities are now finding new ways to help encourage EV drivers and raise funds for the cities besides parking citations and traffic violations.

Additionally, Electric Vehicles are always increasing their range and power, so even those that said they'd never drive an EV have found ways to incorporate them into their daily lives to reduce their carbon footprint.

2. Self-Driving Cars are Getting Closer to Reality

Another major way technology is transforming the automotive industry is the development of self-driving cars. Self-driving cars have the potential to drastically reduce accidents, congestion, and emissions.

While fully autonomous vehicles are still a few years away from mass production, many automakers are already offering semi-autonomous features like lane keeping assist and automatic emergency braking. These features are becoming increasingly common on new cars and will lay the foundation for fully autonomous vehicles in the future.

For some, the idea of self-driving cars is a terrifying prospect. Many brush them off and laugh about watching too much sci-fi in the 80s and 90s, but there are some legitimate concerns about self-driving cars advancing too quickly.

The evolution of the autonomous vehicle and how it will effect the economy is of concern, the theory is that when they hit the road in massive numbers, truck drivers, bus drivers, and delivery services will be out of work, unemploying an extensive portion of the workforce. While some economists theorize that there will be some level of displacement of drivers, there will be other adaptations that these people can transition into.

3. Cars are Getting Connected

Another big change we're seeing in the automotive industry is the connectivity of cars. Thanks to advancements in wireless technology, cars are now able to communicate with each other and with infrastructure like traffic lights and road signs.

This connectedness enables cars to share information about traffic congestion, accidents, and speed limits, which helps drivers make smarter decisions on the road. It also allows for features like adaptive cruise control and automated parking assist. We can expect this trend towards connectivity to continue as 5G networks become more widespread.

Additionally, drivers are finding that this connection allows them a better connection for their work while they're on the road. For many, their car becomes their mobile office, and having access to wi-fi or 5G networks from their car allow them to make far better use of their time and energy than having to wait until they return to the office to finish their work.

This is great news for industries like real estate, home maintenance, contractors, lawyers, and others that deal with service contracts, legal contracts, and time sensitive paperwork.

4. Manufacturing is Becoming More Automated

Automation is another area where we're seeing big changes in the automotive industry. In order to reduce costs and increase efficiency, many automakers are now using robots and other automated systems in their production facilities.

This shift towards automation is reducing dependence on human labor and making it possible for cars to be manufactured faster and with fewer defects. We can expect this trend towards automation to continue as manufacturers look for ways to further streamline production.

This trend isn't helping the workforce, but it is making cars more affordable across the board. As the workforce is replaced by automation and robotics, the workforce is returning to school to learn new trades at higher numbers than before.

Soon, we may be able to see automation of routine maintenance tasks, such as changing the oil, filters, and tires on any given model. We're already seeing the connection of cars to their systems in a way that notifies your phone and sometimes even your service center when you're close to a maintenance milestone.

5. Car Ownership is Declining

And finally, one of last major ways technology is changing the automotive industry has nothing to do with cars themselves but rather with how we use them. Due in part to ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft, car ownership rates have been declining in recent years, especially among young people living in urban areas.

This shift could have major implications for the future of transportation as cities look for alternatives to private car ownership. We expect to see massive overhauls of mass transit systems, and new innovation for delivery of products like furniture and other large hard-to-haul property in urban areas.

Further, there is likely to be a significant decrease in the number of people learning to drive, in the case that they need to transport themselves. On one hand, it is forcing a re-thinking of city infrastructure, and on the other hand it is creating a sizable impact in ecological impact of these communities.

Ever-Evolving

Technology is having a profound impact on the automotive industry—and our lives as drivers—in a variety of different ways. From electric vehicles becoming mainstream to self-driving cars getting closer reality, there's no doubt that we're on the cusp of a transportation revolution. And while there's still much unknown about what the future holds, one thing is certain: things will never be same again.

As technology evolves and builds into new frontiers in the automotive industry, adjacent business types have evolved along-side them. Industries such as automotive security, logistics, and travel specialists have been able to integrate programming into their clients automobiles to benefit their bottom line.

Lesley Montoya

Update 04 November 2022