From the introduction of mass car production to the upsurge in modern electric vehicles, the automotive industry has undergone a dramatic transformation over the last century.
Of course, rapid advancements in technology are revolutionizing the way we drive vehicles. Not only that, but technological advancements have made vehicles environmentally friendly and safe.
The global automotive motors market, valued at $23.0 billion in 2022, is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% and reach $28.7 billion by 2027. Increased demands for safety and comfort features is the primary factor driving the automotive motors market.
Embracing technological innovations in vehicles has become important for automotive manufacturers. Otherwise, surviving on the market will become impossible. That said, we’ll explore a few groundbreaking car technological innovations that are driving the industry forward.
#1 Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Communication
Over the years, vehicle-to-everything technology has emerged as a game-changer in the automotive industry. Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) refers to the communication system of cars, which consists of cameras, sensors, and wireless connectivity like 5G cellular technology and WiFi.
V2X integration in vehicles allows trucks and cars to exchange information with other vehicles, infrastructure, and devices.
Valued at $2.6 billion in 2022, the global V2X technology market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 39.12% by 2033. Volvo, Tesla, General Motors, Ford, BMW, and Audi are among the automakers actively pursuing connected car development.
The Federal Communications Commission allotted a section of the radio spectrum to V2X technology in 2019, which was a crucial step for its widespread adoption.
Today, a large number of modern vehicles are outfitted with V2X capabilities, which allow them to communicate on the road. As this facilitates real-time data exchange about potential hazards, traffic, and road conditions, V2X technology plays a crucial role in enhancing road safety.
#2 Advanced Dual-Clutch Transmissions
While the introduction of advanced dual-clutch transmissions (DCT) can be dated back to 1939, it became popular only in the past few years. Essentially, DCT offers all the perks of a traditional automatic transmission without any downsides.
Cars with DCT feature two separate clutches that connect the engine to the axles where various gears are located. One clutch manages odd gears, whereas the other controls even gears. On a six-speed DCT, for example, one clutch shifts 2, 4, and 6 gears while the other handles 1, 3, and 5 gears.
The twin clutches of high-speed gearboxes let drivers shift gears quickly and smoothly. Therefore, they are as easy to use as a traditional automatic transmission but with faster shifts.
Since the 1980s, racing cars have been outfitted with dual-clutch transmissions. In regard to pedestrian cars, Volkswagen was the first of all vehicles to generalize and democratize the use of DCT. The brand launched its first DCT, called DSG, in mainstream performance vehicles like GTI in 2003.
Ford is another automobile manufacturer that replaced the old-school four- and five-speed automatic transmissions with highly efficient six-speed dual-clutch gearboxes in small cars. It made the shift because high-speed gearboxes offer increased performance and better fuel efficiency.
These gearboxes are also used in high-speed electric motor test systems, electric axle driveline test systems, and electric accessory testing, notes Cotta.
#3 Driverless Technology
Over the past decades, the automotive industry has witnessed a slew of breakthroughs that paved the path for the self-driving car future we have been promised.
In the early 2000s, the radar cruise control systems, an upgraded version of the older systems, were launched in the market. Where the older cruise control systems could only maintain the speed of cars, newer ones were capable of keeping a safe distance from the vehicle ahead without the driver’s intervention.
Newer radar cruise control systems were able to keep away from the vehicle in front even if its speed varied. Mercedes-Benz was among the first to introduce this technology, which debuted in the 2000 S-Class.
In 2020, Tesla launched its FSD or Full Self-Driving package, which marked a big step forward. Other industry titans like Volvo, Audi, and BMW followed suit and introduced autopilot features.
#4 Augmented Reality Head-up Displays
Another automotive technology that is all set to revolutionize the driving experience is augmented reality (AR) head-up displays (HUDs). The fusion of AR, together with the latest advancements in HUDs, is setting new benchmarks in comfort and safety.
Based on real-time sensor data, AR HUDs project navigational cues and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) alerts into the field of view of the driver. Having such information at the line of sight improves driver situational awareness.
A few leading automotive manufacturers who have adopted HUDs in their vehicles are Audi AG (Germany), BMW AG (Germany), and Hongqi (China).
Closing Thoughts
The automotive industry has undergone a remarkable transformation in the past few years. Of course, the credit goes to a lineup of technological innovations that have made modern vehicles efficient and safe.
Other tech innovations driving the auto industry forward are stolen vehicle tracking software, 360-degree cameras, and automatic emergency braking. By integrating these technologies into their vehicles, automotive manufacturers will not only improve customer safety, but also reduce costs.
