{"id":5809,"date":"2019-11-27T22:45:29","date_gmt":"2019-11-28T06:45:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=5809"},"modified":"2021-02-08T20:41:44","modified_gmt":"2021-02-09T04:41:44","slug":"thanksgiving-automotive-technologies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/thanksgiving-automotive-technologies\/","title":{"rendered":"Automotive Innovations To Be Thankful For in 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\nReading Time: <\/span> 5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

There are a lot of things to be thankful for each and every year. The mere fact that you’re able to read this article while sitting in your comfy couch with a warm cup of coffee is just one among many good reasons to celebrate life. If you’re a car lover though, this year has given you even more things to be thankful for. Various technological breakthroughs and advancements have led to a lot of new innovative features that make owning and driving a vehicle easier and less stressful than before.<\/p>\n

Some of the features listed below are still in the development stage, but the fact that carmakers are doing their best to bring them into reality is still worth celebrating this Thanksgiving 2019. Here are the car technology innovations to be thankful for this year.<\/p>\n

1. Biometric Security and Ignition Systems<\/h1>\n

Soon, you may never have to worry about misplacing your key fob ever again. That’s because car manufacturers have developed built-in fingerprint scanners that could serve as your vehicle’s security and ignition system access. One of the pioneering automakers to have successfully incorporated biometric scanners on a production vehicle is Hyundai, with some variants of the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe getting the feature in select markets.<\/p>\n

With fingerprint recognition technology, drivers could unlock and start their cars without turning a key, pushing a button, or needing to have a key fob within proximity range. A sensor is installed on the exterior door handle, which sends encrypted data to the car’s computer to unlock the vehicle. Multiple drivers can register a fingerprint with the car owner’s permission. More interestingly, seating preferences and other cabin features can be personalized depending on the fingerprint that has been read by the system.<\/p>\n

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Soon, AR HUD technology could allow drivers to easily access information such as weather, area, and traffic information through the windshield.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Augmented Reality Head-Up Display<\/h1>\n

Windshield-projected head-up displays or HUDs have been around since the 1980s, which means the technology isn’t entirely new. Originally, HUDs projected speed and other basic readings from the dashboard to the windshield. Some aftermarket HUDs that are still available today come with a transparent glass screen that projects speed and other various information.<\/p>\n

Fast forward to the 21st century and automakers have successfully developed a more advanced version of the HUD that uses Augmented Reality (AR) technology. AR HUDs can project GPS systems in the form of a 3D navigational map. It incorporates information from infrared cameras and other different sensors and could be paired with 5G network technology in the future.<\/p>\n

Think of the AR HUD as the navigational guide from your favorite racing video game. AR HUDs can project arrows or even highlight the lane you should be in to improve your driving experience. Further development may include other information such as weather, area, and traffic information. Thanks to AR HUDs, drivers may soon never have to glance down at the center console or instrument cluster to check various vehicle information again.<\/p>\n

3. Rear-Passenger VR Experience<\/h1>\n

Parents and kids rejoice, a technological breakthrough that aims to provide a more peaceful family drive is now within grasp. Audi partnered with Disney earlier this year to introduce the backseat Virtual Reality (VR) experience—the solution parent drivers have been seeking for years. Kids at the backseat may soon relax, enjoy, and mind their own business during a weekend family trip. In short, there’d be less distraction for the driver, which should translate to safer roads.<\/p>\n