Thirty years ago, could you have predicted that cars would eventually park themselves, drive themselves, or even react to your voice commands? These concepts belonged in science fiction films back then. They are now a normal part of driving.
Let’s examine seven automotive innovations that were once thought to be unattainable but are now commonplace.
Self-Driving Cars
For decades, the idea of a car that could drive itself without human assistance was considered a sci-fi fantasy. Autonomous driving systems that can manage city traffic and highways with little driver intervention are currently being actively developed by companies like Waymo, Tesla, and Mercedes.
Automatic Parking Assist
Do you recall when one of the most difficult aspects of driving school was parallel parking? Nowadays, a lot of cars can park themselves by simply pressing a button. Mass-market models now use a technology that was previously exclusive to luxury brands.
Head-Up Displays (HUD)
HUD technology, which was first implemented in fighter jets, projects navigation, speed, and alerts straight onto the windshield. Many contemporary cars now come equipped with a standard safety feature that used to look like something from a science fiction film.
Voice Control Systems
It used to feel like a sci-fi fantasy to speak to your car. These days, drivers can control music, navigation, and even climate settings with Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant without taking their hands off the wheel.
Long-Range Electric Vehicles
Electric cars used to be small, slow, and had a very short range. Today’s models, such as the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan, can go hundreds of miles between charges while still providing exhilarating performance.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Imagine informing drivers in the 1980s that their car would eventually change its speed on its own to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of them. One of the most well-liked and extensively used safety features nowadays is adaptive cruise control.
Keyless Entry and Push-Button Start
Once a spy-movie gadget, keyless entry and push-button start have become mainstream. Modern cars recognize the driver’s key fob and unlock automatically – no need to fumble for keys.
Innovation has always been at the heart of the automotive industry, and what seems futuristic today might become commonplace tomorrow. The future of driving will probably surprise us as much as these once “impossible” technologies did, from flying car concepts to fully autonomous travel.