Vehicle Technology
Cars today are increasingly complex. New technologies are constantly being implemented. Your vehicle is now more complex than people usually realize. Your car is now aware of so much of what is going on as you drive. Your vehicle is monitored by a super complex series of sensors which all relate accurate data to the computer controlling it. This computer is linked to the rest of the vehicles’ computers in a complex data bus. Your vehicle can contain over 25 different computers. This makes the way that your engine operates much more efficient.
These technologies also apply to many driver comfort features. Most modern cars have very complex infotainment systems. They allow the rider to listen to music, change vehicle settings, view navigation, and even play movies. These systems are advancing more and more each year. The inside of cars is becoming more and more technological always.
These new technologies are also being applied to safety features. These features help prevent accidents and help compensate for driver error. As technology continues to improve, we will begin to see autonomous cars emerge. This will completely revolutionize the world in which we live.
GPS Navigation
Many cars come with built-in navigation. These systems are extremely convenient. Modern navigation systems allow you to look up specific locations, restaurants, and stores. You are able to get directions to just about anywhere.
Many people use these systems every day, but few actually understand how they work. There are actually about 30 satellites orbiting about 12,000 miles above the earth. These satellites are strategically placed around the earth so that you should have at least 6 satellites pointed in your direction at any location. Your vehicle is equipped with a GPS receiver. The satellite will transmit a signal which contains a time stamp. When the signal reaches your vehicle, the receiver will decode the signal and use the time stamp to determine how far away the satellite is. You will need the signal of at least 3 satellites in order to be able to triangulate your location. As these technologies have improved, we are now able to determine a location as accurately as within 12 inches.
New technologies even allow for you to see the road in front of you, how many lanes there are, construction, and road closures. This makes driving to places you have never been before much easier.
Car Speakers
To make driving more enjoyable, your car has a complex audio system. This allows for you to listen to music. Modern technologies allow for you to listen to music over Bluetooth, satellite, radio, or by connecting a device manually.
Speakers are another very misunderstood part of your vehicle. They convert electrical signals into sounds. Car’s generally have four speakers, but some cars can have as many as 24 different speakers. Your speaker relies on electromagnetism in order to function properly. Your speaker contains a permanent magnet which is held in place. There is an electromagnetic coil near the magnet. This is suspended by a fiber diaphragm. When a voltage is applied to the coil, current will flow through which will create an electromagnetic field. The coil is then either attracted to or repelled by the magnet. This depends on the polarity of the voltage. This is what causes the diaphragm to flex inward or outward. As the diaphragm pulsates in and out, it creates sound waves. This is how you get the sound out of your speaker.
Technology truly is amazing. We have turned electrical signals into music, voices, and sounds.
Driver Safety Features
Newer cars also utilize technology to provide a lot of safety features. These are slowly becoming standard in many cars. They can help prevent a lot of accidents and make driving easier for the driver each day.
One of these amazing features is adaptive cruise control. Normally when driving in cruise control, you will continue at the same speed you are traveling. This allows for drivers to become distracted and less aware of the road. If someone gets in front of them, their cruise control will have them continue at the same speed, even if it means hitting another vehicle. Adaptive cruise control uses sensors to keep you a certain distance behind other vehicles. You will travel at your set speed until there is an object in front of you. When this happens the car automatically slows you down. Once the object is out of your way or you get over, your car will have you resume your speed. Check out the video below to see how this works.
Another great feature is lane keep assist. This feature utilizes a camera installed behind your rear-view mirror. The camera will monitor the lines on both sides of you. If you start to drift out of the lane, the system will activate. There are several different types of this available. Some will beep at you and vibrate your steering wheel and seat. This is to notify you that you are exiting the lane. There are also active systems which will actually steer your vehicle back into the lane.
Forward Collision Avoidance systems are also extremely useful. This system utilizes a camera the same as the lane keep assist. When you are approaching an object and are about to crash into it, the car will automatically brake for you. The car can come to a complete stop on its own. This could save the life of a distracted driver who looks away from the road for a moment.
Age of Technology
This article doesn’t even begin to scrape the surface of all of the technology that is out there. Vehicles are incredibly complex and advanced. We are quickly approaching the day when your vehicle will be able to do everything for you. When we reach the stage of autonomous driving, driving will never be the same.
The technologies developed help us to be more comfortable and to enjoy our driving experience more. They also make it safer everywhere that we go. Every year, these technologies get better and better. It will be exciting to see what cars are like in another 20 years.
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