THE futuristic cars of tomorrow will have features technology- and style-wise. It will be an electronic 'thinking brain' that will make car-driving easier for a driver, in the usual stream of vehicles, crawling on and back from work. This will be a boon for all who drive to and come back from work day after day, when traffic is most crowded and driving a more exhausting and tiresome daily affair. However, it is likely to have a functional electronic brain, that will ease the driver's strain.
It was on display, at the 'Consumer Electronics Show' in the USA. It is basically an 'electronic brain' that incorporates electronic controls for all electro-mechanical functions of car driving and making driving inherently safer for drivers. It can also ease you from little odd things, like opening your house door, putting on the lights and the heater or air-conditioner some times before you drive back to your doorstep. One car maker calls it (the control unit) "Alexa" and plans to introduce it soon. Most popular cars in the USA will have similar features in the days ahead when the new 2017 models are with the car dealers.
This concept is based on the idea that the car of tomorrow will come to know about your (driver's) trends, habits and particular knack in driving; making your car's 'e-brain' attuned to your style of driving as well as your particular needs and proposed destinations that you can programme in earlier. This makes your car a more familiar electro-mechanical device that knows your habits and usual routines while driving to familiar locations, both for work or recreation. Coming near your friendly and familiar car for the first time in the morning, its headlights will 'blink' a hello to you, when you approach it. It is done by its "all-electronic brain" (master controller), that by recognizing you it relaxes you like a friendly entity. Some models also has an additional house controller, that based on the car's returning back, can automatically set 'on' your hot water system, air conditioner or room heater, depending on the weather. It can even unlock the garage door, when it is close to its destination. Further, once you have stopped the car in the garage, it can automatically also (if desired) lock the garage door when you are out of the garage. This eliminates some of your physical work on reaching back home usually after a long and tiring day.
All this and more are expected from these cars of tomorrow that in effect are personalised to its drivers' moods and needs. There will be more advanced models. If it feels that you are angry, it changes the inside lighting and music to soothe you. It behaves as if the car knows the owner, more like a friend than just a travelling entity. A number of renowned car-makers are moving in this direction with a view to relaxing the driver as much as possible.
(Acknowledgement: A write-up on the subject, published in the latest January 2017 issue of the 'Popular Mechanics' a US technical magazine)
Engr.S.A.Mansoor
[email protected]
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