New Auto Technology Trends

Who's Driving?
A jaw-dropping element of Continental's CES display was "Boss," a Chevy Tahoe equipped with the company's electronics and software and the winner of the Urban Challenge, a 60-mile, at speed in traffic, driverless car competition. Boss merged into moving traffic, avoided obstacles and negotiated intersections relying on sensors and computers alone. (One of the factors in its success could have been the lack of distractions from a cell phone or entertainment system.)


Based on the assumption that an attentive driver is the best accident deterrent, Delphi Technologies' Information Convenience Protection (ICP) dashboard puts all controls within a 20-degree field of vision. The screen morphs through a series of relevant formats—from an entertainment system control to a gauge cluster and on and on. Side- and rearview mirrors are replaced with in-cab monitors that receive images from the system's cameras. The ICP also wakes up a drowsy driver and recognizes pre-programmed faces behind the wheel. If the car doesn't recognize the face, it won't start. Delphi's technology could be available for more than just demo vehicles by 2012.

Safety Advancements
If you can't wait that long to be saved from yourself, a rash of OnStar-like products can at least call for help in an emergency. Ford partnered with MicroSoft in the Sync connectivity system that includes voice-activated Bluetooth phone and a portable music player. A significant update to Ford Sync is the ability to make a 911 call when airbags have been deployed. Unlike the OnStar system that relays information from an OnStar operator to the appropriate service provider, Sync's 911 call is local, cutting down on the response time.


Hughes Telematics trumps all of the above with a Hydra-like series of tentacles that connect everything. It's an OnStar-like emergency system, a GPS, emergency crash notification, hands-free calling, traffic, weather and news reporter, and stolen vehicle locator entertainment system. It will be available on Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler models by 2009.

Easy Upgrades
Computer-based automotive technologies are rushing toward us with tsunami intensity. There's a simple reason. Automakers anticipate their products will have an average shelf life of six to seven years. Anyone who has pursued the latest gadgetry in cell phones and portable music toys realizes the average shelf life of the latest-and-greatest technology is measured in months. Why put "infotainment" gadgetry in a vehicle when it will be outdated before the vehicle gets to the showroom? Now, the capacity of vehicle computer systems is such that systems can be upgraded via wireless networks.