Although it does not appear to be evolving very fast, the automotive technologies available to the public are. That’s a good thing, and it’s a shame that some industries stop rapid innovation, as it is the consumer who suffers. Now some might argue that when technology in any sector slows slightly, this is better as consumers embrace the new and adjust to it, also allowing companies to make a profit on their R&D without having to jump in before you get back that initial investment. .
Now there are many innovations emerging in automotive technology, and I’m sure you are aware of Google’s autonomous car, the parallel parking Lexus, and all the new hybrid models that come out every year. In fact, I’m sure you’ve seen how the modern car can interact with your smartphone and personal technology devices, allowing for hands-free driving, along with full GPS-like features and interactivity; but there is still more.
In fact, there was an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal on February 13, 2013 titled; “Five New Technologies to Make Driving Easier” by Joseph B. White, which listed a click-activated inflatable seatbelt, flat-screen customization, ultra-efficient 10-speed transmissions and autonomous vehicle systems. I would like to discuss the issues related to the HUD and flat panel car concept for a moment, as this is something that is now available on the “new Lexis IS F-Sport model,” according to the article.
It turns out that the US Navy had conducted a preliminary investigation into what they call the “T” formation for the dashboard instruments in the cockpit so as not to distract the pilot and allow everything necessary to really know in a small, narrow area, with all the instruments elsewhere, but always the “T” formation with things like airspeed, altimeter, artificial horizon, climb indicator, and rudder ball. Perhaps, this is the ancient beginning of the common cockpit theory now being promoted by NASA, the FAA, and the military, which is a worthwhile idea without a doubt, all aircraft would have nearly identical configurations.
Of course, if each person can customize the instruments on their flat screen control panel, just as you customize your computer desktop, then how will car borrowers handle it, and how will car rental people deal with the differences? Will they have to reconfigure the rent-a-car before starting so that everything is where they are used to? You see, the United States Navy, the FAA, and years of research had gone into all of this to achieve the most efficient position for each instrument. Car designers also try to keep it simple to avoid distractions.
Yes, some people think differently, but how can each person have all the research background to know the safest and most efficient place to put each meter if they are going to reconfigure the location themselves?
If done wrong, that could cause a 5 second delay, which means they are staring at the dash for longer, while traveling down the road, which means less reaction time to something outside the vehicle, which means more accidents. , which is similar to distracted driver problems. we are faced with people trying to text, lipstick or read the newspaper while driving. Do you see that point too? Consider all of this and think about it.
