Technology innovations in cars over the years
The car manufacturing industry has come a long way since the time when a vehicle had four wheels, a metal chassis, an engine, some windows, a collection of seats and little else.
Fast forward to 2012 and cars now come packed with a long list of technological features that help make driving a lot more fun and practical.
Here is a look at some of the most revolutionary car technology innovations which have changed the landscape of driving.
Auto brake
There are times when people just cannot expect the unexpected – being human means that there is just so much a driver can anticipate.
However, auto brake makes use of computer gadgetry and could potentially save countless lives on the road every year.
A radar device fitted to the vehicle monitors when obstacles are coming too close to a car and immediately alerts the driver of the potential danger. If the motorist does not react, a crash avoidance system activates and brings the vehicle to a safe halt.
Interactive dashboards
Sat navs revolutionised how drivers got from A to B with ease on a road trip, but the technology used to mean carrying a separate piece of technology around in a car.
Today though, many cars are being manufactured with interactive dashboards fitted to the interior, which allows people to set their routes on the fly.
What's more, the dashboards – which are also touchscreen for added efficiency – also packs in features such as audio control and the monitoring of in-car air conditioning systems.
Parking sensors
There are bound to be many drivers' licence holders reading this article who used to get their head in a muddle when trying to reverse park during a driving lesson.
With the assistance of parking sensors, which are commonly found on the rear of a car, people should no longer get themselves in hot water for reversing too far into a spot.
This is because the technology monitors how far a vehicle is from an obstacle – be it another car or a wall – and duly alerts the driver with loud beeps when they are reversing too close.
Electric battery
Cars have long been criticised for ruining the environment and damaging the o-zone, due to their high emissions and fuel-guzzling designs.
To stop the outcry for going on, the motor industry has begun to focus more on electric batteries. The devices simply need to be charged up for a few hours and then the car can be used for miles and miles.
The technology certainly appears to be catching on, with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders recently revealing that 343 models of the highly-popular Nissan Leaf have already been sold in the UK during the first six months of 2012 alone.
Auto Tint
The invention of auto tint technology is a godsend, whether you consider yourself a celebrity or just want a bit of privacy while behind the wheel.
German car maker Mercedes is the brains behind this idea, initially applying the technology to its 2011 SLK Coupe.
A film of glass fitted to the car's windows has an adjustable tint level that drivers can alter between perfectly clear to an opaque view where 99.5 percent of light is blocked.
Keyless car entry
It has happened to all of us. We have just left the house or the office and reach into our bags to retrieve our car key and find it impossible to locate.
With keyless car entry fitted to a car though, drivers do not need to worry about having their keys in their hand in order to drive away their beloved vehicle.
So long as the key is on the person at the time, be it right at the bottom of a jam-packed bag, the car will come to life.
Ford is leading the way with this technology, with the American car giant's Key-Free System and FordPower Starter Button applied to the latest Focus, Fiesta and Mondeo models.
Posted by Louise Clark