For years filmmakers and authors have been dreaming up a future where cars are able to do the unthinkable. A common visual seen throughout science fiction movies are flying cars. Even though flying cars existed by the time 2015 rolled around in Back to the Future II, they're still not a reality yet in the real world. Though some new developments to cars on the horizon suggest something big is coming.
Updated March 2022: If you're interested in learning what the automotive future looks like, you'll be happy to know that we've updated this article with even more details.
With how fast technology progresses every year, it's not impossible to imagine some of the advancements in science fiction becoming reality. Cars that can monitor a driver's health, or not even require a driver at all are just some examples of what carmakers are working on today. It's worth examining what new technology for automobiles is being worked on right now. Some features are so cool and out there that it's hard to wait patiently. Imagining these cars outfitted with new technology like this is mind-blowing. Not only is it important to see what's up and coming in the auto industry, but to take a look at the carmakers. Not only does the list below look at new technology, but also the carmakers committed to delivering it to the world.
18 Future Innovation: Body/Solar Panels That Power The Car
This feature could bring cars to a whole new level. As reported by Auto How Stuff Works, some automakers are exploring the possibility of having panels outside of the car absorb and use power. Ostensibly, the panels could take energy from the car's braking system, as one example, and reuse that same energy to power the vehicle.
It's the kind of technology that sounds almost too good to be true. Of all the technology that car makers are working on today, this sounds the most revolutionary. Not only does it help the environment but save on expenses down the line.
17 Maker: Toyota
It may encourage some to know that one of the world's biggest carmakers is working now on these power-giving panels.
According to Ask Men, Toyota is not only behind the research and development of these panels but has been working on it since 2010. That's when they unveiled the NORI concept car, which comes outfitted with solar panels. Although Toyota has already gotten a head start over other carmakers, there doesn't appear to be a rollout date yet for this technology. Though Ask Men projects Prius models to come equipped with this new feature possibly as soon as 2020.
16 Future Innovation: “A Window To The World”
Appropriately dubbed “a window to the world," car interiors could come outfitted with multimedia glass. The promo video for this new technology shows a girl drawing shapes with her finger on the glass. She even once zooms in an object visible from a distance. While that sounds amazing in and of itself, there are other features that could revolutionize driving.
According to Interesting Engineering, the tech could pair up with turn-by-turn navigation, showing drivers on their glass where to turn. That sounds a lot better than taking eyes off the road every once in a while, to look at a phone or GPS screen.
15 Maker: Toyota
Toyota is the car maker behind the "window to the world" promo video. One can only speculate as to when this sort of technology becomes a reality. There's a lot of features to iron out before launching something like this.
One feature, as Phys.org notes, is that drawn objects remain fixed wherever they're made, so that when the car moves, so do the objects outside the window frame. Showing off a video like this sure makes Toyota look good. Though they're going to have to deliver on it (and soon) if they want to honor the excitement generated from it.
14 Future Innovation: Airbags That Prevent Accidents
Airbags have always been that added sense of security in case drivers get in an accident. Traditionally, they've always been inside the car, often within the steering wheel and dashboard. Now, however, carmakers may be putting airbags underneath the car as well. The idea behind it is the airbags may be able to stop a car accident from happening instead of responding after impact.
According to Auto How Stuff Works, if the sensors anticipate an accident from happening, the airbags would deploy, which help slow the vehicle down to a complete stop. If car makers get this working, it'll be a game changer.
13 Maker: Mercedes
As bizarre as this new airbag feature sounds, it's something to get behind if it really prevents accidents. According to Auto How Stuff Works, Mercedes is already working on this new technology. Although Mercedes has been working on this for some time, it has yet to appear on any of their cars.
They haven't given a timeline yet either on when consumers can expect this feature to roll out. For now, consumers will have to settle for airbags in their current state. One can trust Mercedes that if this feature does ever see the light of day, it'll work effectively.
12 Future Innovation: Augmented Reality Dashboards
Similar to Toyota's "window to the world" backseat displays, there are dashboards in the works that can display important information to drivers. According to Auto How Stuff Works, these AR dashboards, which stand for augmented reality, can scan objects on the road.
Working like a heads-up-display, the entire dashboard can tell a driver how far away they are from the next car or other objects around the vehicle. It sounds like the failed Google Glass device, which could provide data against a transparent background. Although this has already appeared in movies for years, it could soon start popping up in actual cars.
11 Maker: BMW
It's no surprise that BMW is working on implementing augmented reality into cars. With CaaS and the Mini Vision concept car, it makes sense they'd also consider a vehicle's interior technology as well.
According to Auto How Stuff Works, the legendary carmaker has already released some vehicles with a windshield display. Although the displays sound limited in what kind of information it shows to the driver. Even more than an AR dashboard for customers, BMW wants to create something for mechanics as well. By wearing special glasses, they're able to diagnose a vehicle's engine and the parts needed to repair it.
10 Future Innovation: Cars That Talk To Each Other
The technology car makers are working on not only has the potential to add convenience to people's lives but also save them. According to Future Structure, there are already cars that share and communicate information with each other. What is being coined as vehicle-to-vehicle communication is where cars will know the actions of other cars before it happens.
Actions such as turning, braking or accelerating are shareable intel other cars around it can know and respond to. In order for this to work though, it requires every vehicle to come equipped with this technology. If all cars had this, there would probably be a lot fewer accidents on the road.
9 Maker: Cadillac
Vehicle-to-vehicle communication, or V2V for short, may not be so far in the future after all. Cadillac has already implemented this system in their vehicles. Back in 2017, Cadillac included it in their CTS sport sedans, according to Future Structure. The technology is being compared to something like Wi-Fi.
While it might be easier to implement than many would expect, what could pose a problem is cybersecurity. As cars continue to become more digital, the threat of cyber hacking vehicles becomes a growing concern. As this technology advances, carmakers have to consider this subject as they roll it out on to new vehicles.
8 Future Innovation: Self-Driving Cars
The idea that cars will be able to drive themselves one day makes some feel skittish. All the world has ever known is cars that require drivers. It looks like the world, however, is on the brink of having autonomous vehicles roll out soon.
Having autonomous cars would bring lots of benefit to passengers. Instead of spending the trip focusing on the road and other drivers, one can catch up on sleep instead or spend time working. It's a convenient way to use one's time on the go. As Towards Data Science notes, the car would accelerate and brake on its own using sensors and cameras equipped on the car.
7 Makers: Google, Local Motors, And Ford
Car makers—knowing that driverless cars will change the industry—are working to be the first. As Towards Data Science notes, Google looks to be ahead of the pack, having unveiled Waymo, a pod-like vehicle. Although they're known for making fewer vehicles than some of the other bigger carmakers, Local Motors also launched a self-driving vehicle.
As far as the traditional and big carmakers go, Ford has made mention of wanting to get a driverless car out by 2021. Although this general due date gives them a buffer of time, it suggests they already have something in the works.
6 Future Innovation: A Personalized Way To Say Hello
Concept cars never cease to amaze car enthusiasts and amateurs alike. While they often have lots of promise, car makers aren't always able to deliver. Many are hoping that's not the case though with the concept car called Mini Vision. According to Business Insider, as revealed in the concept car video, there's a welcome system that can recognize a person as they're stepping into the vehicle.
The plan is to have this feature as part of a ridesharing service. It’s amazing to have a car recognize whoever its passenger is, even if it drives hundreds of different people a day. It's safe to say the driving experience will become more personalized in the years to come.
5 Maker: BMW
Like something out of the movie Minority Report starring Tom Cruise, the Mini Vision gives a glimpse of what it's like to have a car welcome a passenger. The carmaker behind the Mini Vision was none other than BMW.
There's a reason BMW has been around for 100 years; they're always finding ways to adapt and evolve in the automotive industry. While the company promises the car will be available for riders 24/7 as Jalopnik reports, what they aren't so clear on is when the car will drop exactly. It's best to limit one's expectations in the meantime.
4 Future Innovation: Cars-As-A-Service
As horrifying and unimaginable as it might sound, there could soon be a world where people don't own cars. With all the talk about there being autonomous vehicles, more companies are considering CaaS, or car-as-a-service.
According to Computer World, companies like Google are looking into putting driverless cars on the road that people can hitch a ride from any time. Although it would take a lot of fun away from car owners, it does lend a lot of practicality and convenience to everyday life. No more need for a driver’s license or repair costs for one thing.
3 Maker: BMW
In spite of how much Google has already explored the option of CaaS, some car makers are beating them to the punch. The New York Times reports that BMW is already testing it on some areas including Seattle. Instead of calling a car up through Uber, someone used BMW's service called ReachNow, to summon an SUV at their disposal. BMW hopes to have autonomous vehicles at one point through this service. Although there's no date on when consumers can expect CaaS, it says a lot that car makers are getting behind it and not just tech companies.
2 Future Innovation: Using A Fingerprint To Start A Vehicle
It's almost reached the point where inserting a key into a car door seems primitive. Though it's still the primary way for people to get into their cars, there are so many other ways now. Remember those keypad numbers that used to be on car doors? Today, there are fobs and keyless methods that allow drivers to get in their cars. Someday though, there's a new technology that doesn't seem so hard to imagine, considering smartphones and other touchscreen devices.
According to the site Interesting Engineering, there will be a way to enter a car using one's finger. When cars have a way to read a fingerprint, the ideas in science fiction are no longer fiction.
1 Maker: Ford
For those who can't wait to ditch their keys and be able to enter a vehicle using their fingerprint, there's good news. Interesting Engineering reports that Ford got the patent back in 2015. Some are probably wondering where these vehicles are then?
It's possible they're developing it or even considering other options. Another way to enter a car without keys is using retinal scans, which sounds like something out of a spy movie. The real question is whether that technology will arrive on something else before cars, like the front door to someone’s house. It's really only a matter of time.
Sources: Forbes, Car and Driver, Interesting Engineering, New York Times