Almost 17 million new cars were purchased in the United States in 2020, the National Automobile Dealers Association reveals. And car technology is evolving at a rapid rate to optimize the driving experience for consumers. Titanium and carbon fiber, hot-car safety systems, and HUD display are some of the coolest pieces of car tech to look out for.
Titanium and carbon fiber
The 2020 Lexus RC F is an exciting new model that incorporates a carbon fiber shell, along with titanium, to offer high performance combined with dramatic styling. Impressively, its 5.0-liter V-8 engine produces 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque. The carbon fiber body panels are low-weight yet strong. The titanium is practically utilized in the car’s exhaust: TMS Titanium (www.tmstitanium.com) note that this material is durable, non-corrosive and light-weight, which makes it the ideal material for car parts. Moreover, the Lexus RC F also features printed titanium wheels to provide unparalleled strength, durability, and visual impact.
Hot-car safety systems for children
Many car models now come with an alert feature that lets drivers know they’ve left something in the back seat, but Italy’s Filo takes this feature a step further. Their Tata Band for infants neatly attaches to the car’s seat belt, and uses a special capacitive sensor to identify whether the child is in the seat or not. It also connects to the driver’s smartphone via Bluetooth, so if a parent leaves their child in the car, the Tata Band will send a notification to their phone. If the notification is ignored, it’ll then call the phone before sending out a general alarm to emergency contacts. The Tata Band will be available to buy in the US soon.
Augmented reality HUD display
Panasonic recently debuted its augmented reality heads-up display at the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show. Although some cars already project information onto the windscreen for drivers, Panasonic’s taking this concept a step further. Its augmented reality HUD display layers colorful symbols and markers like hazard warnings and turn-by-turn directions onto the outside world viewed through the windshield. This precise, real-world alignment is designed to improve safety for driver, passengers and pedestrians. It should be on the market by 2024.
Car tech has come a long way in recent years. Titanium and carbon fiber, hot-car safety systems, and HUD display are some of the most exciting new features you can look forward to seeing soon.
