Gadgets and cars have seemingly always had a symbiotic relationship. As cars have evolved, so, too, have the gadgets that make driving more enjoyable.
The connection between cars and gadgets has become even stronger in recent decades, a time marked by rapid technological advancements and one in which car buyers increasingly look for tech-friendly cars and trucks. Buyers in the market for new automobiles may be surprised by some of these innovations that have changed driving.
Remote start: No one enjoys enduring frigid winter mornings or suffocating summer heat as they sit in their cars waiting for their engines to warm up or for their windshields to defrost. Innovation has made such unpleasantries a thing of the past thanks to remote start technology, which allows drivers to use their smartphones to start their vehicles from inside their homes.
Bluetooth connectivity: Bluetooth connectivity has been around for years, and this advancement has made staying connected while behind the wheel more convenient and more safe. All it takes is connecting your smartphone to your vehicle’s bluetooth. Once that connection is made, drivers can play music, accept phone calls and even receive text messages while keeping their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road the entire time.
Self-parking: Drivers who never mastered the art of parallel parking need not avoid cities any longer. Some cars now come with self-parking features that drivers simply turn on. Once the feature is enabled, the car will parallel park itself.
Blindspot monitoring: Aging drivers who haven’t purchased a new car in a while but are in the market may be thrilled to learn that blindspots have become a thing of the past. Blindspot monitoring systems alert drivers of approaching cars via a light on their side view mirrors and/or a sound as drivers attempt to change lanes. This can make it easier for aging drivers with flexibility issues to avoid accidents when changing lanes. Anti-collision warning systems operate in a similar fashion, alerting motorists, and potentially even applying the brakes, if the system suspects the car is about to hit something.
Massaging seats: Many tech products in vehicles are designed to make driving safer, while others are all about comfort. Massaging seats falls into the latter category. Such seats make it easy for drivers who like long road trips to get through trips without succumbing to the aches and pains that can develop when sitting behind the wheel for long stretches.