Until very recently, the majority of in-car accessories and useful apps have been limited to music and maps. As the driver needs to keep both eyes on the road and, preferably, both hands on the wheel, there’s very little space to bring in accessories and systems that go beyond attaching a dashboard camera or installing massager cushion seats – or so we thought.
A new of technology has arrived, and with it, in-car engagements are set to undergo monumental changes from how the driver interacts with the world to the capabilities of backseat entertainment. It won’t be long before one’s phone becomes a core part of the driving experience, with an entertainment focus in the back sure to accompany this revolution of in-car engagements.
Real-time charge station updates
Electric cars have become the necessary future of transport, with more and more people finally making the switch to an electric model. As the roads start to see more electric cars, there’ll be an increased demand and supply of electric charging points.
While these are readily available around the country already, we’re in a middling time when charging station distributors are playing catch-up to the increasing volume of electric cars being purchased. As most people charge their cars at home, this isn’t a major issue, but can still be an inconvenience.
So, the ChargePoint app has already become a necessity for many drivers. It provides real-time updates on charging stations, and it allows for you to filter the display to show only compatible charging points for your vehicle. With over 110,600 charging points registered and tracked on the app, recharging electric cars has become much easier.
Entertainment in the backseat
One of the biggest distractions for drivers are other people in the car, mostly those sitting in the back. Boredom and a desire to talk can make driving, particularly on long journeys, very difficult. While there are few sources of distraction at the ready, such as phones and portable gaming consoles, the introduction of 5G could take the backseat experience to a whole new level.
People are already exploring the future of 5G, with 5G roads and self-driving cars being among the most desirable uses of the technology. The power of 5G cannot be understated, with Sony Ericsson’s Edge Computing already combining with Qualcomm Technologies to showcase the world’s first 5G in-car entertainment system with 4K content downloads.
We are still several years away from any of this becoming an everyday reality for most people. Still, as the technology is adopted, companies will explore new ways to make their entertainment products accessible in cars. It stands to reason that 5G-enabled devices like tablets will be installed on the back of car seats, with internet browsing being one of the first options available.
With this, all web-browser based gaming options will be among the first to be utilised by car passengers. As the iGaming industry continues to evolve at a rapid rate, adapting to new technologies very quickly, brands like Vegas Slots Online and its 7780 free games will almost certainly be among the first car-compatible gaming platforms. Once this browser-based gaming is established, other companies will look to make their offering usable in cars, with movie streaming services like Netflix and gaming companies like Google Stadia likely to try and weigh-in on the new sector.
Artificial intelligence is growing in power
We’ve all seen the range of household artificial intelligence products, such as Amazon’s Alexa, but now the technology is becoming so powerful that it’s being trusted by drivers. Both of the mainline operating systems, Android and Apple have released their own co-pilot apps to help drivers without creating a distraction.
Android Auto allows you to have all of your phone’s features in your car’s dashboard, featuring an easy-to-use interface, big icons, and a specialised navigation system. As Android is a Google product, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Google Maps powers the navigation features. To help you to keep your eyes on the road, the app will automatically detect heavy volumes of traffic and trigger an alternate route. Through voice controls, you can search the internet, stay connected to your messages, and make phone calls.
Apple’s CarPlay is very similar in its functionalities to Android Auto, only it’s built for Apple devices. The artificial intelligence of the Apple iOS, Siri, obeys your every command, from getting directions to making phone calls. There are some compatible apps that aren’t made by Apple, chief among which is Google Maps, so Apple users can make use of the primary feature of Android Auto.
While modern technology continues to give us a better experience in the car as a driver and passenger, when 5G goes mainstream, we can expect to see even bigger changes to the in-car experience.
