Vehicles haven’t fundamentally changed since they were introduced at the beginning of the 20th century. They still have a steering wheel and four tires. Technology, however, has revolutionized how vehicles assist drivers in their driving experience and make them safer.
In truth, the automotive industry continues to be a leader in innovation. Carmakers have always sought or developed technologies to make automobiles safer and energy-efficient. Technologies have also been adopted to make the design and manufacturing process faster but systematic.
For the next ten years, the world can expect more advanced technologies from the automotive industry. Today and for 2022, the industry is leveraging several advanced technologies to radically reshape how cars are designed, manufactured, and used. The Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial
intelligence (AI), in particular, offers a promising future for the industry.
Why the Push for Technological Advancement Is Important
Even before the pandemic, innovations in the automotive industry were already well in their way. Now, however, their realizations are more important than ever.
The pandemic, supply chain disruption, and global chip shortage have severely impacted various business sectors and industries. The automotive industry has also been critically affected. To emerge from all the issues affecting organizations, the industry needs to leverage advanced technologies,
according to the Automation World magazine.
There is also a global concern for climate change, requiring the automotive industry to develop vehicles and manufacturing processes that emit less or zero carbon. Digital twin production systems and electric vehicles will become the norm in the following years. Connected vehicle services and autonomous vehicles will become the future of the industry.
Apart from these technologies, the emerging technologies will shape the automotive market in 2022 and beyond.
Autonomous Vehicles
Autonomous vehicles are a technology that allows cars to drive themselves. While various forms of the technology have been adopted by carmakers over the past decades, Tesla made the technology popular when it released its first fully-autonomous car in 2016.
Autonomous vehicles will be increasingly seen on roads and highways in the next few years. However, the driving experience it provides is not the only factor that experts believe will move the technology forward.
Carmakers promise that autonomous vehicles will make roads safer and less pollution. It will reduce traffic and parking space. Business models used by ride-hailing and car rental services will be transformed. Ultimately, autonomous vehicles will change consumers’ relationship with driving and vehicles in general.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is almost everywhere nowadays. It’s used by nearly all business sectors and industries. In the automotive world, 77% of organizations are already using AI, according to Accenture.
AI allows carmakers to adopt computer vision, deep learning, and machine learning technologies. These AI technologies are used in robotic automation. Accenture further reported that 63% of auto companies aim to use robotics within the next two years. They are hoping to implement it in uncontrolled environments.
Internet-of-things (IoT) Technology
Unknown to many, many startups and emerging automotive companies lead the way in the use of Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies. Although they can’t surpass giants, these companies, like EcoG and KonnectShift, will be the catalysts that will push the industry to increase the use of IoT technologies. Startups are already developing their IoT offerings.
IoT technologies improve secured interactions between infrastructure components and vehicles. They enable cars to gather data and analyze surroundings when on the road. This results in better fleet management, improved road safety, reduced traffic congestion, and efficient energy use.
And one of the most promising features of IoT is predictive maintenance. The data it collects includes the performance and overall maintenance of a vehicle. Soon, in-car IoT apps will tell drivers when to purchase car mats online or change particular parts. More impressively, it can predict when a specific part requires maintenance even before they break.
Electric Vehicles
Aside from autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles have become popular in recent years. Today, they are needed more than ever to help developed countries meet their targeted carbon emissions. Thankfully, with the recent laws passed in the US, particularly the Build Back Better (still in Senate) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts (IIJA), electrification of cars in the country now has a bright future.
The World Looks Forward
Fortunately, amid the current problems challenging businesses, the automotive industry is undeterred in its goal to provide innovations in mobility. The world would welcome these advancements considering their promise of safer roads, reduced congestion, fuel efficiency, and sustainability.