So what is a Smart Car?

Also known as intelligent cars, smart cars are vehicles that are equipped with system-driven forms of artificial intelligence. The underlying concept of the smart car is to free the driver from many of the mundane tasks associated with driving, making the act of driving more pleasant (well, for those who do not like driving, some of us aren’t in this category *winks).

Proponents of this type of technological innovation have often noted that by relieving the driver of at least part of the decision-making process, there is the possibility that the widespread use of intelligent cars would help to make our roadways much safer than they are today.

The idea of a smart car has been around for a number of decades. Motion pictures and television shows have sometimes featured cars with highly developed artificial intelligence, and some that were even capable of independent thought and action but they’ve long since moved from being fictitious to actual workable concepts as there are vehicles today that are equipped with semi/fully-autonomous-driving-capabilities.

While the reality of the smart car is not quite as advanced as those theatrical portrayals, continuing efforts to make the most of existing technology has led to a number of automotive innovations that are currently being tested.

Smart car development has already led to some innovations that are commonplace on many makes and models today. One example is the modern automatic emergency notification system, in which sensors on the vehicle connect with a central support organisation and relay distress signals when there is a collision or some sort of mechanical failure. These same systems also allow for voice interaction between the driver and a remote personnel who can alert authorities and thus, provide assistance to an injured or incapacitated driver. Airbags that deploy externally to brace the impact of a pedestrian or by-stander(s), and a couple of others.

Many of the features envisioned for smart car production have to do with protecting the driver as well as other people and vehicles on the road. An autonomous cruise control feature activates automatically when road conditions are favourable for maintaining a consistent speed, thus minimising the chances for traveling above the posted speed limit.

Headlamps that automatically turn on when light conditions darken to a specific point are another example of smart innovation. A lane departure warning system and lane departure “correction” (where the steering wheel is automatically adjusted to fit a car in-between driving lanes) that activates when a vehicle veers off its designated lane, is another example of a feature that would help drivers avoid accidents and remain safe.

Efforts to create a smart car for mass production is ongoing, with some of the efforts spearheaded by government-approved organisations and commissions. Some private concerns are also involved in the continuing efforts to develop the ultimate smart car. Among the other features currently under development include the ability of the car to drive safely without the input of a human driver, there have been long distance tests carried out thus far but not without a few incidences. We’re well on our way to perfecting these technologies. A monitoring system that would detect when a driver was intoxicated, in some sort of medical distress, or any other situation that have rendered them incapable of driving safely.

There are also efforts to develop traffic sign recognition systems that would allow vehicles to detect and interpret traffic signals and signs posted along the side of the road. And also, the ability of such vehicles to communicate with each other thereby making our roads even safer to traverse accross.

Another step in the evolution of these more-advanced transportation systems would be autonomous pods that can fit-in multiple passengers and probably equipped with the ability to levitate. Hopefully, “we’ll cross that bridge” and navigate our way safely through this ever-expanding/ever-evolving world of technological advancements – when, or if we ever get there…

Do tell us, are you excited for when this becomes a reality and autonomous vehicles entirely fill up our roads?

https://autohub.ng/blog/smart-cars-reality-or-fiction/