Here’s What Your Future Relationship With A Semi-Autonomous Car Could Look Like Posted on : Jun 27 - 2020

In the past decade, cars have become smarter in ways we previously never thought possible. They have gained internet connections, formed successful relationships with our smartphones via CarPlay and Android Auto, and learned a whole host of new semi-autonomous driving skills.

They have also turned into the largest ‘device’ we own, morphing from simply a mode of transport, into a smart gadget with abilities of our phones, smartwatches and computers. Next, they’ll get much better at communicating with those products, and with the services – especially health and wellbeing services – we use everyday. And, of course, they’ll get even safer too.

With this transition well underway, and with a very long runway ahead before (if) we reach full autonomy, car manufacturers and their technology partners are busy preparing for a shift in how the car is perceived, and interacted with.

“We are keeping a pretty close eye on the consumer space, because this is having a huge influence, and even an increasing influence, on what [consumers] expect the car to be able to do.” says Tim VanGoethem, vice president of Advanced Mobility Solutions at Harman X, a division of Samsung-owned Harman International. “The car is no longer viewed by people as this independent isolated domain, it’s another place that we spend part of our life, and where we still expect to be as connected as we have become elsewhere.”

The first steps here are easy and already mostly complete. Cars have internet connections, while voice assistants like Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant are increasingly common. Taking this further, Harman believes, will be a sharing of data between the car and every other aspect of our digital lives.

“What you did before you got in the car would be really interesting [for the car manufacturer] to know, because it might shape what your experience in the car should be,” VanGoethem continues. “If you get in the car and you had a bad night’s sleep [as recorded by your fitness tracker], the navigation might take that into account and take you on a road that might not be the fastest, but would be the least tensive for you, because you may not be mentally prepared for the traffic.”

VanGoethem sees it of critical importance that automotive technology companies like Harman can build a picture of the “the before, during and after you,” meaning a picture of your physical and mental health before, during and after you are in the car. That way, a poor night’s sleep can result in a simpler drive to work, for example. “I’m certain that those conversations are going on between the big health and consumer spaces, and automotive,” VanGoethem added.

The foundations of these technologies will come from a need by car manufacturers to meet ever-stricter crash test regulations from the likes of Europe’s NCAP. The technologies will first be installed to make cars safer, potentially even taking control from the driver if the vehicle senses a health problem. View More