The future of driving will be connected

The year is 2019, and already it’s pretty much impossible to get into a car without some form of connectivity. Unless you’re driving something like a stripped back track day speed machine – with no mod cons or unnecessary weight – almost every single new vehicle on sale in the UK today possesses digital connectivity technology. This is just the beginning. In the future, it’s unlikely we’ll be able to drive at all without connectivity.

Connectivity: The present

Cars play a significant role in both our personal and work lives, so much so that we spend a good portion of time with them on a daily basis. Out of the car, our lives have become more and more connected to the wider world, with WiFi, broadband and internet access taken for granted by the majority of us in the UK. As such, it should come as no surprise to learn that both drivers and passengers are increasingly demanding in-car connectivity.

We want to listen to our own playlist at a time that suits us, not be constrained by whatever’s available on the radio. We want to let people know where we are and what we’re up to, via social networks. We want to be able to contact our friends at any time and use the latest apps to improve our experience while on our travels. The days of simply ‘I spy’ are numbered.

With the latest developments in automotive connectivity, many of us are now able to do all these things – and more – if we’re driving many of the new cars that have come to market in the last twelve months. Wireless technology, like Bluetooth, has been widely adopted by almost all car makers, and until a viable alternative presents itself, it will continue to dominate in-car wireless connectivity.

But it’s not just about leisure and entertainment. Connectivity also helps to keep us safer, with built-in SIM cards providing us with ‘SOS’ buttons for use in emergencies. Some car makers even provide a concierge service, enabling motorists to speak directly to another person who can offer help, advice or assistance.

Continental and the future of connectivity

Like most things in our lives, the car evolves to become what we need it to be. Designers and engineers at Continental are working tirelessly to innovate and push developments in connectivity to the next level. Continental have been at the forefront of car connectivity for many years. As Dr Elmar Degenhart, Chairman of the Board at Continental said, “We are the architects of an ecosystem of safe, clean and intelligent mobility. We are, after all, already supplying what others are still testing.”

Continental are already working on 5G mobile communication technology, giving the vehicles of the future up to 10 gigabits of bandwidth. This makes it possible to transmit data up to 30 times faster than is possible in the current generation of road cars. These improvements to the amount of data, type of data, and speed of data will determine the type of connectivity-driven applications that shape the near future of motoring, such as those required for autonomous driving.

We can also expect to see cars speaking to each other. The Swedish automaker, Volvo, recently announced that its vehicles will soon be able to communicate with each other about potentially hazardous levels of grip on the road – something that Continental are already developing through their innovative ContiSense tyre technology.

Future connectivity in cars isn’t just about our interaction with them; it’s about cars communicating with other vehicles, and the environments they are driven in – essential for the development of autonomous vehicles. And while this prospect is still some way from fruition, there’s no doubt that connectivity is going to be central to its success – or otherwise – and the future of driving.

You may also like