A long road trip in the so-called mature markets of the world is just a few clicks away! That is, a few clicks on the navigation system. Punch in the address, choose a via point (if you plan on stopping at one), or choose the shortest or fastest or most scenic route to reach the destination...that is it. You can then head out.
In-Car navigation has had more than a decade of fantastic growth. There are several functions that are now tied to and feature coordinated performance with the car’s NAV: heads-up displays, adaptive cruise control, adaptive headlamps, on-board and exterior cameras, and driver alertness warning systems.
Sensors, cameras, GPS tracking systems and proprietary algorithms are constantly communicating with each other en-route to warn you of speed limits, to suggest coffee breaks, to inform you that the road up ahead is turning to the left or right, and to automatically slow down or speed up to a preset cruise speed based on the traffic on the highway.
After a decade of development, however, embedded car navigation systems are fast being replaced by the smartphone!
Of course, we know of Google's Android Auto and Apple's CarPlay, both of which are aimed at integrating the handphone with the car's entertainment and communication system. But, in the near future they could be platforms for integrating the car's navigation and safety systems too.
Auto Adapt
Android Auto and CarPlay were born out of the primary need to reduce the risk of driver distraction and to improve safety while driving. Our obsessive need to stay connected and as a consequence almost childish attachment to our cellphones makes them a potential driving hazard on the road.
More than 25 per cent of all accidents in the US and Europe are caused by cellphone-related driver distraction. Texting while driving and speaking over the handphone with hands off the wheel are leading causes of accidents. While driving at average speeds, just a two-second distraction, for example to take one's eyes away from the road to look at a phone screen, is said to be enough to cause a major accident.
Both the ecosystems — Google's Android and Apple's iOS — already have the ingredients for enabling many of the communication features. In addition to that, there has always been the Bluetooth protocol that allows you to use your smartphone handsfree, once it’s connected to the car’s infotainment system.
Overcoming Challenges
However, till a couple of years ago, the cellphone couldn't have doubled up as a safety and navigation device. Strangely, car manufacturers weren’t willing to completely entrust the job of the navigator to the mobile phones because of phone’s portability and inability to multi-task while being used for its primary purpose.
That is going to change with the newer smartphones that are hitting the shelves, with a lot more in store for the future.The hardware that has been built into these handsets is twice as powerful as their predecessors and the operating systems will soon have even more features that will aid seamless integration with the car's systems. Such phones could take the game to a whole new level, well above the plain vanilla navigation systems.
Quick Connect
The connected car is the future and the device that actually makes it one will be the smartphone. The possibilities are endless and some of these are already being explored. Imagine the day when connected cellphones communicate with each other between two cars on the highway and act as adaptive cruise controls. How about a virtual assistant that plans you route, advices you at regular intervals along the way to take coffee breaks and downloads the map and brochure of the theme park you are visiting. Wont it also be convenient if it auto dials emergency assistance if it detects an accident or roadside emergency?
Right now, in addition to its standard repertoire, the smartphone can already read out messages, take instructions for navigation and music controls and surf the web. The day is not far when smartphones will be the entertainment, safety and navigation hub of your car.