Opinions on smart cars

In 2022, it’s just a Subaru. Or a Dodge. Or just about any moderately selected new model from the last two years.  Automakers are rushing to introduce new and exciting technology, to make Smart Cars, which means we’re also seeing a lot of new features that are either unnecessary or at best lighthearted. 

These days, walk to your car and it recognizes your keys and unlocks the door. This can also adjust the seat to your preferred position; connect wirelessly to your phone; or change the interior accent lights to the yellow, green, or purple you chose. However, last time,  Mardi Gras was fixed and never updated. Also, it asks if you want to play Centipede or maybe order a pizza. 

These are significant improvements to the automotive experience, and if this were 1982 or, even 2012 (pre-Apple CarPlay days), this hypothetical car would be an incredible feat of technology. 

Everyone thinks of “connected” and “smart” cars, so why are so many benefits of those shiny, sensor-laden,  computer-heavy smart cars? Well, is it real? Or is it stupid? 

I’m not against stupid. Puddle lights spell out the car’s name when you open the door. The glamour. Although they are less useful for finding the house key you just dropped. The infotainment system offers natural sound, and the radio can change the volume with just a swipe of a magic hand. 

But while product managers are busy copying each other’s ideas for small LED light shows, there are still some automotive downsides that we’ve barely mentioned since the Curved Dash. Olds. 

Since I want to help, here are a few places I think smart car technology can help improve the driving experience in the long run. If you want a light show, let’s talk shade. The sun is the enemy of the traveler since the first must go west in the afternoon. 

And yet, the biggest improvement I’ve seen in sun protection is the addition of a small flap that extends to the rear half of the side windows. Sometimes there are mirrors, there are mirrors with lights. It’s good, but the sun is still in my eyes. Some car manufacturers use electrochromic technology on their glass roofs to change from transparent to translucent. 

Can’t we do the same on windows? There are color rules, but what if the windshield could follow the hot spot and just darken? What if all the windows were darkened while the car was parked to keep the interior cool? Sunglasses can automatically darken. Would the auto industry comfortably be overtaken by a $200 pair of Ray-Bans?

I’m not done dealing with visibility complaints. Mirrors should adjust to the driver’s eye level. Cadillac already tracks your face to make sure you’re paying full attention when using Super Cruise, and Subaru uses facial recognition to adjust the seats and mirrors to preset positions. 

If we step further, that is to say, if we adapt technology to help you ensure the position where you are and offer an automatical-calculation service for the greatest settings of rearview as well as side mirrors, can we gain a better future? If so, why not we have a try?  Speaking of facial recognition, the new Genesis GV60 unlocks with the face-level camera and boots through the fingerprint sensor. 

Biometrics are already used, mostly to sell us things, but if our cars are following us, can they at least be better friends than tattletale? Maybe warn us when we’re too sleepy to drive, flag low blood sugar and direct us to the nearest Wendy’s, or notice when we’re crying and playing something sad. I recommend using Joni Mitchell’s blue to match the light. Engineers, if you’re reading this, I have plenty of other suggestions:  nap airbags, phone coolers, and self-cleaning steering wheels. 

If you have any different ideas, leave your comments below. We are glad to exchange opinions with you.