March 19, 2017
With so much new technology becoming available for all types of vehicles, many auto manufacturers are planning on providing their clients with all types of supplementary systems and options for the future. Ford, in particular, is planning on optimizing a number of processes and providing individuals with additional benefits when they drive their vehicles, especially in the field of self-driving cars. Ford's representatives have said that the automaker giant is interested in making future vehicles become better at listening and observing. They are planning on building vehicles that are capable of adapting to the smallest of changes in their drivers’ vocal and facial changes. Through such a sensory system, individuals may be able to better provide their vehicles with information so that the car can adapt to the drive as necessary.
In order to accomplish such results, the company is planning on partnering with a large German technology university in order to create more advanced microphone and camera systems that work inside the vehicle. The systems can help by providing drivers with all types of quality of life changes. The technology can learn about what songs the driver likes to listen to on specific drives, it can adjust the lighting to better fit the driver's mood, and it can even tell the driver a joke if they are in a bad mood. What was once in the realm of science fiction is now slowly becoming a reality as more and more drivers stand to benefit from such small technological changes.
The team at the RWTH Aachen University are also planning on working with systems that can follow the individual's eyes or gestures in order to allow them to adjust their air conditioner or make a call without the driver having to say anything at all. These technological achievements can help make all types of drives all the more comfortable and pleasant, especially for drivers who are interested in using their vehicle for the long-term. The changes can help make the drive feel more organic and intuitive as well, which can be invaluable for new drivers.
With the technology slowly becoming more and more available as the research goes on, Ford anticipates that over 90 percent of all new vehicles developed by the brand may be able to offer voice recognition by as early as 2022. The voice-control capabilities can be available in 75 percent of the vehicles within that same time frame as well. Ford is also planning on having a fully driverless car without pedals, brakes or steering wheels by as early as 2021. Many fans of the brand are looking forward to seeing how these technological developments can make driving even more enjoyable in the future.