At the beginning of each year, we like to report on the new technology trends in the automotive industry—especially as they relate to safety—and 2025 has some developments of note. Here are a few of them.
Augmented Reality Dashboards
Though head-up displays (HUDs) have been around for several years, the newest versions incorporate augmented reality into their technology. The goal of AR software for car dashboards is to increase driver safety as well as to improve the overall driving experience. AR is integrated with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) software that automatically collects sensor and camera data and tracks geolocation while the vehicle is operating. According to ScienceSoft, AR dashboards can provide simplified navigation, unobstructed views, parking guidance, and alerts and notifications.
More Screens
The use of screens in automotive technology is expanding. In 2025, we can expect more screens, bigger screens, fused screens, and smart screens. The goal is to integrate systems for a smoother user experience and to contribute to overall driving safety. Screens can provide things like blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning. However, research has shown that too many screens can actually distract drivers and force them to take their eyes off the road for longer periods of time thus compromising safety.
Are Buttons Returning?
Some automotive companies are looking into reimplementing buttons over touchscreens in their dashboard displays. Many people prefer physical buttons over touchscreens because they are generally considered safer and more intuitive to use while driving. Some people even find touchscreens to be more stressful to use. According to consumers, drivers can memorize the position and feel of buttons and locate them without looking, while touchscreens require them to take their eyes off of the road to navigate the screen.
The European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) has announced that it will introduce new safety testing that could result in a change to how automakers approach new vehicle interiors and touchscreens, likely requiring more physical controls. However, some automotive experts are recommending a balance between touchscreens and physical buttons for optimal safety.
Improved Air Filtration
In automotive design, there is a new push toward providing healthy, comfortable in-cabin environments and active monitoring of the health and comfort of the people inside. For example, HEPA-certified air filtration systems are coming to more vehicles in 2025. This can make a big difference for those who suffer from allergies or asthma. In addition, great air purification systems can help reduce the spread of airborne illnesses and decrease the degree to which passengers are exposed to pollution and other environmental factors.
Added Sensors
Sensors are already common in many cars today. Outside sensors and invisible hood view features can enhance hazard awareness capabilities and other road safety features. Now some automakers are putting sensors inside cars that can do things like check for left behind pets and children, perform automatic climate control, and even make suggestions on things like alternate routes and driver breaks. Some cars are even being developed with sensors that can monitor a driver’s health. These sensors can detect heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation and warn of an emergency situation.
Self-driving Cars
In 2025, we will see more major automakers put out their first or an enhanced edition of their self-driving features. Though completely self-driving cars are not available yet, according to US News, it appears we are getting close!
While cars with self-driving features have the potential to be significantly safer because they can react faster to situations, and they eliminate human error, they still have their downside. A study published in 2024 by the Nature Communications Journal analyzing accident data from 2,100 autonomous driving systems and 35,113 human-driven vehicles found that self-driving cars had fewer accidents in most comparable situations. However, the study also showed that self-driving cars were more likely to crash in scenarios of low-light/low-visibility, unexpected obstacles, complex road conditions, and during turns than human-driven vehicles.
As you look at the types of cars available to you in 2025, we hope you will choose options that provide you with the safest driving experience. And if you are in a crash this year, come to one of our 18 Accident and Injury Clinics where we will give you the Pro Treatment and get you back on the road as soon as possible.