cars Archives | Accident & Injury Chiropractic

At the beginning of each new year, it’s fun to see what innovations in car technology are available and projected to be available in the coming year. What does the car “roadscape” look like in 2024? They’re everywhere; they’re everywhere! On the highways. In the supermarket parking lot. In your neighbor’s driveway. Maybe even in your own driveway. In 2024, electric cars are expected to dominate the automotive market more than ever before as major automakers are investing heavily in their development. Today, EVs are more accessible and affordable, and charging ports are popping up all over the place. In the first quarter of 2023, sales were up 25% over the same time period in 2022, and that trend is expected to continue in 2024. EVs are also becoming more technologically advanced, though there are still some bugs that need to be worked out. Currently, EV batteries work best in a temperature range of 68-86 degrees. Temperatures out of this range can affect the batteries efficiency, ability to hold a charge, and time and energy needed to recharge them. This was recently demonstrated in the Chicago area when at least 10 Teslas in Evergreen Park, Illinois, had to be towed due to dead batteries and not enough charging stations. Improvements in battery technology will resolve this issue and extend the range of EVs thus making them a practical choice for everyday use. The rise of electric vehicles is reshaping the manufacturing process as well. “From the use of recycled materials to the adoption of eco-friendly production, automakers are aligning their practices with a commitment to sustainability.” Also in 2024, the auto industry is expected to see significant advancements in the area of autonomous driving. Though fully autonomous vehicles aren’t yet readily available, new cars this year will sport more sophisticated advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Most mainstream carmakers have been focused on Level 2 autonomy which allows cars to take over most steering, acceleration and braking functions but still requires the driver to remain fully attentive and be able to intervene as needed. Thus, today’s autopilot systems are really assisted-driving systems rather than self-driving. As we begin 2024, Level 2 autopilot vehicles include the following features for use on freeways and highways with controlled access. Stop-and-Go Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)With ACC, the car uses radar and/or cameras to maintain a following distance from the car in front, automatically slowing down and speeding up as needed. Some of the newer systems can slow down all the way to a stop and resume when traffic begins moving again. Automated Lane Centering (ALC) Most ALC systems help nudge a car back towards the center of the lane if the car drifts. For autopilot, the vehicle should be able to keep itself in the center of the lane and follow a freeway or highway that isn’t too curvy or doesn’t have sharp curves. Level 2 autopilot vehicles may also include: Automated Lane Changing Using built-in sensors, this feature allows a vehicle to automatically change lanes on freeways after the driver initiates or approves a lane-change maneuver. Autopilot on All Roads Most autopilot systems can only handle freeways and highways that are controlled access roads. This means they have on-ramps and off-ramps with no cross traffic. However, some Level 2 autopilot systems can work on any roads where markings are clear and the driver is fully engaged to be able to watch for cross-traffic and traffic signs. Follow Navigation Route This system allows vehicles to automatically follow a navigation route on freeways, change lanes as needed, and handle freeway interchanges. This system only works on freeways. Most cars with autopilot features also have some automated safety systems including: Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) If a large object is detected in front of the car, this system will brake as well as give a collision warning. Blind Spot Monitoring This system alerts the driver if another car is in the blind spot. Lane Departure Warning This system alerts the driver if he or she is drifting out of the lane. By the latter part of this year, we can expect to see more Level 3 and 4 cars where human intervention is minimal or not required at all under certain conditions. These types of vehicles can advance safety and reduce accidents. There will likely be limitations as to where and under what conditions these types of vehicles are allowed to operate. More and more, cars in 2024 are extensions of our digital lives, as connected cars are becoming the new norm. Many cars have advanced infotainment systems, vehicle-to-everything communication (V2X), and seamless connectivity. The number of connected vehicles by 2025 is expected to top 150 million. With the increasing amount of software, this also means a higher risk of cyber-attacks. We can look forward to the implementation of advanced encryption methods, secure cloud-based systems, and real-time monitoring integrated into vehicles. Flying cars? In 2024, flying cars are closer to being a reality. At CES 2024, Chinese automaker XPeng unveiled its latest version of eVTOL Flying Car which you can see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?vECgVLceb_LE. And Supernal, an offshoot of Hyundai unveiled S-A2, which you can view here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v-kVwtLNepjw. Though these helicopter-like cars are not a reality yet, they are certainly something to watch in 2024! Hopefully, all these advances in auto technology will make our personal travel safer as well as more fun! But even with advanced technology, if you do end up in a crash, we’re here to help you in 2024 and beyond!

What’s New in Car Technology in 2024?

Car Innovations in 2023