5 new car technologies that could be standard by 2030

Summary

Steer-by-wire systems offer efficient steering without full wheel rotation.
Vehicle-to-everything communications highlight the industry shift towards connectivity.
Level three autonomous driving systems may be the next big advancement.

Today’s automotive world is a quickly evolving place chocked full of interesting tech, but there are some things in the market right now that seem like pure science fiction. From augmented reality dashboards that blend all of our favorite movie scenes with real life to simple pieces of tech that make everyday trips easier, these innovations are modern marvels when it comes to reinventing how we drive.

However, some of them are becoming so commonplace today that they might actually be standard features in just a few years. Right now, these features are available on plenty of premium trims and upper-tier vehicles, but there’s a very good chance they trickle down to everyday vehicles in the near future.

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1

Steer-by-wire systems

Not reinventing the wheel, just how you turn it

Source: Rivian

With how advanced power steering systems have become, this might go a bit unnoticed by some, but if you’ve ever driven a vehicle with no power steering, you’ll know how interesting steer-by-wire systems are. These systems replace the traditional mechanical or hydraulic power-steering systems on most conventional vehicles, and instead use electronic signals to tell the wheels how hard to turn.

You don’t have to make a full rotation of the wheel with a steer-by-wire system. Instead, you just increase or decrease the angle of the wheels with one turn. This is one of those things that takes a little time to get used to in a car that you’ve never driven before, but before long, you’re glad you don’t have to pull the ole’ one-handed wind up on your steering wheel.

HUDWAY heads up display in a Ford Fusion.

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2

Vehicle-to-everything communications (V2X)

Connectivity is the name of the game

Adjusting in-car climate settings using CarPlay Ultra. — Apple

Apple

With Apple CarPlay Ultra living among the headlines recently for reasons ranging from manufacturer pushback to pure excitement for the platform, the buzzword around the automotive industry right now is connectivity. Part of that conversation is communication, as in how your phone communicates with your car, and your car to the outside world.

Tesla does an interesting job of this already with their built-in charging map, and with augmented reality dashboards coming sooner rather than later, the clock is ticking on figuring out how soon and how well different manufacturers will allow their vehicles to interact with the world around them. Some companies are leery of the new technology, but others, like BMW, are embracing it wholeheartedly as an early adopter.

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3

Level three autonomous driver assistance systems

Some experts predict more than 10% of vehicles will be autonomous by 2030

GM/Cruise

It feels like we’ve been sticking around level two autonomous driving solutions for quite a few years now, but it’s the jump to level three that some experts are predicting to take place over the next few years. Granted, they’ve said this for a minute, but it truly feels closer now than ever before.

There are actually six different levels of autonomous driving. The best breakdown of these different levels that I can find is via Rambus, who even throws in a fresh infographic for your viewing pleasure.

The difference between level two and level three driving solutions is simple — level two allows the car itself to control steering and acceleration and braking in specific environments. Think about Ford’s Blue Cruise system — it only works in specific environments, like on the highway. The jump to level three autonomous vehicles allows the driver to disengage from the environment and complete other tasks. All of this hinges on the advancement of AI implementation in the marketplace, which is positively booming.

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4

Software-defined vehicles

This isn’t new, but as software continues to develop, it will be more widespread

The new BMW Neue Klasse interior from between the front two seats.

BMW Group

When you think about the word “continuity,” what comes to mind? Is it using your iPhone as a webcam for work meetings, or is it the continuation of automotive software? More than likely, it’s the former, but software continuity in the automotive market is a growing trend, especially in BMW’s Neue Klasse of vehicles.

What do I mean by that? Well, it’s a lot more simple than it sounds. Essentially, your car will soon work exactly like your phone. You’ll have regular software updates, personalized user interfaces, and integrated apps. The big debate here is whether Apple will take what would essentially be a Monopoly-like grip on the market or not. If CarPlay Ultra is implemented widely across the market, will companies like BMW even have to keep their software up to date, or will they just turn the keys over to the big Apple machine?

Apple's concept radio interface for next-gen CarPlay.

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5

Increased automotive cybersecurity

If everything is going to be connected, it will have to be safe

A stock photo of a warning icon surrounded by bits of code.

Shutterstock

Whether Apple and CarPlay Ultra take over the marketplace or not, there are valid concerns around the amount of driver information that manufacturers have at their fingertips. From financial data and information to the routes they take to work every day, if manufacturers continue down the road of connectivity they’re headed along, they’ll have access to all of it.

That doesn’t just mean that software security needs to be taken seriously, though. Hardware security is just as important. As vehicle ECUs continue to improve and house more data, more security measures will need to be taken in order to ensure that they’re as safe as possible from an information standpoint.