Cruise Time: Is new car technology too complicated?

It used to be new car buyers would ask about horsepower, miles per gallon numbers and other performance-related categories. It now seems as if the first questions being asked are about connectivity and what’s the operating system with which the driver’s phone will sync. It’s about the inside ergonomics and technology. Long gone are the traditional AM/FM/CD player stereo systems.

Say hello now to GM’s My Link operating system that debuted in 2012, or Kia’s UVO and Hyundai’s Blue Link, which have had recent updates or Toyota’s Entune system. These are just a few of the complex, sometimes overly complicated, yet amazing, information systems in the new cars today. These provide total connectivity between driver and car, driver and information and driver and his or her own cell phone. Car buyers now have a full computer in their car.

Apple, which until recently hasn’t been a big player in the in-car systems game, has entered in a big way. The new 2015 Mercedes C Class will utilize CarPlay that will mirror the interface the driver has with his or her smartphone and the touch screen. It will mimic their current iPhone. If Apple is successful in turning the in-car operating system in to a seamless transition from phone to in-car screen, it will change the playing field. Too many of the current systems have become overly complicated. The Kia UVO system is one the easiest to use, but even still, a voice command can get translated in to all sorts of interesting options.

As the new car buyers shift to a younger, more tech-savvy base, it will also be all about speed and not the 0-60 kind. Audi, with its 2015 A-3 sedan, is stepping up the speed arms race. It will be the first vehicle with 4G LTE connectivity. A-3 owners will be able to stream video and audio and utilize apps that a 3G network can’t accomplish. The 4G is just being offered on the entry level Audi but is sure to make it to the rest of the lineup.

Theoretically, besides the navigation and information applications, the streaming capability is for the passengers only. They will have the opportunity to have a seamless data connection. All this is great in theory but now that we have outlawed cell phone use with a hands free device, there may need to be an addition to those restrictions to include not being able to drive down the road with Game of Thrones playing through what is basically a high speed iPad in the dash.

Of course, the natural extension of all this technology and data information in cars is to remove the driver all together. The driverless car is not just a pipe dream from the Jetsons cartoon show from years ago. The future is now, or more specifically, a few years ago. In 2010, Google began its work on the driverless car. It is possible now for Google to have a greeter meet a guest at the airport, take them to the car and send them on the way with no driver at all. The car will find its way to the office and no tip is required. Many carmakers are jumping in to the game, including BMW, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes, Nissan, Toyota, VW and Volvo. Other technology companies, universities and suppliers are also getting in to the game.

The technology has been in the pipeline for over 50 years in some capacity with GM having shown off concept or dream cars with autopilot. While not exactly driverless, a number of the cars available in dealerships today have some sort of autopilot mode with accident avoidance, adaptive cruise control, which slows the car down as it gets too close to the car in front, and even auto breaking if the car senses an impending accident.

Driver error is still the biggest issue and every manufacturer’s philosophy is now that the best way to survive an accident is to avoid even being in one. This is accomplished by a number of methods. Some models, including the new Escalade or Buick Regal, warn the driver that he or she is over the line with a, less than subtle, vibration in the seat. Honda alerts the driver to traffic in the blind spot on the passenger side with a side view camera view that pops up on the navigation screen.

Since most accidents are caused because of poor visibility and the inability to detect pedestrians because of proximity or darkness, car companies are creating pedestrian detection systems and infrared night vision. It’s all about warning the drivers early and often to the risks and in some cases, taking over to avoid the collision.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it is rolling out regulations that by May 2018, all new cars, SUVs, and minivans as well as some small trucks will be required to have some sort of rear visibility technology. NHTSA says it will save lives and protect mostly children and elderly to the tune of 15,000 injuries annually.

Over two-thirds of the most popular vehicles have back up cameras available. A great option is offered by Nissan that provides a split screen view with side cameras to see what’s on either side as well as what is behind the vehicle. Some of these intrusions to the driving experience can be a bit oppressive but are definitely here to stay.

Brad Boyer is owner of Carcierge and co-host of Test Miles radio KXL 101.1 FM in Portland. For more information, go to www.carcierge.net or www.bradthecarguy.com.