What Your Car Can Tell You About The Future

No doubt about it—IoT is hot. Technology is getting smarter, from our phones to our refrigerators and from our hotel rooms to our medical devices. Recently, Business Insider predicted that 82 percent of the 94 million cars that will become available for purchase in 2021 will be connected cars. That’s roughly 77 million new smart vehicles that could be on the road in the next five years, with a predicted 381 million total connected cars traveling the streets.

With the average American spending more than 17,000 minutes on the road each year, the repercussions of this automobile evolution are revolutionary. Consumer reactions to these developments are mixed, with some embracing the future, and others preferring the comfort of the past.

But before we can predict the future, we need to understand history. The car as we know it today is not the invention of a single individual but is instead the result of an estimated 100,000 patents toward car configuration, all responsible in-part for the development of the modern automobile. Over time, car design has been significantly altered, including the addition of cruise control and electric windows in the 1940s, the earliest air bag prototypes of the 1950s that were perfected in the 1980s, and innovative fuel injection systems in the 1960s. Then the “true precursors” of modern connected cars showed up with dashboard computer diagnostics in 1994 and GPS navigation systems in 1995. The USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity of the 2000s laid the bricks in the road for today’s computerized explosion in the industry.3

Current diagnostics are already an example—with connected ways to check oil and tire pressure, fuel use, and other performance indicators. Other more innovative options are voice controlled activities that allow for safer hands-free interactions with devices. Other safety features include functions such as real time software updates that recall information for vehicles.

BMW announced in September that it has created its own in-car assistant, handling various in-car inquiries, such as navigation, contact searches, climate control, and entertainment scrolling. The bottom line, however, seems to be integrative ability between commands, and that requirement will likely not change anytime soon.

Forbes predicts that auto manufacturing will be one of the five most disrupted industries in terms of IoT in 2019. As for the near future, the self-driving car seems to be the most cogent topic of conversation. This wave of innovation has already begun, with features such as autopilot options that analyze road situations in traffic jams and remote valet assistance summoning. Blind spot technology is also aiding in lane changes in this early phase of evolution. The next step in development includes a scenario in which a driver in the car programs directions and lets the car do the rest. Most exciting (and controversial) however, is the driverless vehicle set to hit the market sometime after 2020.1

No matter which camp you belong in—enthusiast or skeptic—change is on the horizon, and IoT is revolutionizing the way we interact within our vehicles and with our fellow travelers on the road.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the IoT Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!
Twitter – @IOTMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale


Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

influencer partnerships
Moving Beyond Social Media Buzz: How Authentic Content & Long-Term Influencer Partnerships Can Drive Hotel ROI
July 30, 2025

Influencer marketing is rapidly changing, and many hotels are still figuring out how to tap into its full potential. As travelers demand more authentic and relatable content, the pressure is on for hotels to adapt their marketing strategies. But with skepticism around the true ROI of influencer partnerships, it’s more important than ever for brands…

Read More
workforce
Building a Future-Ready Workforce: With Traditional Training Models Failing, It’s Time for Employers and Educators to Build Solutions Together
July 30, 2025

In an era where the average job tenure in the U.S. hovers under four years and industries are evolving faster than academic curricula can keep up, the need for a new approach to workforce development has never been more urgent. Companies like Amazon and McDonald’s are responding by investing in “education as a benefit”…

Read More
belief
Learning Out Loud with Belief, Courage, and the Power of Yes
July 30, 2025

In a world where workplace disengagement is on the rise, with global employee engagement falling to just 21% in 2024, leaders and teams are increasingly seeking meaning, connection, and growth in their work. Amid this shift, professionals are asking deeper questions about purpose and fulfillment, both individually and collectively. That’s exactly where Paul Plamondon’s…

Read More
professional advancement
The Measured Mindset: How Mentorship, Curiosity, and Listening Drive Professional Advancement and Growth
July 29, 2025

Not every path into analytics starts with code and spreadsheets. For some, it begins with curiosity, adaptability, mentorship, and a willingness to learn something entirely new. That’s the case for Mayank Malviya, whose journey from a humanities education in India to a career in U.S.-based market research reveals how initiative and mentorship can accelerate…

Read More