5 automotive tech improvements that really feel like science fiction, however are very actual

The automotive business has all the time been a fast-paced market, with new technological advances being made day in and day trip to fulfill wants clients did not even know they’d. This yr, although, appears to be like to mark a big shift in direction of what manufacturers are providing so far as consumer-focused expertise versus easy performance upgrades.

Automakers are attempting to make vehicles simpler to make use of than ever earlier than, they usually’re getting extremely inventive in how they’re making an attempt to attain this aim. So inventive, in actual fact, that you just won’t discover a few of these options if I did not let you know about them.

1

CarPlay Extremely is right here to remain

Don’t fret when you do not drive an Aston Martin, CarPlay Extremely might be extensively accessible before later

Whereas Aston Martin is the only brand with a completely functioning CarPlay Extremely capability in the mean time, Apple has stated that the corporate is working tirelessly with different automotive producers to convey this expertise to different new fashions. That is the following step ahead by way of user-friendly infotainment methods, and I predict that by the mannequin yr 2030, it is going to be practically commonplace on all automobiles, similar to CarPlay is commonplace at this time.

With the flexibility to manage cabin local weather and different tedious duties being handed on to automated assistants like Siri, CarPlay Extremely will change the best way that folks keep related on the street. With extra inexpensive manufacturers like Ford, Hyundai, and Kia set to implement the expertise within the close to future, CarPlay Extremely appears to be like to be the final word connectivity expertise on the open street. I do know it’ll make my street journeys far more fulfilling, that is for positive.

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2

Enhanced automaker apps

Extra producers are specializing in enhancing their apps and connectivity options

Volkswagen

For the longest time, apps had been gimicky ways in which automotive producers might make you’re feeling extra related to your automotive. Historically, they had been restricted by way of performance, and had been pretty ineffective within the grand scheme of issues. Nonetheless, Rivian and different forward-thinking producers have modified that, and it is changing into a extra in style pattern because the market evolves. For now, I will keep on with Rivian, as they’ve one of the best pound-for-pound companion app within the enterprise. Do not consider me? Simply ask MotorTrend. It was their 2025 Automaker App of the Year.

From throughout the app, drivers can management nearly each minute element about their Rivian, together with the optimum temperature to set the air con to earlier than getting in. I am significantly on this function, as in my 2022 Volkswagen, it is all the time a guessing recreation as to what temperature I had my air con set on earlier than I started my autostart. This takes the guesswork out of the method, and gives far more in-depth data than some other companion app on the market. You possibly can even schedule upkeep and run stay diagnostics proper there within the app.

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3

New augmented actuality shows

Vehicles are going to provide you extra data than ever earlier than

Shreyas Srinivasa / LinkedIn

Whereas I am unable to promise that this expertise goes to be commonplace on any manufacturing car in 2025, what I can let you know is that sufficient cash is being poured into augmented actuality show analysis and testing that producers see it as an actual alternative to maneuver ahead within the automotive area. The AR and VR market is anticipated to succeed in over $670 billion in total value alone, and a few producers like BMW and Mazda have already carried out lighter variations of AR of their Heads-Up Shows.

When the HUD turned a comparatively commonplace function, this was the following logical step for producers. For these nervous about data overload, although, you need to nonetheless be capable of choice this expertise off of your day by day driver. Nonetheless, if you wish to know the whole lot there may be to learn about your environment, augmented actuality shows are the way forward for that expertise. Because the units we feature with us grow to be extra superior, we anticipate vehicles to faucet into that very same functionality to boost the driving expertise.

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4

Electrical journey trailers

The tenting world is catching up with automotive producers

Pebble

The tenting business is big. There is a purpose that heavy-duty vans are nonetheless promoting regardless of their more and more rising costs, in any case. However Pebble, a California-based electrical RV producer, is seeking to change the business “from the street up.” Through the use of the identical sort of electrical motor expertise, Pebble is seeking to make the method of proudly owning, organising and taking good care of an RV a a lot simpler course of. The largest detractor from proudly owning a camper for most individuals is basically maintaining two houses — one on wheels and one not. Nonetheless, when you suppose this is not a chunk of automotive tech and only a camper, you are useless improper.

This not-so-little trailer is completely different. Utilizing the facility of electrical motors, Pebble trailers provide towing help to the car they’re hooked to, can self-level if you get to the campsite, and even maneuver a decent spot all on their very own. The idea of the Pebble trailer was unveiled on the Consumer Electronics Show in 2024 and was again once more in 2025 after additional testing, and extra information is anticipated to come back out concerning the Pebble trailer all through this yr.

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5

Elaphe in-wheel electrical motors

As probably the most risk-rewarding tech on the listing, there’s nonetheless some work to do on this groundbreaking platform

Elaphe

As motorsport goes, so, too, tends to go the business shortly after, and one of many latest developments in EV expertise is the implementation of in-wheel electrical motors. Elaphe has been pioneering this motion for some time, and regardless of the detractors who say that each pothole locations an in-wheel electrical motor in danger, the corporate retains pushing onward to develop a lighter, extra highly effective approach to push electrical energy onto the street.

The rationale I’m bringing motorsport into the dialog is that Formulation One is critically taking a look at this expertise with the intention to convey the hybrid energy of its race vehicles even additional to the forefront of the game. If Elaphe and different firms could make these motors sturdy sufficient to outlive a crash at 190 miles per hour or a rally run by means of the Sahara, then I am greater than assured a pothole or two will not spell their demise.

One of many greatest limiting elements of an EV is its weight, and these motors look to not solely drastically lower that weight, but in addition, to be extra intentional about the place that weight is positioned on the automotive, creating higher weight distribution for extra efficiency in an actual world setting. These 5 improvements may very well be leaps ahead for the automotive business as an entire, as drivers look to be extra related to their vehicles than ever earlier than with cutting-edge expertise at their fingertips.

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