Cars are so much more than a mode of transport. That may seem like a bold statement as cars are, of course, primarily a form of transport. Getting people from A to B is their raison d’être, their reason for being, what they were invented to do. We have, of course, come a long way since the first days of the automobile, that much is axiomatic. Naturally, we have also come a long way in terms of the internal combustion engine itself, with everything from horsepower to diesel, and a plethora of other technical advancements. In the past, cars were also things of beauty in many cases, but today, we’re looking for more than that.
When I talk about how far we have come, one of my main points is that cars have become almost a form of entertainment, in more ways than one. Cars are not only modes of transport: they now offer a range of entertainment options and connectivity. All of these are designed to make drivers more comfortable and, with the new term “infotainment,” to entertain, or at least provide options to do so. And people love entertainment. Naturally, driving needs concentration, and it’s not like you can play a video game while driving, watch a movie at the wheel, or have a round of cards… but what about your passengers?
Well, now, many cars have screens available for the backseat folks, and you might find your traveling companions watching movies or even having fun with things like a blackjack game as you cruise down the highway. Yes, there could actually be a mini-casino in your car. That’s not for the drivers yet – but with self-driving cars, which we’ll cover later – it might be one day, so keep your fingers crossed.
Such is the entertainment element of car connectivity these days. But what is this so-called “car infotainment”?
Well, put simply, a car’s infotainment system is a carefully combined set of hardware and software designed and created to provide in-car entertainment and information for the driver. These bring both a new level of convenience, as well as enjoyment, to our journeys. Most of these systems now go well with what we would consider to be traditional dashboard functions.
We now have touchscreen displays and smartphone integration that allow everything from voice recognition to live map and travel graphics. It is clear that these superb infotainment systems are constantly evolving to meet modern needs, ensuring that our daily drives and longer journeys can be more engaging and pleasurable.
Drivers Delight As Cars Are Further Customized And Control Capabilities Soar
Ultimately, it has to be an extremely user-friendly interface, shaped by safety, and one that usually includes a touchscreen display, but can also be controlled by voice or other methods. As this technology meets even more car customization, it’s interesting to take a drive down this particular road and see where we are heading. Whether it is making a hands-free phone call, listening to your personal digital music library, or having precise maps and local area information provided, so many things are now available at the touch of an in-car button.
More to the point, what these are can now be customized in almost every new model produced, with buyers becoming more bespoke-orientated with every technological option that hits the market. We may still be somewhat skeptical about self-driving car technology, for example, but when it comes to infotainment in cars, consumers are loving it, embracing it, and demanding ever more connectivity and capabilities. Some dashboards that I have seen, especially in high-end models and brands, look like miniature jumbo jet control systems, such is the range of lights, buttons, internet, and Bluetooth connectivity.
Naturally, drivers are becoming more discerning and more expectant and, in turn, car manufacturers are working with technology and entertainment companies to further this symbiotic transport and connectivity or infotainment relationship. We now live in a time where the automobile landscape is not just changing in terms of engines and fuel options; it is changing in terms of connectivity and technology inside the vehicle itself.
This is, in part, being driven by technology and what it can achieve for automobile infotainment systems, but also by consumers expecting more and more from their vehicles and, specifically, what bespoke features they can have inside their cars as they drive.
Style Meets Substance As Automobile Makers Drive Innovation Forward
With constant talk of the electrical vehicle revolution, it is perhaps hard to sometimes think of all the other style-related and technologically substantive evolutions that are occurring in the automobile industry. We all know that cars are often about style, what particular preferences the marketplace is catering to, and how our own choice of automobile aesthetics drives our purchasing choice as much as functionality. But none of this is worth much without the substance, the ability of a car to deliver everything from reliability to comfort, convenience to value for money on driving mileage, and more.
This need to create great cars that deliver for a range of different consumer needs has ensured that automobile manufacturers are fighting to stay competitive. With annual car sale statistics showing a gradual rise, the car industry remains one of the most febrile when it comes to the overall transport sector, at least in consumer sales and terms. This is great for both manufacturers and car buyers, but it is also a boon for companies now integrating their connected tech with these vehicles. Whether it is Android or Apple, Harman Kardon or Sony, companies are now vying to ensure that consumers want cars with their tech integrations, making it an even more intriguing choice and marketplace.
As customization continues to connect with things such as infotainment and other in-car connectivity technology, we are likely to see even more advancements in this particular sector. With that on the horizon, driving a car will become ever more convenient and enjoyable, and showcase once again just how much more than a mode of basic transport a car now is.
