What are the recent advances in automotive electronics?

Answer 1

Ninety percent of innovations in modern cars are based on advances in electronics. Many developments enhance the perceptions of drivers and help them make better decisions faster, thus keeping them safer. Microtechnology is helping reduce the risk of losing vehicle control. Stability control features help prevent rollovers. An adaptive cruise control systems are in the works. They regulate driving at low speeds. This is great in heavy traffic, and cuts back on the driver's shifiting from braking to acceleration. Biometric technology will facilitate automatically measuring the comfort level of anyone in the vehicle, and helping make optimum seating adjustments, and air heating and cooling adjustments. GPS systems have obvious benefits. Other systems can now warn you if a tire is deflating. We are, however, waiting for something more intelligent and relevant than that "Check Engine" light, which usually has nothing to do with the engine per se. Radio tuning is already almost all digital, making hands-off tuning possible. Built-in connectors for music players and cell phones are becoming common. The customer will usually only pay for practical features that enhance the driving experience and driving safety, so there are some possibilities that may never be implemented except in the most costly luxury vehicles. In the end, computers, microtechnology, LCD's, LED's, and fiber optics have revolutionized the automobile. This article is an edited and modified version of the following news article: http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/102804/bus_20041028013.shtml