In-Car Technology – Luxury or Hassle?

When asked what the most desirable piece of in-car technology is, what do you suppose people would choose?  Perhaps inbuilt Bluetooth technology enabling mobile-phone synchronisation?  Or a voice-activated air conditioning system?  You may be surprised to find that more desirable than either of these is the humble radio.

It seems that despite media coverage insisting the necessity of ‘must-have gadgets’, we are more interested in the basics.  So are we right, or do we need to wake up to the luxury gadgets can offer?

Broadly, motor technology falls into two categories.  Technology either exists for safety and performance (acting mostly without user interaction) or for comfort as directed by the user.  Examples of the former include ABS, adaptive cruise control and airbags.  Examples of the latter range from CD-players to keyless entry.  Taking one example of the two, 88% of people desire a CD-player in their car, whilst lane departure warning systems only appeal to 41%.

Technologies like Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and inbuilt Bluetooth are all judged as desirable by only around half of us.

Understandably, the more obvious technology is, the more desirable it seems.  It is difficult to desire something which you don’t understand, or don’t even know exists.

Technology, though, can now provide far more luxury and safety than ever before.  Once properly shown how to use their new car, motorists begin to understand technological appeal.  Until then, it all seems more hassle than comfort.

A survey by a leading UK motoring group found that 84% of motorists agreed that the complexity of today’s automobiles means that people need to be shown how to use them properly.  Increasingly, instruction manuals do not manage to convey the use of brand new technology which users may not previously have encountered.  Faced with the prospect of undergoing full training to use their new car, it is no wonder that most motorists prefer to stick to their radio.

But technology can and does significantly improve motoring.  It might, then, be worth investing some time and attention to learning it.  Notably, high mileage drivers tend to use luxuries like climate control, voice commands and Bluetooth far more than other motorists.  And surely these are the people who know best?

So what technological luxuries might you want to look out for in your next car?  Perhaps you may even find some hidden gems in your current one.  Here are a few examples of technologies which are often overlooked, but could really improve your motoring experience:

Keyless Entry – Above and beyond central-locking, this technology uses wireless signal to unlock your car automatically without the need for any keys or even button pressing.  Starting up your car becomes even easier a ‘Start’ button replacing your standard ignition.

Adaptive Cruise Control – If you’re a fan of standard cruise control, then you’ll love this safer and more intelligent successor.  Rather than just maintaining a set speed, ACC responds to external stimuli like proximity to other cars on the road.

Voice Command Controls – Combining James Bond style luxury with safety, this feature allows you to access functions like air conditioning, stereo and  more simply by talking.  It may feel strange at first, but voice command technology allows you to concentrate on the important matters of driving, rather than fiddling with controls.

The list could extend far further, and will continue to expand as cars become ever more technological.

So is technology just an extra hassle?  Should you just stick to the radio?  Well technology is probably there for a good reason, so taking the time to get to know it could be a decision that will afford you a more luxurious, safe driving experience for years to come and also positively affect your car insurance.

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