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

The automotive trade has all the time been a fast-paced market, with new technological advances being made day in and time out to satisfy wants clients did not even know they’d. This yr, although, appears to be like to mark a major 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, and so they’re getting extremely inventive in how they’re making an attempt to attain this objective. So inventive, in actual fact, that you simply may not 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 if you happen to do not drive an Aston Martin, CarPlay Extremely shall be broadly accessible earlier than later

Whereas Aston Martin is the only brand with a totally functioning CarPlay Extremely capability in the intervening time, Apple has stated that the corporate is working tirelessly with different automotive producers to deliver this expertise to different new fashions. That is the following step ahead when it comes to user-friendly infotainment programs, and I predict that by the mannequin yr 2030, will probably be practically customary on all autos, similar to CarPlay is customary immediately.

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 individuals keep related on the street. With extra reasonably priced 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’s going to make my street journeys far more satisfying, 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 may make you’re feeling extra related to your automotive. Historically, they had been restricted when it comes to 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 turning into a extra in style development because the market evolves. For now, I am going to follow 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 notably on this characteristic, 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 supplies far more in-depth info than another companion app on the market. You’ll be able to even schedule upkeep and run reside diagnostics proper there within the app.

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3

New augmented actuality shows

Vehicles are going to present you extra info than ever earlier than

Shreyas Srinivasa / LinkedIn

Whereas I am unable to promise that this expertise goes to be customary on any manufacturing automobile 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 house. The AR and VR market is anticipated to achieve 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 customary characteristic, this was the following logical step for producers. For these apprehensive about info overload, although, it’s best to nonetheless be capable to possibility this expertise off of your every day driver. Nonetheless, if you wish to know every little thing there’s to find out about your environment, augmented actuality shows are the way forward for that expertise. Because the gadgets we stock with us turn out to be extra superior, we count on vehicles to faucet into that very same functionality to reinforce the driving expertise.

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4

Electrical journey trailers

The tenting world is catching up with automotive producers

Pebble

The tenting trade is big. There is a cause that heavy-duty vehicles are nonetheless promoting regardless of their more and more rising costs, in spite of everything. However Pebble, a California-based electrical RV producer, is trying to change the trade “from the street up.” By utilizing the identical kind of electrical motor expertise, Pebble is trying to make the method of proudly owning, organising and caring for an RV a a lot simpler course of. The most important detractor from proudly owning a camper for most individuals is actually maintaining two properties — one on wheels and one not. Nonetheless, if you happen to suppose this is not a chunk of automotive tech and only a camper, you are lifeless mistaken.

This not-so-little trailer is completely different. Utilizing the ability of electrical motors, Pebble trailers provide towing help to the automobile they’re hooked to, can self-level whenever you get to the campsite, and even maneuver a good 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 in regards to the Pebble trailer all through this yr.

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5

Elaphe in-wheel electrical motors

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

Elaphe

As motorsport goes, so, too, tends to go the trade 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 technique to push electrical energy onto the street.

The explanation I’m bringing motorsport into the dialog is that Formulation One is significantly taking a look at this expertise with a purpose to deliver the hybrid energy of its race vehicles even additional to the forefront of the game. If Elaphe and different corporations 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 additionally, 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 trade as a complete, 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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