The Citizen, 2017-04-27, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017.
Rrins CAR CAtU±.
Connected vehicles shape future of transportation
Connected
With technology always changing in our society, it's becoming more and more important in the
vehicles we drive. Connected cars and trucks are on the rise in North America, turning your
vehicle into a smartphone on wheels. (Ms photo)
MS — Fans of the Back to the
Future movie franchise may be
disappointed that the film's
prediction that flying vehicles would
be commonplace in the 21st century
has not yet come to fruition.
However, the modern-day
automobile is a remarkably far cry
from cars and trucks built as recently
as 10 years ago.
Connected cars have become
incredibly popular as interest in
digital content continues to rise. A
connected vehicle is one that is
equipped with internet access and
typically a wireless local area
network. Connected cars can be
viewed as a smartphone on wheels.
They perform many of the
capabilities of other mobile devices,
Reg. maintenance
crucial to ATV life
MS — Birds may be chirping and
flower buds opening to the sunlight,
but for many outdoor enthusiasts,
the arrival of warm days and extra
hours of sunlight means they can hit
the trails once more. Many take to
the trails on the back of their
favourite "toys" that have been
gathering dust in the garage all
winter long.
All -terrain vehicles, or ATVs, are
affectionately known as "quads" and
have dominated the off-roading
market since three -wheel varieties
were deemed safety risks.
ATVs come in a variety of types
and motor sizes, and can be
customized for riders of different
ages. Utility terrain vehicles, or
UTVs, have the ability to carry
things along and can generally
accommodate more than one rider.
Such vehicles are becoming more
coveted among outdoor enthusiasts.
UTVs may be a smart choice for
hunters or campers who need to
carry gear into remote areas.
ATVs and UTVs can be great fun
for the entire family. However, they
can be hazardous if the vehicles are
not functioning and in good repair
prior to the first excursion. Whether
the vehicle is new or older, owners
should take the time to inspect and
troubleshoot potential problems.
• Tires: As with any vehicle, tires
should be properly inflated
according to the specifications in the
owner's manual. Ensure there are no
Continued on page 15
with the vehicle serving as the media
hub.
General Motors was one of the
first manufacturers to produce
connected cars. In 1996, their
premium brands Cadillac DeVille,
Seville and Eldorado featured a
technology called OnStar. The
primary purpose of OnStar was to
get emergency service to a vehicle
quickly in the event of an accident.
The technology started with only
voice, but when cellular systems
added data, the system was able to
send the GPS location to the call
center. OnStar was eventually used
for more than just emergency calls,
ultimately expanding to perform
remote vehicle diagnostics, and then
to provide directions and more user -
interactive features.
Other manufacturers soon
followed suit, and data and voice
features became popular add-ons for
vehicles. Today's connected cars are
equipped with features such as in -
car entertainment units. Through
their dashboards, drivers can use
touch screens to access apps on their
smartphones and answer phone
calls. Navigation, roadside
assistance, voice commands,
contextual help/offers, parking apps,
engine controls, and car diagnostics
also can be accessed via many
touchscreens.
While entertainment and safety
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have led the way with connected
cars thus far, the future of
connectivity seems to be
autonomous vehicles. In the not -so
distant future, vehicles may be much
more hands-off for drivers. Driving
may even become a thing of the past.
The race has been on over the last
several years to deliver the first
fully -autonomous vehicle.
According to the technology
company CB Insights, as of 2016, 33
corporations have been working on
autonomous vehicles. From Apple to
Audi to Tesla to Honda to Google,
automotive heavyweights and
technology giants are among the
pool of self -driving innovators.
Vehicles are more technologically
advanced than ever before. Driving
the future of automotive innovation
are connected cars pushing closer
and closer to full autonomy.
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