Lauren Fix, The Car Coach: Auto Technology Advances

Courtesy of Time Warner Cable
Aired: 9/13/2012

The automotive industry, as a whole, continues to push the envelope in regards to technology. Lauren Fix, the Car Coach, takes a look at a few of the stunning automotive technological advances that were developed recently.

Here are just a few of the stunning automotive technological advances that were developed recently:

Acura - Active Sound Control - Two microphones are used in this system inside the car's cabin. They are used for the monitoring of low-frequency engine noise. An opposing frequency is transmitted by the system, through the speakers, when noise is detected. This cancels out the engine noise.

GM - Enhanced Vision System - This system is designed to help drivers in very low visibility situations. The system creates a full windshield heads-up display using all of the vehicle's cameras and sensors. Infrared cameras help the vehicle to identify the sides of the road. This will cause lines to be "painted" onto the windshield, preventing the driver from accidentally driving off the road.

Kia - UVO System - Microsoft helped to develop this hands-free system that can oversee the operation of music devices and mobile phones. It features a 4-inch, color touch screen display, as well as a backup camera.

BMW - Car-to-Car Communication -This system allows direct communication with all relevant vehicles in the area. It allows warnings to be sent to vehicles that are behind it concerning a sudden rainstorm, black ice on the road or a traffic jam.

Infiniti - Lane Departure Prevention and Warning - it warns the driver about an unintentional lane departure. It's even capable of nudging the car back to safety.

Audi - GPRS/EDGE - Direct access to Google to the user via an optional modem available with Audi's Multi-Media Interface navigation plus system and also makes the car a Wi-Fi hub for multiple devices.

Mercedes-Benz - Active Park Assist - Self parking and exiting is a new feature that Mercedes has perfected as well. This is easy to use and is available now.

Ford MyKey with "Do Not Disturb" - Parents have enough to worry about when they hand over the keys to a teenager, so Ford is adding a feature to its MyKey technology to block incoming phone calls and deter text messages while teens are behind the wheel.


Technology, especially in the automotive industry, continues to make rapid advancements.