According to Reuters, American drivers traveled 746 billion miles in the first three months of 2016.  This means that by noon, US drivers have traveled farther than the International Space Station has ever flown. This equates to multiple hours spent behind the wheel, an amount of time most drivers would love to get back. Today’s smart cars have the ability to connect to the internet, protect drivers more efficiently, and even drive themselves.
Internet connectivity is a smart car feature that both drivers and passengers will love. Although this isn’t new technology, it is becoming more advanced and being used in more applications. Not only does this bring capabilities such as GPS and music streaming, but some also create Wi-Fi hotspots. Popular infotainment systems include Google’s Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay. Car owners also appreciate the ability to view their car’s diagnostic and performance reports on an app where they are also able to control remote start and other features.
With this advanced technology, cars will become more secure. Push to start technology has been around for a few years, requiring the key fob’s presence rather than the traditional key. Today’s car manufacturers are working to increase the security of entry methods. Some cars use key fobs to produce door handles that otherwise sit flush, while others are experimenting with technology such as fingerprint and retina scans.
              Assisted driving, or semi-autonomous driving, is also made possible by new smart car technology. These features include lane departure warning, blind spot detection, forward collision prevention, cruise control which adjust to changes in speed, and even automated parking. This technology is becoming more prevalent and is helping drivers prevent accidents.
The most exciting smart car technology in development will bring the capability to drive autonomously. Companies such as Tesla, Google, and Nissan are working hard to produce this type of car and some are already undergoing road testing. These cars use the same sensors used for assisted driving, along with additional cameras and more powerful computers to drive without human interaction. These vehicles are expected to be on the market in 2019.