Sensors get hi-tech

When we were kids, we’d imagine that a cardboard box was a spaceship. These days, we dream of self-driving cars. Until this dream becomes reality, car manufacturers are covering cars with sensors to make driving easier.

Do we need all these sensors?

For decades, cars have been nothing more than four wheels, an engine, and a couple of parts. These days, technology is everywhere. Automobile engineers have developed smart sensors to improve safety for drivers and everyone else.

With all the different technologies in vehicles these days, they’re getting closer and closer to being self-driving. For instance, take Ford’s Active Park Assist. Having tried it myself, I can tell you that it’s mind-blowing for a car to be able to detect open space and tell you when to stop—and for you to be able to just lift your hands and feet! But do we need this system? Not really, but it sure is nice when you have to cut the wheel or you’re trying to squeeze into a tight space.

Problems with sensors

If your car isn’t detecting the objects around it properly, you have a problem. You might need to update the software or it could be something as simple as dirt blocking the sensor’s line of vision. If the problem continues, take your car to a professional for further testing.

Did you know?

Some automobile manufacturers, like Volvo, use facial recognition to determine if you’ve become distracted. So, if you take your eyes off the road a little longer than you should, the steering wheel will vibrate or you’ll get an audio alert to remind you to keep your eyes on the road. The sensors aren’t just looking out for things happening around your car—but also what’s going on inside!