The automotive industry has taken some major steps in the past few years, especially with regard to artificial intelligence and electric vehicles. In fact, these two trends are so important that they’ve helped to define this past year of automotive trends as we look back at 2021. Let’s take a closer look at these top 5 automotive trends of 2021, starting with…
1) Electric Vehicles Take Over
While self-driving cars grab most of the headlines, many experts predict that electric vehicles will be just as disruptive in society. Electric vehicles are growing more popular because they are far cheaper to operate than gas-fueled vehicles. Also, electric vehicle prices have fallen rapidly over the past few years and are likely to continue dropping. As these trends continue, it is likely that fewer Americans will own gas-powered vehicles in just a few years’ time.
2) Software is Becoming Essential in Cars
As we look ahead, computer software is becoming a critical component in vehicles. Self-driving cars, for example, rely on powerful machine-learning software to interpret data from multiple sensors and make driving decisions that reduce accidents. These systems will require hundreds of millions of lines of code to be safe enough for consumer use—that’s equivalent to writing a new operating system.
3) Self Driving Cars Trying To Make It
It’s no secret that self-driving cars are trying to make it big. It’s been a long road for self-driving cars, and we have yet to see any market penetration in mainstream vehicles. This can be attributed to safety concerns, when will people feel safe to be a passenger in a self-driving car? On-road tests will continue to take place over 2022 to work out safety concerns.
4) The Microchip Shortage Continues
The most alarming automotive trend is the continued microchip shortage. Self-driving cars will continue to be popular, but many manufacturers are choosing not to adopt self-driving technology because they fear they may lack enough microchips to create self-driving vehicles. As autonomous cars become more popular, so too will their reliance on chips, causing demand for microchips to soar while simultaneously creating artificial intelligence shortages.
5) Battery Technology Still Needs ImprovementÂ
Although many people think that electric vehicles are already mainstream, it’s important to remember that battery technology needs work if these cars are going to replace traditional gasoline-fueled ones. We’re still waiting for better batteries that will allow us to travel longer distances before we need to recharge. In addition, electric vehicle batteries have a finite life span, so manufacturers must make sure they can be recycled effectively and responsibly when they do wear out.
