Every year, there seems to be a “must-own” car on the market with uniquely new bells and whistles. It shouldn’t be surprising in an industry driven by innovations. For one, the semi-autonomous driving landscape is taking the world by storm.
By 2025, 63.6% of passenger cars could have partly assisted driving capabilities to make journeys more accessible, especially among people with disabilities.
This year’s technology trends in the automotive industry signal a new transportation era that can revolutionize how you drive.
10 Technology Trends in the Automotive Industry for 2024
What does automotive tech have in store for car owners and shoppers this year? These trends provide a glimpse of what lies ahead in the industry.
1. Mobility-as-a-service (MaaS)
Mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) is a rapidly rising development that integrates different transport services into a single platform. Take Grab, a leading MaaS provider in the Philippines. Its app allows consumers to book passenger cars and motorcycles on demand, making overall mobility more convenient and accessible.
With MaaS continuously skyrocketing in popularity, ridesharing and carpooling services can disincentivize car ownership. People may be less likely to purchase vehicles if their average on-road time decreases. Having fewer vehicles on the road means reduced transportation costs and traffic congestion.
2. Electric vehicles (EVs)
Because of growing climate change concerns, the public’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) may happen sooner than expected. For eco-friendly buyers, it’s very much a welcome trend.
In 2022, there were over 26 million EVs worldwide—60% more than the previous year. Expect the adoption of hybrids and full-electric cars to speed up in 2024 as manufacturers expand their EV portfolio and new EV-focused brands set up shop in the country.
The public and private sectors also heavily invest in infrastructure to support electric expansion. In the Philippines, the government aims to have over 850,000 EVs and 20,000 charging stations by 2040. Lawmakers also mull over providing tax credits to incentivize buyers and further ramp up EV adoption nationwide.
3. Autonomous and semi-autonomous driving
Fully autonomous or self-driving cars may still be on the horizon in 2024. However, many companies have taken significant strides toward making this concept a reality.
Projections suggest the rapid adoption of self-driving vehicles could generate over ₱172 billion ($3 billion) in the next 12 years. This automotive trend caters to a valuable demographic that wants cars to drive greener, improve road safety, and boost economies via productivity and efficiency improvements.
Take one of the EV industry’s top leaders, BYD. At the tail-end of March, it released its newest city pilot-assisted driving feature, making navigating tight and often-congested city streets much more manageable. Tesla also threw in its hat and released Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta v12 in the same month, a significant step toward a fully autonomous future for the car industry.
4. Internet of Things (IoT)
In the automotive sector, the Internet of Things (IoT) comprises devices, sensors, and systems that connect to your car—from GPS to vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication—while collecting, transmitting, and analyzing data from it and the roads.
IoT integration offers numerous advantages for car owners like yourself. For one, it predicts maintenance schedules based on engine readings, letting you deal with vehicle damage like tire blowouts beforehand. It’s also a step closer to fully autonomous cars since each system can communicate with each other.
5. Smart devices
Similarly, smart devices are now a crucial part of daily life. Smartphones, smartwatches, and virtual assistants (think Amazon Alexa and Google Home Assistant) work together to reinforce IoT in vehicles.
Alexa integrates with several car makes and models, including those under Ford, Honda, and Nissan. That means you can remotely toggle locks, start or stop your engine, check your fuel gauge, and more—all from the comfort of your home. Likewise, connecting your smartphone and infotainment system via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay lets you access Google Assistant and Siri while driving.
6. 5G connectivity
Since the mid-2010s, most cars have connected to 4G networks for more convenient driving through traffic updates and more accessible emergency services.
Today, newer cars come with 5G connectivity, which translates to faster downloads and uploads, ultra-low latency, and seamless IoT connectivity. Automotive software developers now have more leeway in producing more extensive apps to make drives more convenient and user-friendly. As 5G advances, you can expect faster Wi-Fi connections and better GPS accuracy.
7. AI-powered applications
Artificial intelligence (AI) use cases keep growing in nearly every industry, including the automotive market. In 2024, its influence will be more prevalent than ever.
For instance, BMW’s upgraded Spartanburg manufacturing plant integrates AI capabilities to aid construction. If a robot misplaces a stud, an AI algorithm raises a red flag and tells the robot to correct it—all without human intervention.
Very few can argue with the result, with the tactic resulting in faster production times without sacrificing accuracy and saving the company over ₱57.4 million ($1 million) a year.
Many cars also have built-in AI capabilities for driver use, especially in the global effort toward fully autonomous driving. Take Tesla’s Autopilot, which uses AI to match the speed of surrounding traffic and automatically steer to the correct lanes. Its FSD functionalities enable Tesla cars to drive independently for short distances, even with no one on board.
8. 3D printing
Believe it or not, several manufacturers have begun incorporating 3D printing technology into their operations. The practice will likely continue this year, given its effectiveness.
Let’s look at Ford’s processes. As a pillar of the automotive industry, it regularly develops new structural ideas for its products. Traditional prototyping takes endless hours and millions of money, but Ford has been able to produce prototypes in mere days with substantially lower costs by using 3D printers!
The company hopes that 3D printing will become more accessible throughout the supply chain, from producing replacement parts to creating custom car accessories.
9. In-vehicle infotainment system
The lack of an infotainment system is often a dealbreaker for many shoppers. If you’re one of them, you’ll be glad that almost all makes and models in 2024 have infotainment screens to keep you informed and entertained while driving.
Some systems are even more advanced than others. For instance, the 2024 Ford F-150 has a head-up display (HUD) projecting speed details and navigation directions on your windshield and line of sight. Also, you can connect your Android smartphone (via Android Auto) or iPhone (via CarPlay) to most cars, enabling you to use your phone’s features through the infotainment system.
10. Automotive cybersecurity
With all the computers and technologies integrated into most cars and manufacturing plants today, it’s crucial not to overlook the inherent risk of digital attacks. Last year, 50% of incidents led to workflow disruptions or financial hits. So, it’s no surprise that automotive companies are more aggressive in implementing safety measures to protect driving consumers.
Consistent over-the-air software updates for Wi-Fi-enabled cars are crucial to mitigating cybersecurity risks. They establish robust encryption and authentication mechanisms to help protect your details and in-car cameras from hackers.
The Future of the Automotive Industry is Now
The car industry is on the brink of rapid and unprecedented technological advancements. It’s a future that promises to be safer, more sustainable, and more connected than ever. So, stay on top of these trends to help determine what features and characteristics best suit you when shopping for a new car.
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