Cars have become more than just a means of transportation. People have been investing money and energy toward upgrades that will improve their enjoyment of the vehicle.
Drivers are no longer limited to features that come with their car upon purchase. They can change the exterior appearance of the vehicle through custom car wrapping services. They add new devices to their dashboards to improve navigation, audio, video, and other functions. There are lights installed on the exterior and exterior of the vehicle to increase visibility, especially at nighttime, and make the car look futuristic. Most drivers also now have cameras and sensors to prevent accidents on the road.
However, more car companies are also innovating to introduce new technology to their vehicles. The most popular features in the automobile industry in the present focus on promoting driver and passenger wellness.
It is All About Self-Care
There has been a greater interest among the public toward overall wellness. The pandemic especially has created concerns over health as the illness spreads across the world, leaving deaths in its wake. However, even before COVID-19, more people have been looking for ways to boost their health, both body and mind.
According to a report from 2018, Australians were spending around $1.6 billion on healthy foods. An average Australian family devotes about $4,500 of their annual budget toward healthy eating.
More than 82 percent of respondents also said that in the five years prior, they made changes toward their eating habits to become healthier.
People are also now giving their mental health priority. Stress is an ongoing problem among Australian working adults. In the latest survey, 64 percent of respondents said that they experience stress at work at least once a week. It is slightly higher than the 60 percent average within the Asia-Pacific region.
Stress, everyone knows now, leads to a slew of illnesses of the body and mind if left unaddressed.
Car as a Healthcare Tool
Cars of the future may become an extension of health and wellness. Tesla, the electric car company, has been leading innovations in recent years. In 2016, it introduced a “Bioweapon Defence Mode,” a system that removes airborne contaminants in its vehicles. Most modern cars come with air filters to ensure that the air inside the vehicle is safe, especially from pollution. However, in the case of the Model S, Model X, and, now, Model Y, the feature utilizes the same high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter used in hospitals. Meaning, it is much better at capturing pollutants and pathogens.
The quality of air inside the cabin is not always the best. Outdoors, air pollution is a persistent problem in urban areas around the world, including in Sydney.
There will also be vehicles that can monitor the well-being of the driver and passenger. These features will be able to recognize early signs of physical distress and ailments. In case of emergency, the system will be able to phone the right authorities.
Ford
The vehicle will also work to improve well-being. Ford Motor Co. included a mindfulness system in its vehicle that involves a seat that controls heart rate and breathing. It also provides the driver controls to adjust lighting and turn on relaxing audio over the speakers to induce relaxation. Moreover, the driver will have access to yoga and meditation lessons while parked in a safe spot.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz also has cars that can detect when the driver is already too tired to drive, a common problem that may lead to road accidents. The steering wheel, the seat belt, and other parts of the car that the driver touches can become a biometric sensor that constantly monitors well-being. As it gathers information, the system can send a warning in case of blood sugar detection or heart attack.
In addition, car manufacturers can also install rear seats that can transform into a space for exercise. Cars tend to make people sedentary. Instead of walking, people drive to their destination no matter how near it is. This increases their risk of obesity. People can use the feature to get moving while waiting in their car in parking lots or rest stops.
There may also be cars that can notice when the driver has high levels of alcohol in their system to prevent drink-driving. When it does, the car automatically locks the door to stop the driver from driving in their present condition.
Cars have become more than just vehicles. It has become part of people’s lifestyles. Soon, it may also become an aid in keeping their drivers healthy and safe.
