3 Automotive Gadgets For Hitting The Road
The trend toward buying SUVs and other large vehicles has created a ripple effect in the car accessories market. There are more gadgets available today than ever before. GPS devices, in-vehicle entertainment centers, and iPod connections are but a few of the recent technologies that drivers can’t seem to do without.
photo credit: mroach
Roadtrips used to mean bringing along snacks and an ice chest filled with drinks. No more. Today, hitting the road means bringing an assortment of electronics to pass the time and ensure that you don’t lose your way. Here are 3 automotive gadgets that millions of motorists have grown to love and rely upon:
#1 – DVD Player / Entertainment System
There was a time when a car stereo was enough to satisfy drivers and their passengers. When in-vehicle entertainment centers were first introduced, most people scoffed at the extravagance. Times have changed. Many SUVs are now outfitted with DVD players for those who are sitting in the back. For parents with young children, these entertainment systems, once a novelty, now seem like a necessity.
#2 – GPS Device
photo credit: sonicwalker
Older drivers might remember pulling out their dependable Thomas Guide maps to find their way. These days, traditional roadmaps are as rare a dent-free car in a busy parking lot. Automotive GPS units now come with downloadable (and therefore, frequently updated) maps of the entire nation. What’s more, prices for these devices have plummeted. A Magellan RoadMate 1430 will cost under $250.
#3 – iPod Connectivity
Why limit yourself to a few CDs when you can literally bring your entire music collection with you on the road? iPods continue to be the default MP3 player for millions of people. Automakers realized this a few years ago and began taking steps to accommodate the trend. Today, Ford, General Motors, and Mercedes Benz routinely equip their car inventories with iPod connection jacks. When you’re driving long distances, having your entire CD collection right next to you is a fantastic luxury.
The Future Of Automotive Technology
Each year, car manufacturers go to great lengths to develop innovative features for their vehicles. Some of these features, like the gadgets described above, are designed to add comfort to your driving experience. Others – for example, lane changing alert systems, automatic tire pressure monitoring, and blind spot warning systems – provide greater driver and passenger safety.
Automotive technology will continue to grow. New car gadgets will be created to offer greater comfort and more flexibility behind the wheel. At the same time, vehicles will be equipped with more robust systems which help their drivers avoid injury on the road. Even as automakers struggle to maintain profitability in the current economic climate, they realize that motorists’ needs must be addressed. And that may be the driving force behind tomorrow’s automobiles.
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