The Evolution Of Car Safety Technology: From Airbags To Self-Driving Cars

 From their inception, modern automobiles have come a long way. Thanks to the technical progress. Initially, gasoline vehicles lacked safety measures such as seat belts and crumple zones. These features are intended to protect passengers from serious injury during a collision.

Today, however, safety is one of the most crucial factors for car designers and manufacturers. With each new model, incredible advancements in safety are introduced. 

Continue reading to learn more about how car safety has evolved.

Some Basic Safety Features In the Car 

The safety features in cars are the most preventable cause of death. These features have evolved to make driving cars safer.

Generally, every vehicle on the road is installed with features like:

• Seatbelts

• Indicators

• Front and rear cameras

• Airbags

• Alarms

• Mirrors

• Crumple zone

• Sensors

• Window positioning has been optimized for increased visibility.

Car Safety Technology In The Past

Since the first autos hit the road, car safety has come a long way. People began to appreciate the need to ensure that cars were safe to use as they became increasingly prevalent. We have witnessed many breakthroughs in car safety technology over the years, from introducing airbags to creating self-driving cars.

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Early In the 1900s:

When the earliest automobiles hit the road, there were no safety features. Because the cars lacked seatbelts and windscreens, accidents were prevalent, and many people died in car accidents.

As a result, the first wipers and windscreens were invented in 1903.

Rise of the Airbags:

The airbag is one of the most significant advances in automotive safety technology. The first airbag was designed in the 1950s but was not used in production until the 1970s.

In the case of an accident, airbags inflate immediately, providing a cushion for the driver. But they work best with seatbelts on. These are now compulsory safety features in all new vehicles and have saved countless lives.

Frontal and side-impact airbags are normally designed to deploy in moderate to severe crashes, but they may also deploy in lesser incidents.

During a crash, airbags lessen the likelihood that your upper body or head may collide with the vehicle's interior. To avoid an airbag-related injury, ensure you're correctly situated and remember that airbags are meant to supplement, not replace seat belts. Children below the age of 13 should sit behind the front seat.

Anti-lock braking system

In the year 1978, Mercedes introduced the first electronic anti-lock braking system. It was another massive improvement in car safety technology. ABS helps the wheels lock during severe braking, which can cause the vehicle to skid and lose control. It is now a key feature in recent cars and has also reduced the number of accidents.

Electronic Control System

The 1990s saw an increase in electronic systems installed in our cars. It is also another safety feature that helps the car from losing sudden control. When the vehicle loses power, ESC detects it and applies brakes to individual wheels to assist in bringing it back under control. 

Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

The most current breakthrough in automotive safety technology is advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). ADAS uses cameras, radar, and other sensors to help drivers avoid accidents and stay safe. Among the most frequent ADAS features are:

• Lane departure warning warns the driver if the vehicle deviates from its lane.

• Blind-spot monitoring alerts the driver if a vehicle is in their blind spot 

• Automatic emergency braking automatically applies the brakes if a collision is imminent

• Adaptive cruise control maintains a safe distance from the car in front 

• The pedestrian detection system causes cars to brake automatically when they detect a pedestrian. It employs camera and radar technology to detect other vehicles and pedestrians.

Self-Driving Cars

These are the future of car safety technology. Self-driving automobiles or trucks are those in which human drivers are never necessary to take control for the vehicle to function effectively. They are also called as "driverless" cars since they use sensors and software to operate, navigate, and drive the vehicle.

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has created a classification system for self-driving automobiles with six automation levels. The six levels of self-driving cars are as follows:

Level 1: zero automation: the humans perform the driving tasks such as steering, braking, etc., as there are some systems to assist the driver.

Level 2: driver assistance: An automated vehicle system, such as cruise control, is installed at this level. Adaptive cruise control keeps the vehicle safe from the next car. It is classified as Level 1 since the human driver monitors other aspects of driving, such as steering and braking.

Level 3: partial automation: it features lane centering and emergency braking. But the driver can take control of the vehicle when necessary. Automation fails in self-driving because a human sits in the driver's seat and can take control of the car at any time. This level is met by Tesla Autopilot and Cadillac (General Motors) Super Cruise systems.

Level 4: conditional automation: Vehicles have environmental detection capabilities at this level. The car performs automated tasks, such as accelerating past a slow-moving vehicle, but still, human intervention is required.

Level 5: high automation: Under some conditions, such as on highways or in specific geographic areas, the car can conduct all driving functions in case of a system failure. Yet, in some cases, the driver may still be required to take control.

Level 6: full automation: the vehicle performs all the driving tasks. No human assistance is required. These vehicles will not have steering wheels or accelerator/braking pedals. They will be geofenced-free, able to go anywhere and accomplish whatever a skilled human driver can. Completely autonomous vehicles are being tested in many parts of the world, but none are available to the general public.

Note: From level 0 to 2, humans monitor the environment, whereas, from 3 to 6, the automated system monitors the environment.

These systems, using complex AI algorithms and visual sensors, can spot harmful driving patterns such as distracted driving, cellphone use, fatigued driving, or tailgating and inform drivers in real-time so that dangerous behavior can be corrected. These systems do more than merely correct behavior; they reinforce safe driving.

Are You Planning to Upgrade to a Newer, Safer Car?

If you want to upgrade to a newer, safer vehicle, you may wonder what to do with your old vehicle. One option is to sell your car For Cash in Brisbane.

it is an excellent method to eliminate an outdated vehicle that is no longer safe to drive or that you no longer use. You can invest the proceeds from the sale towards a newer, safer car with more advanced safety features.

It's critical to find a reliable buyer who will pay you a fair price for your automobile when selling it for cash in Brisbane. Speedy Cash for Car is a reputable buyer in the Brisbane area who will pay cash for your vehicle.

Conclusion

During the early days of the vehicle, car safety technology has come a long way. Car safety has become a primary goal for car manufacturers and drivers alike, from introducing fundamental safety measures such as seatbelts and windscreens to the most recent breakthroughs in ADAS and self-driving automobiles.

Automotive safety technology has come a long way, and we can only anticipate it to improve further in the next years. We can look forward to a safer, more secure future on the road as sophisticated safety systems become standard in new automobiles, and self-driving cars become more common.