Are new technologies in cars really necessary ?

© Sony

In the 2000s, there were no touch screens, no rearview cameras, no voice assistants. 10 years later, the interior of cars has undergone a real technological revolution. Manufacturers have transformed our cars into rolling computers, multiplying the screens, sensors and other cameras, to the point of having gaming machines more powerful than PS5s in some Teslas.

This frantic race for innovation nevertheless raises questions. Do Drivers Really Want All This Technology ? JD Power's survey on the user experience of new automotive technologies provides an interesting insight. It seems that some innovations leave drivers cold or even annoyed.

Is it really necessary ?

Take the example of passenger screens, the latest craze among premium manufacturers. Supposed to offer an interactive experience to the front passenger, these screens are in reality not very popular. Difficult to use, they complicate the task of dealers who already have to train customers to use the central screen. The result is an expensive feature that is struggling to find its audience.

The same goes for semi-autonomous driving systems. Despite the manufacturers' marketing efforts, these technologies are perceived as not very useful by drivers. Even more worrying, a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety suggests that they do not improve road safety.

Technology at the service of the driver: the right balance

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Faced with this observation, should we therefore reject all innovation technological in the automobile industry ? Certainly not. The JD Power study highlights technologies that are popular with drivers, starting with driver assistance systems.

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The blind spot detector, for example, meets a real safety need. The same goes for reversing cameras, which are now mandatory on new vehicles. These technologies, far from being gadgets, concretely improve the driving experience and safety.

Artificial intelligence is also making its way into our cars, with promising results. Intelligent air conditioning systems, capable of automatically adapting to the occupants' preferences, are particularly appreciated.

The challenge for manufacturers is therefore to find the right balance between innovation and practicality. In-vehicle technologies must solve real problems, without overloading the driver with unnecessary information or features.

Not everything is useless either

This quest for the right technological mix is ​​reminiscent of the evolution of other automotive equipment. Electric window lifters have obviously replaced manual cranks, and this is not the only example in the history of the automobile. These innovations have endured because they responded to a real need to improve comfort and ergonomics.

They become problematic when they seek to solve problems that do not exist or when they unnecessarily complicate the driver's life. We are thinking in particular of the integration of fingerprint readers or BMW's gesture control.

The future of automotive technology will therefore depend on its ability to integrate naturally into the driving experience. Manufacturers will need to listen to user feedback to refine their offerings and focus on truly useful innovations.

• Many on-board technologies are considered of little use by drivers
• Driver assistance systems and smart air conditioning are appreciated
• Manufacturers must focus on innovations that solve real problems

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