From Lauren Leffer at SciAm:
“Modern cars are often described as “computers on wheels.” They come with automated driver assistance systems, large display screens, Internet connections and a multitude of ways to sync with smartphones.
Yet in the rush to innovate and one-up competitors with ever newer technology, things may have gone too far. Some developments have made driving safer, but others veer toward tech excess that can actually harm drivers. Cars in the current generation can be pricier to repair, harder to understand and operate and, some experts in the field say, more likely to cause distraction and driver disengagement.
And a report released last week now suggests that some new car tech also poses a major threat to data privacy. The new report was issued by the Mozilla Foundation, an Internet-focused nonprofit group, and concludes that when it comes to handling users’ personal information, today’s high-tech cars are the worst category of consumer products the organization has ever reviewed. Cars “have evolved into a privacy nightmare,” says Jen Caltrider, director of Mozilla’s privacy reporting program. Because they incorporate motion and pressure sensors, GPS, cameras, microphones and smartphone connectivity, modern vehicles can collect an astounding range of information on their drivers and passengers.”
“The true cost of high-tech cars is multifaceted, but one component comes down to dollars and cents in a very direct way. Repairing cars that come with advanced driver-assistance technology or other intensively computerized features can be up to three times as expensive as similar maintenance on vehicles without such tech, says Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering and industry relations at the American Automobile Association (AAA). Additionally, not all shops are equipped to repair such vehicles.”
Analysis
As we push for smarter and smarter tech in our daily lives and the products we use, cars are naturally an excellent subject for tech integration. As the article explains, new features like display screens, assistance systems, internet connection, and more have become standard. While these new features and affordances are being welcomed by some, they also come with a range of issues. Increased complexity, increased cost to purchase and repair, safety issues, and privacy breaches all come along with these new technology implements. The negative effects of these implementations are not quiet, asking anyone about their experiences with cars of the last decade and they will be able to relate to confusing instructions and poor experiences with existing and connecting tech.
