Automobiles or cars are one of the most prevalent means of transportation in the present world and with the progress of time and enhancement of scientific technologies, various newer and innovative models of cars have emerged.
Smart cars one of the recent innovations in the field of automobile engineering and it is a specialized car which makes use of artificial intelligence or AI for its functioning. These smart cars are more dependent on technology and technical skills and are aided in their functioning by computerized devices and automation technology. The experimentations with reference to the development of smart cars have led The European Commission to draw up a special program known as the Intelligent Car Flagship Initiative whose main aims include formation of smart cars having certain features like lane departure warning system, project AWAKE for lethargic drivers and Autonomous Cruise Control.

It is opined that the smart cars which will be devised and launched in the future will possess various advanced functions like satellite monitoring and position monitoring, self-parking and most significantly driverless commuting. In fact, various researchers have made premature claims that the smart cars of the future will be able to function without any form of interference from the point of view of the driver and will be able to cope with traffic hazards by means of infrared and wireless connections to decipher the road signs and signals while steering clear of accidents and making the right turns in case of road curves all by themselves. In fact it has been revealed that traveling among congested traffic is not going to be a difficult endeavor for the smart cars with the presence of the computerized engine management systems, wireless and GPS or global positioning system. one of the most important aims of the smart cars is to enable driverless commuting. This can be made possible in the future with the use of enhanced technical tools which permit their independent functioning with minimum interference form the driver and having alcohol locks for errant drivers and hypo-vigilance systems for the drowsy driers. Smart cars are also expected to ensure pollution control and possess anti-lock breaking systems. There are certain smart car ventures which have been launched for improving the level of intelligence. These include ComuniCar, SEVECOM, ADAS etc.


The perfect prototype of the smart car has been aptly represented in the sitcom Knight Rider as KITT. Some non-fictional smart car variants include Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz Robot Cars.

By: Robert Baird

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