- Britons reveal the in-car technology features they expect to see in the vehicles of the future – with the ability to locate a parked car (93%), collision-preventing technology (91%) and biometric security (91%) perceived to be the most likely advances
- Flying and floating cars eschewed by two thirds of Brits in favour of more practical futuristic technology
- Technology to assist parking (63%) and braking (61%) top the charts for the most desirable in-car features
New research1 from Direct Line has revealed what Brits expect the car of the future to look like – but instead of flight and subsonic transport, Brits are much more down to earth in their expectations of futuristic motor transport.
In spite of flying cars having been on many a childhood wish-list, only 37 per cent of people actually believe that they will ever become a reality. Almost twice as many (69 per cent) expect amphibious cars to become available. However, Brits do foresee a future where no car is ever lost in a car park (93 per cent), no collisions take place and biometric technology makes vehicle theft impossible (both 91 per cent).
Other features drivers expect to see in the near future include advanced in-car entertainment (91 per cent) and augmented reality windscreen displays (87 per cent), while in good news for the environment 85 per cent of adults expect every car to be electric-powered and easily rechargeable at home and they expect this technology to be ubiquitous within 20 years.
Table One: The ten most-anticipated features in the car of the future
| Feature | Percentage of adults who believe this technology will become available | Estimated number of years for this technology to come into effect |
| Technology which enables you to find your car in a crowded car park | 93.4% | 9.2 |
| Technology that would prevent collisions taking place | 91.4% | 13.0 |
| Biometric security – e.g. cars only starting with your fingerprint | 91.2% | 10.9 |
| Cars with advanced in-car entertainment and communication functions (e.g. WiFi, Netflix) | 90.8% | 8.6 |
| Augmented reality windscreen displays to provide greater information about the road ahead | 87.6% | 12.9 |
| Cars which give feedback and advice on driving, such as advice on over- or under-braking, gear management and average speed | 87.5% | 10.3 |
| In-car “Siri”-style intelligent personal assistant | 86.7% | 12.6 |
| Every car will to be electric-powered and easily rechargeable at home | 84.7% | 19.7 |
| Fully driverless cars | 80.7% | 17.1 |
| All cars being able to communicate with each other, the road and their surroundings, ensuring that all collisions are avoided | 80.0% | 17.4 |
When asked about the existing in-car technology that they would most like, drivers hinted at a place for driverless cars in the near future, with features such as automatic parking assistance, automatic braking and proximity sensors the most-desired features. Other features such as self-adjusting seat and mirrors, as well as lane assist technology to alert the driver if they stray from their lane, completed the top five list of must-have in-car tech.
Table Two: The most-desired – and most commonly used – existing in-car tech features
| Feature | Percentage of adults who currently have this feature | Percentage of adults who want this feature |
| Automatic parking assistance | 8% | 63% |
| Automatic braking to prevent collisions | 6% | 61% |
| Proximity sensors | 20% | 59% |
| Self-adjusting seat/mirrors | 10% | 54% |
| Lane assist to alert you if you stray from your lane on the motorway | 5% | 53% |
| Touchscreen controls for audio and other functions | 16% | 45% |
| An electric vehicle that is easy to charge at home | 2% | 43% |
| Auto stop/start technology which turns off the engine in stationary traffic | 17% | 42% |
| On-windscreen dashboard/head up display | 6% | 42% |
| Hands-free phone technology | 28% | 39% |
| Voice control technology | 8% | 36% |
| Voice-to-text messaging | 7% | 34% |
Interestingly, engine stop-start technology equally divided drivers; 83 per cent said they have yet to have it in their car, with 42 per cent saying they would like it and 41 per cent saying they don’t want the feature. Drivers don’t appear keen on their car doing what they tell it to either, with 56 per cent saying that they don’t want voice control technology in their car, while 59 per cent don’t want voice-to-text messaging capabilities.
Dan Freedman, Head of motor development at Direct Line, said: “What is interesting about this research is that it indicates a clear preference amongst drivers for autonomous technology, with things like voice-to-text-messaging being eschewed in favour of technology which sees the car park and brake for itself. This demonstrates a desire among motorists for technology to assist with the core elements of driving to help make their journeys smoother and safer.
Freedman continues: “It will be fascinating to see how the car of the future shapes up, but what is certain is that drivers don’t expect the pace of change to slow down any time soon.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Chloe French
PR Manager
Direct Line Group
Tel: 01651 831 715
Email: chloe.french@directlinegroup.co.uk
Notes to editors:
1 Research conducted amongst 2,000 UK adults between 8 and 11 November 2016.
Direct Line
Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.
Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.
Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 3761 or visiting .
Notes to editors:
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