In a presentation at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, Cox Automotive made their predictions of 10 technologies that drivers will see by 2020. Here’s a rundown of their list:
1. Fully autonomous vehicles: Cox believes that drivers will be able to (safely) read a magazine, apply makeup or take a nap on their morning drive to work by 2020.
2. Biometric vehicle entry and starting: Throw away your keys because Cox predicts that all new drivers will need to start unlock and start their cars by 2020 is their fingerprints.
3. Driver override system: If you’re tired of dinging and scratching up your car, Cox anticipates that your car will save you from yourself by 2020 and minimize those parking lot mishaps.
4. 100 percent vehicle tracking: By 2020, Cox expects that entities such as insurance companies and government agencies could track the location of all vehicles.
5. Active window displays: Within five years, Cox imagines that warnings and real-time feedback could be displayed on the windshield as you drive.
6. Remote vehicle shutdown: Cox predicts the demise of the high-speed police chase by 2020, as vehicles will be able to be switched off remotely.
7. Active driver health monitoring: Cox believes that cars in 2020 will be capable of tracking driver health, reducing the risk of traffic accidents stemming from to medical emergencies.
8. Four-cylinder supercar: Cox predicts that speed and power will come in a smaller package by 2020 with the introduction of 4-cylinder supercars.
9. Reconfigurable body panels: For drivers that can’t decide whether they want a truck or an SUV, Cox imagines that, by rearranging a few body panels, drivers could soon have both styles in one vehicle.
10. Personalized in-car marketing: Google Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) already personalizes internet ads based on users’ behavior, and Cox believes that cars will target drivers with advertisements based on similar metrics (such as location) by 2020.