auto evolution continued from page 36 today's vehicles have capabilities once only tom beaman tom beaman has more than 30 years of experience as a communications manager in the automobile industry freelance writer based in rochester the bells and whistles the new auto technology can be daunt- dashboard has truly become a command • stop and start their vehicle with the from their smartphone • call for emergency assistance • maintain a preset distance from other cars with adaptive cruise control • let their car search for a parallel park- ing space and steer the vehicle into the spot • help detect a flat with a tire pressure monitoring system • plot a course with onboard satellite navigation emails and messages hands-free with apple carplay and android auto • choose from hundreds of channels on satellite radio advanced driver assistance systems can help drivers be more aware of their sur- roundings and can even step in to help them avoid a collision "features like blind-spot warning braking and lane departure warning are all intended to keep you safer using cameras and ceo of the center for automotive previously confined to the most expen- able across the board radar and cameras can identify other matically apply the brakes if the driver doesn't react in time sensors can also detect vehicles in blind spots during normal driving and traffic approaching from the sides when reversing out of parking spots for highway safety and the highway loss data institute revealed a 56% reduction in the rate of front-to-rear crashes with injuries in cars equipped with forward collision warning and automatic braking
