Back to the Future

I was scanning my archived files the other day, and came across an interesting item from 2000 ...

The topic featured hi-tech developments for cars. I've got to say, most of the innovations mentioned back then have come to pass, and those that have yet to hit the market have been mentioned as being expected soon:

Hands-free telephony - including voice-activated dialing - that's capable of sending and receiving e-mail and faxes and that will also allow motorists to teleconference in the midst of a traffic jam. Video-conferencing won't be far behind. And night vision, once reserved for nocturnal warfare, is emerging as a visual-safety tool that could prevent highway tragedies.

Map pockets in car seats could disappear, usurped by satellite-guided navigation systems that can lead motorists from one place to another via graphic data on a console-mounted video-display screen. Or a driver could call up a kind of traffic concierge service and get personal directions.

More cars will be equipped with sonar and will beep or send visual warnings of impending collision, as some do now when a motorist is in danger of backing into a wall, another car - or an unseen child.

Sleep monitors could become standard equipment. They are electronically controlled devices designed to detect erratic driver behavior, such as jerky steering or the erroneous entry into a curve, that might stem from driver drowsiness. Detection triggers an audio alert designed to wake the driver and avoid a crash.

Even traditional, lead-acid auto batteries will be "smart." Sears Roebuck, for example, is introducing its new DieHard Security battery, which can be programmed to "die" if a thief attempts to circumvent the car's ignition system.

Cars will use more plastic, aluminum and specialized steels to save weight and fuel, and enhance vehicle recyclability. Ford already is including recycled plastic, carpet --- and denim jeans --- in materials needed to build its 2000-model Focus sedans, hatchbacks and wagons.

In the entertainment realm, new-century cars will offer far more than today's top-of-the-line sound systems. Expect subscriber radio stations that broadcast only the music or subject matter you want to hear, commercial-free.