6 revolutionary technologies shaping the future of cars

Technology which is shaping the future of the automotive industry

Remember when power windows felt like cutting-edge technology? Those days are in the rearview mirror.

From crab driving to cinema screens and EV charging robots, the gap between fantasy and reality is getting smaller when it comes to technology in cars.

With manufacturers constantly working towards something new, there’s a lot of automotive technology coming our way.

Think the unthinkable. The kind of technology that almost sounds too good to be true.

So, let’s dive into our six revolutionary technologies that are shaping the modern automotive industry.

Hyundai's e-Corner 'Crab Driving' Tech

We don’t know about you, but we try to stay away from parallel parking at all costs.

But sometimes, there’s only that one parking spot left, and it’s one where you must perform this awful manoeuvre.

Say hello to ‘e-Corner’ technology.

The system allows the wheels to turn 90 degrees, meaning the car can walk sideways, just like a crab.

The tech is also capable of diagonal driving as it can perform a pivot turn. This is where the front wheels stay put and the back of the vehicle swings into place.

Not only will it make parking easier, but it’ll also allow you to turn around without having to move forwards or backwards. No more 100-point turns to get out of that tight spot.

While still not available to buy, we certainly can’t wait for this technology to be rolled out.

2023 BMW 31-inch Theatre Screen

Want to instantly silence those backseat drivers? BMW's solution: a massive 31-inch Theatre Screen that transforms your car into a mobile cinema.

Currently exclusive to the luxury 7 Series and electric i7 as an optional extra, this ultra-wide 8K screen descends from the roof, complete with a 4D sound system that makes seats vibrate during action scenes.

Passengers can stream from Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Prime, or enjoy games and live TV via 5G. The full cinema experience comes courtesy of the moon roof and window shades that block out light, while door-mounted touchscreens let everyone control the entertainment without stretching.

School runs and motorway journeys might just become the highlight of everyone's day – though this particular feature might make you reluctant to ever arrive at your destination.

Genesis face recognition

Keyless entry is old news… but keyless entry using facial recognition? Revolutionary.

Facial recognition allows the car to be locked and unlocked without the need for a physical key (except for the first time where you’ll set up your profile for facial recognition).

You might think that’s a bad idea, considering someone could just hold up a photo of you and get access to yourcar. But to actually start the car, your fingerprint will need to be provided using the built-in scanner.

Also, there are already other technologies, such as Face ID on your phone, which use a dot projector and flood illuminator to read a 3D scan of a user's face. A photo would not provide any of that data.

No more fumbling around in your bag for your keys. Simply have your face ready to be scanned and voila, your car is unlocked.

We’re sure you’ll be pleased to hear about this futuristic feature, especially if you’re one to forget your keys and spend 10 minutes looking for them – this’ll be a big time saver.

Battery tech - NIO battery swap & BYD's Super e-Platform

The EV revolution faces two persistent roadblocks: charging time and range anxiety. Two Chinese manufacturers are racing ahead with solutions so innovative, we couldn't possibly choose between them.

NIO battery swap

While most manufacturers focus on faster charging, NIO has taken a completely different route – why wait to charge when you can simply swap batteries?

NIO's Power Swap Stations are essentially high-tech pit stops for your electric car. Drive in, and the automated system removes your depleted battery and replaces it with a fully charged one in about five minutes – roughly the same time it takes to fill a petrol tank.

The best part? You don't even need to leave your seat.

Each station houses 14 batteries that charge continuously, ensuring there's always power waiting for you. No more scrolling through social media while tethered to a charger for 45 minutes.

BYD's Super e-Platform

If NIO's approach is revolutionary, BYD's Super e-Platform might just be supernatural.

Their promise? A staggering 240 miles of range from just five minutes of charging.

This isn't science fiction – it's BYD's very real 1,000 kilowatt charging system, which delivers ten times the power of today's fast chargers.

Standard EVs can't handle this kind of power (the cables would literally melt), so BYD is redesigning vehicles with 1000V architecture and batteries with 50% less internal resistance.

They've already begun upgrading their Chinese models – the Han L and Tang L saloons – with this "kilovolt" technology.

While UK drivers know BYD for the ATTO 3, SEAL, and DOLPHIN, this game-changing system could eventually eliminate charging anxiety completely. Forget self-driving cars – this is the innovation that could truly accelerate EV adoption worldwide.

Colour changing BMW

Could you imagine changing the colour of your BMW lease car to match your outfit?

Well, this BMW is like a chameleon. It can change colours on demand, in fact, 32 different colours and patterns too.

The concept car uses E Ink technology, which the same material used in an Amazon Kindle screen that allows you to read in the sun. The prototype has 240 separate colour cells which can all change individually, when signaled to do so, to bring different pigments to the surface.

So, with the push of a button, you could go from white, to pale green, to bright pink or to red with racing stripes, whatever you so wish.

Having teased car fanatics with this magical concept, there are no plans at the moment for it to be made available for the public so don’t expect to see the colour-changing tech on our roads anytime soon. But we hope other manufacturers are taking notes and release this cool tech to the masses.

Hyundai EV charging autonomous robot

Hyundai have developed an automatic robot that will be able to charge your EV for you – a big win for accessiblity.

The robot will be capable of opening the cover of the charging port, picking up the charging cable, plugging it into your EV’s charging port, unplugging it, and then closing the cover.

How does it work? Using 3D camera-based artificial intelligence, the one-armed robot will be able to effectively communicate with your electric car.

Cool, right?

According to Hyundai, the robot is designed to improve accessibility to EVs and charging, especially for those with mobility barriers.

The speed of charging is a big hurdle in the greater adoption of electric vehicles, so as cables become thicker and heavier to accommodate development in high-speed charging, this robot will transform the transition to electric for many.

The road ahead: Automotive fantasy becoming reality

From sideways-sliding wheels to colour-changing exteriors and robot charging assistants, it's clear the automotive industry is accelerating toward a future that once seemed possible only in fiction.

These six revolutionary technologies demonstrate how quickly the gap between fantasy and reality is closing. 

While some innovations focus on convenience and entertainment, others – particularly the breakthroughs in EV charging – are addressing the real-world barriers that have slowed wider adoption of going electric.

What's most exciting is that these aren't distant pipe dreams. Many of these technologies already exist in concept or early production forms, with manufacturers racing to bring them to market.

Keep your eyes peeled!