There are many ways in which technology is incorporated into how we travel from one place to another. Such technology includes electric cars, navigation apps, smart roads, and even translation apps. This technology means we can travel more efficiently and be less stressed by the journey. It also means we won’t become lost and will be able to communicate with everyone we meet. Let’s look at some of these technological wonders that are all around us.
The Technology That Powers Our Electric Cars
There are several possible ways that we can power our electric vehicles when we are on the go. Level 1 charging outlets require a standard 120-volt plug. In addition, many of today’s electric cars come with portable charging equipment that allows us to plug into any 120-volt outlet. Typically, the average daily commute of 40 miles can be easily replenished overnight with a Level 1 charger. On the other hand, in most cases Level 2 charging requires charging equipment to be purchased and installed. The typical Level 2 charger can fully power the same 40-mile average daily commute in less than 2 hours.
In situations where even a Level 2 charger will not suffice, we can use a DC fast charger. DC fast chargers can provide 10 to 20 miles of range per minute. DC Fast Charging is typically designed for public charging stations only and not for home use. Most electric cars are equipped for DC Fast Charging today, but we should always be aware of our car’s charging connector before we try to plug in. We will likely find we either have a Tesla charger that can be used at a Tesla Supercharger, an SAE Combo connector, or a Chademo connector.
The Technology Behind Good Directions
Whenever we are on the move one of the most critical factors is knowing where we are. Now a wide range of options allow us to be able to find directions even if we do not have access to our phones. For example, Google Maps now provides turn-by-turn navigation without the need for a phone. We can now enjoy having easy access to maps if we have a watch connected to the internet. When we enable location on our phone, navigation on our watch will operate even when our phone is locked.
The Technology Behind Smart Roads
The road is often overlooked when discussing the future development and digital transformation of modern transport infrastructure. It is amazing how we can use technology to make the roads we drive on work better for people and vehicles. For example, smart highways can incorporate various electronic technologies. Smart roads can combine physical infrastructures like sensors and solar panels with software such as AI and big data.
Smart Road technologies are embedded in roads and can improve visibility, generate energy, communicate with autonomous and connected vehicles, monitor road conditions, and more. They are used to improve the operation of connected and autonomous vehicles, traffic lights and street lighting. In addition, they are used for monitoring the condition of the road, traffic levels and the speed of vehicles.
For example, sensors lining highways can monitor traffic flow and weight load, warn drivers of traffic jams, and automatically alert the authorities about accidents. Fiber-optic cables embedded in the road detect wear and tear, and communication between vehicles and roads can improve traffic management. Rapid flow technologies use artificial intelligence (AI) to manage traffic lights, which respond to each other and cars. Traditional systems were pre-programmed to optimize flow around peak journey times. New technologies can process and optimize flows in real time.
The Technology Behind Translation Apps
When we are on the move, we might find ourselves somewhere where people speak a different language. This has given birth to the modern industry of language-related apps. From instant translation to AI-powered language learning, there’s an app for just about everything related to language and translation. The more a translation app is used, the more it learns to statistically make correct associations with sounds, text and meaning. The latest translation apps incorporate voice-recognition software, meaning we can either speak or type in the word or phrase we want translated.
