The document discusses how automobiles have evolved from simple transportation devices to connected computers on wheels. It describes how modern cars can make calls, play music, self-park, and provide navigation. Connected cars can also communicate with each other about traffic or hazards. The document concludes that while cars are still mainly used for transportation, technology is changing consumer expectations and the role of the automobile.

1. Running Head: GENESIS TO REVELATION: AUTOMOBILES
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Genesis to Revelation: Automobiles
Teresa J. Rothaar
Wilmington University

2. GENESIS TO REVELATION: AUTOMOBILES
Genesis to Revelation: Automobiles
When Mercedes created the first modern automobile in 1901 (History.com), the car
served one purpose: transportation. Over a century later, the primary purpose of the automobile
is still transportation, but the modern car can do much more than move people and possessions
from Point A to Point B. The 1980’s television series Knight Rider featured KITT, a talking,
self-driving car with almost as many features as a TARDIS. At the time, the concept was pure
science fiction, but many of KITT’s features are a reality in modern automobiles (The
Economist, 2009). 21st
century cars can make and receive telephone calls, play DVD’s and
stream music from MP3 players, warn drivers of road hazards, park themselves, and provide
turn-by-turn driving directions.
The Connected Car
While Google’s driverless car was all over the news in 2014, an article published in The
Economist in September argues that the “connected car”—able to communicate with the driver,
passengers, and other vehicles—is what will pave the way to a driverless vehicle. The ability to
connect a mobile phone to a car via Bluetooth, and proceed to make and receive calls with voice
commands directed at a dashboard interface, has existed for several years; even some economy
cars now boast this feature. A truly “connected” car takes this technology further with
smartphone apps that allow drivers to control certain functions; for example, the electric BMW
i3 offers an app that lets a driver monitor the car’s battery status as it is being recharged, and
Audi is developing a feature that would allow a driver to exit the vehicle and use a smartphone to
instruct the car to park itself (The Economist, 2014).
Connecting cars with each other is on the horizon. Potential features include the ability
for one car to receive information regarding a traffic jam, accident, or road hazard from a vehicle
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3. GENESIS TO REVELATION: AUTOMOBILES
further down the road (The Economist, 2014).
Built-In Navigation
Many car manufacturers offer a built-in navigation system as an upgrade. Not only do
these systems offer turn-by-turn directions, they can also be used to find the nearest restaurant,
gas station, or hotel. However, many consumers find built-in navigation systems to be inferior to
stand-alone GPS systems and smartphone apps. In response, Ford Motor Company recently
announced that the next version of AppLink, its system for connecting smartphones with its
SYNC dashboard system, will work with existing smartphone apps such as Google Maps,
allowing drivers to project maps from their phone to their dashboard screen (Lardinois, 2015).
Cars as Wi-Fi Hotspots
In 2013, Chrysler gave buyers of its Ram 1500 truck the choice to upgrade to a 3G
cellular modem that would turn the vehicle into a Wi-Fi hotspot for devices located within 150
feet; Audi also offered this ability in the 2013 model year, but at a higher price (Montoya, 2014).
General Motors is offering 4G Wi-Fi on more than 30 of its 2015 models, including the economy
Chevrolet Spark (Edgerton, 2014).
Cars as Entertainment Centers
The first commercially successful car radio was not introduced until 1930, and the first
FM radio didn’t appear until 1952 (Berkowitz, 2010). Modern cars can connect with MP3
players to stream music, play DVD’s, and access satellite radio services. Connected, self-driving
cars are poised to turn vehicles into full-fledged entertainment centers, where passengers and
drivers (freed from having to operate the vehicle) will be able to stream videos, play games,
check their email, and update their social media networks (Shankland, 2013).
Conclusion
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4. GENESIS TO REVELATION: AUTOMOBILES
Modern cars still don’t have the artificial intelligence of Knight Rider’s KITT, but
arguably, this is only because AI is still in its infancy itself; if AI is developed, there’s no
question the technology will be adapted for use in vehicles. Cars were created for the purpose of
transportation, and that’s the primary reason why consumers still purchase cars. However,
technology is changing our expectations of vehicles and our relationship with our cars. Cars are
not just for transportation anymore.
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5. GENESIS TO REVELATION: AUTOMOBILES
References
Berkowitz, J. (2010, October). The History of Car Radios. Car & Driver. Retrieved from
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/the-history-of-car-radios
The Economist. (2009, June 4). The Connected Car. Retrieved from
http://www.economist.com/node/13725743
The Economist. (2014, September 6). Smartphones on Wheels. Retrieved from
http://www.economist.com/news/technology-quarterly/21615060-way-cars-are-made-
bought-and-driven-changing-mobile-communications
Edgerton, J. (2014, September 2). GM is Making Your Car a Rolling Wi-Fi Hotspot. CBS News.
Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/gm-is-making-your-car-a-rolling-wi-fi-
hotspot/
History.com (n.d.). Automobiles. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/automobiles
Lardinois, F. (2015, January 12). Ford’s AppLink Will Soon Support Third-Party Navigation
Apps. TechCrunch. Retrieved from http://techcrunch.com/2015/01/12/fords-applink-will-
soon-support-third-party-navigation-apps/
Montoya, R. (2013, June 4). Six New Car Technologies That Will Simplify Your Life.
Edmunds.com. Retrieved from http://www.edmunds.com/car-technology/six-new-car-
technologies-that-will-simplify-your-life.html
Shankland, S. (2013, September 3). How Google's Robo-Cars Mean the End of Driving as We
Know It. CNET. Retrieved from http://www.cnet.com/news/how-googles-robo-cars-
mean-the-end-of-driving-as-we-know-it/
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6. GENESIS TO REVELATION: AUTOMOBILES
References
Berkowitz, J. (2010, October). The History of Car Radios. Car & Driver. Retrieved from
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/the-history-of-car-radios
The Economist. (2009, June 4). The Connected Car. Retrieved from
http://www.economist.com/node/13725743
The Economist. (2014, September 6). Smartphones on Wheels. Retrieved from
http://www.economist.com/news/technology-quarterly/21615060-way-cars-are-made-
bought-and-driven-changing-mobile-communications
Edgerton, J. (2014, September 2). GM is Making Your Car a Rolling Wi-Fi Hotspot. CBS News.
Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/gm-is-making-your-car-a-rolling-wi-fi-
hotspot/
History.com (n.d.). Automobiles. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/automobiles
Lardinois, F. (2015, January 12). Ford’s AppLink Will Soon Support Third-Party Navigation
Apps. TechCrunch. Retrieved from http://techcrunch.com/2015/01/12/fords-applink-will-
soon-support-third-party-navigation-apps/
Montoya, R. (2013, June 4). Six New Car Technologies That Will Simplify Your Life.
Edmunds.com. Retrieved from http://www.edmunds.com/car-technology/six-new-car-
technologies-that-will-simplify-your-life.html
Shankland, S. (2013, September 3). How Google's Robo-Cars Mean the End of Driving as We
Know It. CNET. Retrieved from http://www.cnet.com/news/how-googles-robo-cars-
mean-the-end-of-driving-as-we-know-it/
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