The world of automobiles has gone through a number of changes since Karl Benz invented the first practical car back in 1886. In fact, it’s been through a lot of changes in just the past few decades. All you need to do is look at the cars from the 1990s, and you can see how much automotive technology has changed since then. That being said, this should be no surprise, as for more than 130 years now, the automotive industry has been driven by these very technological advancements. Here are eight huge milestones the automotive industry has seen.

Mandatory Tire Pressure Monitoring

These days, your chances of seeing a car parked on the side of the road with a flat tire are relatively slim. Over the past couple of decades, the automotive world saw a spike in popularity for run-flat tires, which meant that drivers rarely noticed when one or more tires were running flat. This fact lead to the standardization of tire pressure monitoring systems. These warn drivers about their under-inflated tires before any real trouble occurs.

Bluetooth Integration

When Bluetooth wireless technology was launched back in the 1990s, it’s significance to the automobile industry wasn’t immediately apparent. Thankfully, by the early 2000s, the company had created its first hand-free kit, allowing you to answer a call, in your car, without having to hold your phone. These days, more and more countries and areas have started to ban answering your phone while driving, making this hands-free connection not just useful, but necessary.

On-Board Diagnostics 2

As the name suggests, the on-board diagnostics 2 was an evolution of the first system, created back in the 1980s. Although you may still have to visit a recommended auto service and repair shop to fix your mechanical troubles, this system allows you to find out what is wrong with your car all on your own. This technological advancement has also allowed for more precise and complex air and fuel management, which resulted in the improved performance we see today.

GPS Satellite Navigation

Not too long ago, a road trip meant packing an atlas, a bunch of fold-out maps, and a few travel guides to get you where you needed to go. Thankfully, none of this is necessary any more. Although it is sensible to carry an up to date map in your car, more often than not, your GPS is on hand to help you reach your destination. They guide you at every turn, offer alternative routes, give traffic updates, and can change their voices to suit your mood.

Radar-Based Cruise Control

With all of the recent talk about self-driving cars, it’s humbling to know about the smaller innovations that have paved the way for this future. Take radar-based cruise control, for example. While older cruise control could maintain a vehicle’s speed, these newer systems could also keep a safe distance from the car in front. This same technology has also been used in collision avoidance systems, warning drivers when they’re in danger and applying the brake automatically.

Rear-View Backup Camera

Back in the early 2000s and the years prior, the only way to know what was happening behind your car was to turn around or use your mirrors. Unfortunately, neither of these options are ideal, as there’s no way to cover the entire area behind your vehicle, risking pets, children, and, of course, your car. However, in recent years, around half of all cars come with a rear-view backup camera as standard, helping drivers to avoid bumps and saving little lives.

Smart Key Fobs

When most older drivers picture getting into a car, they imagine sliding into the seat and turning a key. After all, that’s what driving was a few decades ago. These days, however, this process tends to feel a little outdated, as most cars are equipped with a start button and a fob instead. All you need to do is hold your fob near your vehicle, and it will unlock, allowing you to start the engine with one click. This is very convenient and makes firing up your car almost effortless.

Modern Airbags Everywhere

Although it’s strange to imagine it now, there were days when airbags weren’t safe, practical, or reliable enough to go into vehicles. However, the automotive world has changed a lot since then, as have laws regarding transportation. These days, not only are airbags recommended, they’re mandatory, so you won’t ever see a car without them. It’s this legal requirement that made the modern airbag into the lifesaver we all know today.

The milestones listed above are just a few in a long line of automotive technological advancements, and this line is only ever going to grow – so it’ll be exciting to see what’s in store for the next couple of years.