Car News

Modern cars are safer than ever before, but the complex sensors and cameras required to make features like autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assist work can be seriously costly to fix. That's according to a new report from the North American AAA, which found minor accidents damaging only the bumpers, door mirrors or windscreen can cost up to US$3000 ($4200) more when semi-autonomous technology is involved.

Google Maps users are now able to search for EV (electric vehicle) charging stations, as part of the popular app’s latest update. Along with the locations of charging stations, users are able to see the type and number of charging ports available at the location, as well as charging speeds.

We've written about it before at CarAdvice and discussed it on our various radio shows and the podcast, and we're not the only ones who think that autonomous vehicle technology continues to grow at a rate much faster than the regulations required to police it. In many instances, manufacturers can already offer autonomy that far outstrips the legal framework we have.

The list of manufacturers planning to use Google for their infotainment systems has grown from two to five, with Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi announcing Android will underpin its alliance-wide infotainment system from 2021. Under a new agreement, vehicles in the alliance will rely on Android for their infotainment, opening the door for Google Maps integration, among other Google Play apps designed specifically in-car operation.

BMW has announced its competitor to MBUX, dubbed Intelligent Personal Assistant (IPA), ahead of its production debut in March next year. As is now standard in smart speakers from Google, Apple and Amazon, you can prompt the IPA with 'Hey BMW' – good luck to owners with a Google Home – and it'll take care of essentially any of the in-car functions for you. Owners can also name their car's assistant, with BMW offering Charlie or Joy as suggestions.