Hyundai and Kia have developed a new technology that predictively shifts your car. Information and communication technology (ICT) selects the optimal gear based on the conditions and shape of the road (and traffic) ahead of you.
According to Hyundai and Kia, ICT will improve driver comfort as well as fuel efficiency by minimizing the number of unnecessary shifts.
The ICT connected shift system uses software in the transmission control unit (TCU) that pulls real-time data from the navigation equipment, like maps of the road and info from onboard cameras and radar. The nav equipment also includes data on curvature, elevation, gradient, and road conditions. Hopefully, it includes speed traps as well.
An AI algorithm processes the data and shifts the car to optimize performance. For example, it will pop into neutral to save on gas when the vehicle can coast, or move the car into sport mode when merging onto the highway.
During tests, the system reduced shifts in cornering by 43%. It also reduced braking by 11%, which saved on wear and driver fatigue.
Hyundai and Kia will add ICT to future vehicles, and it has an obvious place in enabling autonomous cars of the future.
Next, the team is working to make ICT learn the driver’s preferences and also communicate with traffic signals via LTE or 5G.
