For many people who are working towards retirement, thoughts often wander onto enjoying life to the full, spending more time on hobbies, with the family, travelling and perhaps buying a sports car as a reward for years of hard work.
Research by peer-to-peer lender Zopa in August 2015 found that 49% of over-55s said ‘they don’t struggle to find money to fund lifestyle purchases’. ‘Due to lower financial obligations, the study reported that this age group ‘spends a higher proportion of their disposable income on holidays, home improvements and cars’1.
“Automotive technology has raced ahead in recent years as car manufacturers pour their efforts into driverless vehicles – and much of the new technology now available on mainstream models can significantly enhance the enjoyment mature drivers derive from motoring”, comments Alan Locke of Aycen garages in Manchester.
Many over-50s still enjoy highly rewarding careers and car technology collaborations from the likes of Harman and Microsoft enable businesspeople to maximise their efficiency while on the move, Office 365 car integration allowing emails to be listened to and dictated, conference calls participated in and documents printed remotely so they’re ready on arrival.
The Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence® and the MIT AgeLab’s research on Top Technologies for Mature Drivers in 2015 saw experts rank car technologies for mature drivers – and safety systems proved the most desirable2. Auto full-beam headlights, emergency response systems and reversing cameras were rated the top three technologies, closely followed by lane departure and blind spot warning, steering and parking assist, voice activation and drowsiness alerts. Such technologies not only benefit drivers at home in the UK but also when taking their cars abroad, either to holiday homes on the continent or on retirement road-trips.
Infotainment is another exciting area of car technology development, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enabling over-50s smartphone owners to integrate their devices with their vehicles, listening to their favourite music, using the apps they are familiar with and feeling connected while behind the wheel.
Connected car technology is also of great benefit, motorists able to control their smart homes from their cars, adjusting central heating systems, preheating ovens, switching lights on or off and ensuring they never miss their favourite TV shows by using the connectivity available.
Sports lovers’ lives have been made more convenient through the launch of Jaguar’s Activity Key technology as seen on the F-Pace SUV, the key replaced by a robust and fully waterproof wristband. Trips to the garden centre or the beach with the family are now easier thanks to foot-gesture technology from the likes of Ford, making opening the boot much more convenient. Car technology clearly is bringing wide-ranging benefits to many drivers contemplating and already enjoying retirement.
