Revolutionizing Off-Roading: How Tech is Transforming Trail Adventures

by AutoExpert   |  5 June, 2024

Share :

Let's face it, driving is getting a serious tech upgrade these days. Electric vehicles are all the rage, and don't even get me started on self-driving cars (coming to a UK road near you by 2026, apparently!). But what about off-roading? How can all this fancy tech make conquering those trails even more epic (and maybe a little safer)?

Enter Potential Motors, a company that's putting a futuristic spin on off-roading. Their big idea? Use your car's camera like a super-powered terrain scout.

Off-Roading

How would all of this work? Your car's cam would act as a copilot, always scanning the road ahead. It sees a patch of loose rocks? Boom! The car automatically adjusts its traction control to keep you gripping the ground. Hit a steep climb? The suspension stiffens up for optimal climbing power. Pretty cool, right?

Off-Roading

But why is Potential Motors so hyped about this camera tech?  Their CEO, Sam Poirier, says it's all about preventing those nasty accidents – you know, the ones where the driver (or the car) just doesn't react fast enough to changing conditions.  This tech can basically "future-proof" your driving, whether you're a seasoned off-roader or just a grocery-getter who occasionally encounters a surprise pothole.

Off-Roading

Now, you might be wondering if this is just a fancy concept car pipe dream.  Nope! Potential Motors has actually built two vehicles from scratch to test their ideas. One's a tricked-out electric monster truck, and the other's a souped-up dune buggy.

Off-Roading

The dune buggy would get a much smoother and stress-free experience. The car's suspension would automatically adjust to the terrain's surface and you would drive care-free. It's kind of like going from a manual to an automatic transmission – the car takes care of the details, so you can focus on enjoying the ride (and the scenery!).

Off-Roading

It's not all flowers and roses, however. Potential Motors does face a challenge with the translation of the info received by the camera into car adjustments, but with computer vision and AI - we don't see an issue in overcoming this.

So, when can we expect to see these camera-wielding off-road beasts on the market?  It depends on the carmaker.  Some might bake this tech right into their vehicles, while others might offer it as an add-on for adventurous drivers.

Off-Roading

One thing's for sure: with Potential Motors leading the way, the future of off-roading is looking pretty darn awesome.  Think conquering those trails with a little less sweat and a whole lot more confidence?  The future is here, and it has a camera for a co-pilot.

Recomended:

Audi’s A2 Had a Removable Bonnet, but Owners Didn’t Need It Off to Check the Oil - Photo
Others
Audi’s A2 Had a Removable Bonnet, but Owners Didn’t Need It Off to Check the Oil

The original Audi A2’s front service flap provided access to its oil dipstick and the filling points for engine oil and washer fluid. More extensive engine access involved removing the bonnet. O

AutoExpert
Look Behind the Seats: Porsche Gave the 928 Sun Visors at the Back - Photo
Others
Look Behind the Seats: Porsche Gave the 928 Sun Visors at the Back

The Porsche 928 had small sun visors near the top of its rear hatch opening, roughly level with the tailgate hinges. They helped shade the rear cabin from sunshine entering through the large, sloping

AutoExpert
Honda Put a Vacuum Cleaner in the Odyssey, but Spilled Drinks Were Still Your Problem - Photo
Others
Honda Put a Vacuum Cleaner in the Odyssey, but Spilled Drinks Were Still Your Problem

HondaVAC was a factory-installed vacuum offered on selected Honda Odyssey versions. Stored in the rear cargo area, it cleaned up dry dirt and debris using a pull-out hose and attachments. Despite bein

AutoExpert
This Maserati GranTurismo Is Now A Handcrafted Copper Work Of Art - Photo
Car News
This Maserati GranTurismo Is Now A Handcrafted Copper Work Of Art

Someone looked at a Maserati GranTurismo and decided it needed a copper skin. Not copper-colored paint, actual copper, hammered by hand and shaped into a one-off body. The result is the Peralta D, the

AutoExpert
Toyota Put Snow Tracks on Five of Its Toughest SUVs and Trucks — But You Can’t Buy Them - Photo
Concept
Toyota Put Snow Tracks on Five of Its Toughest SUVs and Trucks — But You Can’t Buy Them

Toyota apparently looked at five of its SUVs and pickups and thought, “You know what these need? Snow tracks.” The result is the Snowhunter concept family, a collection of machines built t

AutoExpert
Mopar Gave the 2027 Dodge Charger More Attitude — But No Extra Horsepower - Photo
Car News
Mopar Gave the 2027 Dodge Charger More Attitude — But No Extra Horsepower

Mopar is turning 90, and its birthday present comes with carbon fiber, a hood scoop, and enough attitude to fill a parking lot. Meet the Mopar '27 Dodge Charger, a limited-edition package that giv

AutoExpert
Aston Martin Valkyrie Owner Spent $314,000 On Options, But May Still Lose Millions - Photo
Car News
Aston Martin Valkyrie Owner Spent $314,000 On Options, But May Still Lose Millions

Aston Martin built only 150 Valkyrie Coupes, and getting one new meant having millions to spare. Now, one of these road-going machines is heading to auction with an estimate that could leave its origi

AutoExpert
Mitsubishi Just Turned the Family-Friendly Outlander Into a Much Tougher Trail SUV - Photo
Car News
Mitsubishi Just Turned the Family-Friendly Outlander Into a Much Tougher Trail SUV

Most Mitsubishi Outlanders spend their lives doing school runs, grocery trips, and the occasional family holiday. The new Diamond Trail Edition, however, looks like it has other plans. Unveiled ahead

AutoExpert
Stuck at the Pump? Your Fuel Door May Have a Release Hidden in the Boot - Photo
Others
Stuck at the Pump? Your Fuel Door May Have a Release Hidden in the Boot

A stuck fuel door may have a manual release accessible from the luggage compartment. First check that the car is unlocked, then consult its handbook for the correct procedure. Some cars have a release

AutoExpert
Turn This Citroën’s Steering Wheel and the Middle Stays Exactly Where It Was - Photo
Others
Turn This Citroën’s Steering Wheel and the Middle Stays Exactly Where It Was

The first-generation Citroën C4 used a steering wheel with a rotating rim and a fixed central section. Keeping the centre stationary meant its controls stayed upright and allowed an airbag design

AutoExpert