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The automobile has gone through a continuous range of innovations in the 21st century that appears to only be accelerating. Some of the biggest companies in the world like Apple and Google are pouring millions of dollars into advancing in-car technologies.

But already vehicles have shifted from being simply a means of transportation to having a range of features to make transportation even more efficient and environmentally friendly and safe. Vehicles are becoming greener and smarter than ever. Below are the top five vehicle innovations of the 21st century.

One: Hybrid Vehicles

Toyota leads the way when it comes to hybrid vehicles, with its very successful Toyota Prius vehicle. With sales of over three million worldwide, it has proven that hybrid vehicles can be very popular. A hybrid vehicle refers to a car that uses different energy sources, such as electricity.

It directly addresses the environmental concern pollution and toxic emissions have caused from non-hybrid vehicles. It is considered one of the cleanest and most green vehicles a person can drive, particularly suitable for those who are concerned about the environment. It is sold on a global scale.

Two: Fuel Cell Technology

Fuel cell technology refers to vehicles that are powered by hydrogen that is converted to electricity. It is a major innovation, because for a long time people have been looking for ways to drive cars without polluting the air. Fuel cell technology is close to making that dream a reality. Many major automotive companies are pouring money into research and development to get their fuel cell-powered vehicle unveiled.

A vehicle with fuel cell technology mainly only releases water and heat, substantially lowering the environmental impact the vehicle will have on the environment. Although a vehicle powered by fuel cell technology hasn’t been released to the mass market yet, signs are pointing to it happening very soon. California, in particular, has made a big commitment to fuel cell technology, wanting to install an increasing amount of hydrogen pumps over the next decade to accommodate cars powered by fuel cell technology.

Three: Digital Satellite Radio

Digital satellite radio has been a game changer in how people listen to the radio when driving. It’s a form of satellite radio for cars that allows a great variety of programming choices for the driver. Most people pay for it on a monthly subscription and it has dramatically changed how people listen to the radio in the car.

Four: Smart Airbags

While airbags were introduced to the public before the 21st century, smart airbags are a more recent development. When first released airbags were hailed as changing the amount of safety someone could expect when driving a vehicle. And inevitably, the original airbag has undergone its own innovations. Smart airbags can calculate such things now as:

Weight of the person
If the person is wearing a seatbelt
Age of the person
Severity of the crash

This can go a long way towards preserving the health of a person if a moderate to severe crash were to take place.

Five: Emergency Response

Emergency response is also another innovation that dramatically increases the safety of a passenger. This means that local police are immediately notified if an accident happens so that a person can receive immediate treatment or assistance. But it also can be helpful if a vehicle is stolen so that it can be tracked.

Over the years vehicles have become safer, more stable, and more environmentally friendly. Ideally, these innovations may dramatically decrease the amount of injuries or fatalities that happen in an accident. With the continued advancements of fuel-cell technology, people can also rest easy driving a vehicle that is environmentally friendly.