Cars were originally designed as means of getting from point A to point B, and although their primary use remains the same, the way they get it done changed quite a lot. Technology plays an important role in the evolution of cars, and we’re not talking about your average CD player here.

Whether it is making your car smarter, safer, or more enjoyable, technology is now ever-present in cars, and we wouldn’t want it any other way. Here are five advanced automotive technologies that are on the rise.

Since we mentioned your car’s sound system, let’s start with it, and see how it’s been upgraded. Sure, nobody has the classic, old-fashioned radio in the dash anymore, but instead have a more sophisticated CD player, MP3 player, or even DVD-player.

There are even better options now, however—namely the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both technologies rely on the principle of integrating your smartphone with your car’s multimedia unit. The smartphone is connected via the appropriate technology (Apple CarPlay for iPhone users, Android Auto for Android users), enabling access to many of your smartphone’s features directly on the car’s in-dash display. You can initiate calls, check your social media accounts, use navigation systems, and do it all via an interface that’s similar to your smartphone’s, or via voice commands (Google Now for Android Auto and Siri for CarPlay).

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