Auto manufacturers have no option other than to realign their strategies in order to accommodate the looming revolution. Connected and electric cars are already on our roads. And the reality of fully-autonomous cars is coming closer and closer. Technology is helping auto companies to not only modernize their manufacturing processes but also to gather, manage, and analyze data. There's also tons of data being generated by vehicles themselves All of this data will soon be the guiding factor for the automotive industry going forward impacting everything from the vehicles themselves, to the driver and passenger experience, and even insurance and car warranties.

Here are five trends that will be playing a key role in making rides smoother, safer, and more efficient.

As a child, Ariana Merrill loved to figure out how cars worked, and this has translated into her love and passion for mechanical engineering.  For the past 12 years, Ariana has been helping communities thrive through careful monitoring and innovation of electrical and mechanical systems. Ariana also is a tech enthusiast living in New Jersey. She is a computer science and engineering graduate, specialized in artificial intelligence. She loves to write on how AI is paving all industries.