Computers, no matter whether they are PCs, tablets or smartphones, have become integral parts of our lives.

They have also become central components of modern vehicles. In fact, many new cars, especially at the top end of the market, have more computing power than a jet fighter.

Computers control virtually every operation of a vehicle from the way the engine performs to the safety features and communications. Technology such as electronic traction control, active cruise control, lane departure and collision avoidance is only possible because of computers.

And we are only at the beginning of a journey that will ultimately remove the need for any human input into their operation.

Car manufacturers are also working with some of the biggest technology companies in the world to develop software that will enable the car to communicate with your house, office and other vehicles.

On the drive home from work we will not only be able to do simple things such as switch on lights, the air-conditioning or heating and open the garage door before we arrive home, but the car will also be able to inform us of any grocery items, such as milk, you may need via a message from the refrigerator. It will then tell you where the nearest store is, what the traffic is like on the way and how much it will cost. While these technologies may be some way off becoming a reality, the amount of technology in vehicles is increasing at a rapid rate.

We had a glimpse of the coming technology available at the Geneva motor show this month.

Audio specialist Harman used the Geneva motor show to show its new dashboard for the car of the future on its Dock+Go electric concept car.

It highlighted, better than any other car, just how integral the smartphone will become to the motor vehicle. The phone was used to unlock the Dock+Go and, once inside, you docked the phone on the steering wheel and pushed the green button on the phone's screen to start the car.

Once the car is up and running it will automatically adjust to the driver's tastes. It will personalise entertainment and information from the web as well as learn your driving routes and habits.

And, according to Harman, this will all be done without the driver needing to turn a dial, touch a screen, or even utter a word.

Another consortium is examining ways of mirroring a smartphone display on the dashboard of cars providing the driver access to satellite navigation and social network pages via voice activation.

At the Ford stand they launched the new B-MAX, a car that is built on the same platform as the Fiesta. It will be the first car in Europe to offer SYNC, Ford's voice-activated, in-car connectivity system that features Emergency Assistance which will automatically call the emergency services and provide the car's location if it is involved in a crash that sets off the airbags or shuts off the fuel system.

SYNC is an advanced voice-control system that enables users to connect mobile phones, play music via Bluetooth or USB and make hands-free telephone calls using voice commands.

Ford Australia spokesman Neil McDonald said that we would see the SYNC technology in the Focus later this year.

Ford is also accelerating its commitment to vehicle-to-vehicle communications, becoming the first automaker to build prototype vehicles for demonstrations across the US.

"Ford believes intelligent vehicles that talk to each other through advanced wi-fi are the next frontier of collision avoidance innovations," Sue Cischke, group vice-president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering said.

A recent US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on vehicle-to-vehicle communications estimated that intelligent vehicles could reduce minor accidents by 81 per cent annually.

In the US there are more than 4.3 million minor accidents reported to police each year.