Automotive Solutions – For A Faster And Safer Tomorrow

The automotive industry is one of the largest in the world contributing to the production of 52, 940, 559 cars in the year 2008. Japan is the largest automobile producer in the world with Toyota being the largest company. With a large number of cars and commercial vehicles worldwide it is important to look at how automotive solutions will help to build a faster and safer tomorrow.

New energy sources and materials are being developed in order to produce automobiles safer, less polluting and more energy efficient. Platoons, Automated Highway Systems (AHS) and Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) are three advanced control mechanism that will enhance road safety and congestion through intelligent transportation system. 

Automotive solutions have developed hydrogen cars which use hydrogen just like in an airplane. Electric cars which use motor controllers and electric motors instead of internal combustion engine (ICE) and compressed – air – cars use compressed air for powering the motor. 

Apart from alternative fuel vehicles automotive solutions have developed energy efficient mechanisms that can supplement conventional cars. Regenerative braking captures back energy lost as waste heat from brake pads. The turbosteamer technology of BMW converts energy form ICE to produce mechanical energy which increases fuel efficiency by 15%. 

Compressed air hybrid a type of engine forces highly compressed air into the engine and reduces fuel consumption by 30%. Implementing computational fluid dynamics and Vortex prevention devices onto cars can reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. Steel in cars may be replaced by fiberglass, duraluminium, carbon fiber and nano tubes in order to improve lightness and strength.

Automotive solutions for fuel like ethanol and biogasoline which are environmentally friendly options are used as alternatives to petroleum based fuel. Biofuel is derived from biological material and is used to produce energy that is used in automobiles. Alchohol and sugarcane based ethanol help to improve emissions and use less energy.  

VTEC otherwise known as the Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control which was developed by Honda helps to improve the volumetric efficiency of an ICE engine. The VTEC is an entirely new approach to engine design. It combines the benefits of drivability and outright performance which was a challenge till some time ago. 

General Motors Corporation and Shanghai Automotive Industry recently announced fuel cell vehicle powered by GM’s fourth cell propulsion technology. The theme of World Expo 2010 is “Better City, Better life” which provides solution for sustainable transportation and promotes vehicles for tomorrow.

Advances in automotive solutions have has helped to develop innovation and consumer fridnly products.
 
Huges telematics in its next generation technology is creating cars equipped with blind spot detection video cameras. The vehicle is programmed to take a picture of anyone trying to break – in to the vehicle and send a picture via e-mail.

BMW’s assist is a equipment which automatically relays information to medical personnel when an accident occurs giving details of the vehicle and location. The program also determines the severity of the injuries and also checks to see if the person was wearing a seat belt.

Through the improvement in automotive solutions consumers are able to choose from different alternatives. Whether it is for speed, safety, fuel efficiency or durability technological advancement has come a long way to help consumers meet their needs.