The new automotive technology is missing. It is not there. If we have it, why don’t you use it? All this technology could save lives and we seem to have fallen behind Germany in terms of its application, even though a lot of it has been created by our own MIT geniuses.
Because the Big Three have been trying to reduce their costs, we now see with the Euro down and the dollar up that many foreign carmakers are also reducing safety features. Volkswagen was one of these companies to try to decrease costs and increase investment. Volkswagen claimed it would reduce costs and invest less after profits fell more than half in the last year. However, sales of its new Golf V hatchback were slow.
Meanwhile it’s parent company Audi is busy testing some new radar assisted driving and anti-collision products in proving grounds in AZ.
Recently, I had the chance to meet the Audi head engineer. He explained that the main problem in getting American technology into American vehicles was the concern about cost and class action lawsuits. So they didn’t plan to install the latest ECS devices.
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The worst part about all this is that almost 42,000 people are now killed each year by auto accidents. This can be fixed, but this technology will eventually fall prey to class-action law suits. All the lawyers must be killed immediately, Shakespeare and Caesar were right. Only then can we save people’s lives.
The following radar devices are available in Germany for many Audi models. At 60 KPH, the car behind it is approximately 30 meters ahead of the one in front. This means that for every 1 km per hour, the car is half as far back. It works great, and many newer cars also have white right line following. They also have a system where if you see a car in front, the car releases the pedal and tightens your seatbelts, like the Honda SmartCar. The steering wheel then puts pressure on the car to get around the obstruction, and your reflexes take control.
This system also has an interface with the new ESC, but you need to have all-wheel drive for this to work. This will also help with Winter Weather safety. It has been shown that the weather affects consumer purchasing habits for all wheel-drive vehicles, both passenger and commercial cars. Therefore people won’t have to worry about putting chains on their car. Because car buyers desire to own a “go-anywhere, do-anything”After the SUV trends, we can see consumers are drawn to this type of car.
This is something that automakers are seeing and they are willing to sell more vehicles that transmit engine power to all four corners. Although four-wheel drive is still in high demand, it is becoming less popular. All-wheel drives, also known as SmartCar Technology, also shift control about the vehicle while you drive. According to industry analysts and website Gurus, there will be 42 All-wheel drive models available for car buyers by 2006. It is a 33% increase over the model years 2003-2004. We have even heard estimates that by 2008, the number of all- wheel-drive cars on the road will double by today’s count, well at least this is what Ford’s Visteon Corp., unit is saying and of course they hope so since they are a supplier of all- wheel-drive technology and other SmartCar electronic systems. Automobile manufacturers see a rising demand of all-wheel drive cars as an opportunity to make more money and lower their costs. Optional equipment for all-wheel-drive systems is now available at a cost of up to $1500
After seeing the Detroit Auto Show prototype cars, it is clear that all-wheel drive has been gaining popularity. The cars are designed to have better handling and more control for canyon runs of Mach 2 at 10 PM, midnight and beyond. This will make them a pleasure to drive if they’re genuinely car enthusiasts. This may be a problem for automakers who are limited to rear-drive models. Consumers now have the option of all-wheel drive, as well as those manufacturers that spend years convincing them front-wheel drives work better on poor roads. The consumer can choose to have all of it, but those consumers who are confused will opt for either the one or both. The best of both the worlds is offered by all-wheel drive.
Over half of American women (55 percent) and all of their male counterparts (56 percent) said that they choose All-wheel for safety, performance and traction. Smart Cars can influence people by making new friends. SmartCars and intelligent transportation.
This is how smart car technologies have always started. We first sought anti-locking brake systems (or ABS) a decade ago. This was initially a safety feature and an optional option that only existed on high-end vehicles. We’ve recently seen GPS navigation available as an option on many luxury vehicles, but it is now standard. This trend is also being seen in midrange and high-end SUVs. In a short time, airbags became more than just a safety option. They are now a standard feature on high-end and mid-range cars. About half of all European cars have ESC with all-wheel drive. In the US, only 6% use them due to lower costs.
Over the past 30 years, fatalities in Germany have fallen by 70% per mile. In America, that number is about 20%. This is a good start, but there are still many ways to improve. Did you remember the big Firestone news? Only 3 percent of fatal rollovers resulted from tire wear. ESC can have prevented around 20% of these crashes. It will now be required on all 8-15 passenger vans.
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These statistics are from Arlington, VA’s Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Mercedes added ESC to their vehicles in a German study that reduced control accident losses by 21%. ESC isn’t available on a Ford Explorer. This happens because it doesn’t exist until you upgrade to an Expedition SUV or Excursion SUV. The 4-Runner from Toyota offers it here in the US. Christine Tierney wrote an informative article in Business Week, 28 April 2003 about the 4-Runner. This is truer today than it was when Tierney first wrote it.
We discussed the issues with an Audi Engineer friend. He explained that the radar following device was available on all A3-A8 Audi models. And in Europe, it is possible to order your vehicle your way. On an A3 there is a 350-choice range of possible bumper combinations. These include different kinds of fog lights, colors and designs. The German government found a way for infrared photo cameras to be placed on your vehicle. This will give you a ticket and a warning for speeding. We did improve the German radar during WWII, and have been able to use their military technology to civilly collect the fines for speeders using this infrared technology. In the United States, we are now seeing more cameras red light unmanned devices and automatic ticket camera.
The radar-assist following autopilot is not able to operate below 20 MPH so it’s not possible to use the system in cities, or even stop at stops like the Belt Way, Boston Tunnel or 405 FWY in Seattle, or I-10 Houston. It is not possible to use the hands-free radio with your phone connected, but it is a good idea. The ticket costs 80.00 Euros for using your phone while you drive unless you are hooked up. GM and the other amazing hotshots think that they have the China market covered. But the Audi A6 has already been made for China. Although they may eventually win the market, they remain behind at this stage. They must also realize that larger cities are too big for cars. Traffic is so insane they won’t be able to take more.
The one-year growth rate of additional cars is 100% in Beijing. You can get around on a bicycle, moped, or cart if you don’t mind traffic. Even though the A6 China car is not fully functional and almost without suspension, this is China’s first step into the Chinese market. A Diesel car, which is currently being tested, is not connected with any drive train. The engine runs at a constant 1800 to 2000 RPM. It is the most polluting because it charges the batteries when the car is parked or driving. There is also an Audi A8 that puts out 325 HP, as well as an R56 that puts out 455 HP. It’s the cleanliness and efficiency that is so interesting about the hybrid electric-diesel. It’s a great system. Ford’s on the move: FORD LAUNCHES INTERNET HIGHWAY REVOLUTION
The new wireless sensor technology could eventually be used in almost all city vehicles.
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You have to be impressed with Audi’s work more than Ford. From Germany. I believe he was driving to the Proving Ground, Arizona when he spoke about radar-assist following devices that they use in Germany. Some interesting and secret testing. The device would have a cost of $3,000 US once tort laws are reduced. They would then be on their way to the dealerships. It travels half as fast. 50 miles per hour 25 feet. It would attach to their all-wheel drive system. The car would stop in one lane, and it would continue to go in the opposite lane, provided that there were no lines. The auto-pilot technology that follows the line to the right was also integrated. Progress has been slowed by too many lawsuits regarding finish product liability. However, partial reform of the class action lawsuit lawsuit regime may allow for greater risk-taking with new technologies.
Audi worked in America in the ITS field during DENSO’s recent period – i.e. GPS/car navigation systems. The programmers behind these systems believed that people don’t realize that vehicles that are kept in motion emit less emissions. Stop and go, constant idle, and stopped and gone are some of the most harmful conditions to emissions. The savings can also be beneficial for the health and insurance costs. There are also other US companies that work on the same technology. It is amazing technology that you have been working on. Interactive SmartCar. It’s all about economies of scale, and pricing. The Big Three are cutting down on costs and we don’t get the technology that we need in the States. My problem is ABS and All-wheel Drive or ESC make it difficult for all other technologies to be fully utilized.
Honda was very helpful in addressing my concerns about the need to tighten the seatbelts and release the accelerator. As the Audi guy explained, they’re testing a car that runs at a specific speed so it doesn’t pollute. The car then charges the batteries. This system has all of the latest technologies. It runs this machine for approximately 7000 hours.
A German man I had met was cruising around the country and talking to people. A smaller, quieter engine that runs from 1800 to 2000 RPM could power the small 42-volt battery charger and be used for diesel. Each wheel is equipped with a motor, power steering and ABS. You can feather the props of the motor to make it two-wheel drive. Once it is fixed, you will need a small clutch. It all runs net-centric. It works for me. While it is a smarter, more intelligent car built on the same platform as its predecessors in appearances and functionality, the core of it has been totally rebuilt. It is a smarter, more efficient, and better car for those 42,000 people who are killed in accidents each year.
Traffic flows are hampered by stop-and-go traffic, Diamond carpool lanes and toll booths. These issues are nearly as bad as 15% fewer deaths each year. Mercedes showed 15% using ESC, just to think about all the technology that we have now. US Manufacturers are primarily interested in the cost of the car. If people finance their vehicles for only 8 years, and keep them there is no other option. Long term rentals may also require GPS or Satellite RFID ping-finding devices. Enterprise Rent a Car offers long-term rentals, and this we think could be a good idea.
Let’s face it cars are getting smarter and people are getting dumber. Audi seems to be doing this with the Pasat, A4, and then A6. And later, I think it will happen with the A8. Smart US Big Three should keep their cool. They will be as they are certain to win, with the increased competition for car sales from new technologies. According to 40% of respondents, auto safety is their top priority when choosing their next vehicle.