RD ENGINEERING COLLEGE

DUHAI GHAZIABAD

A MINI PROJECT REPORT ON

“TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS IN AUTOMOBILE
INDUSTRY”
FOR THE PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
(2ND SEMESTER)
(BATCH : 2022-2024)
AFFILIATED TO
DR A.P.J ABDUL KALAM TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF : MR. SARTHAK TYAGI
SUBMITTED BY : NIMIKSHA BHARGAVA
ROLL NO. : 2202310700058

Acknowledgment
I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my teacher
Prof. SARTHAK TYAGI who gave me golden opportunities to do
this wonderful project on the topic TECHNOLOGICAL
ADVANCEMENTS IN AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY
who also helped me doing a lot of research and I came to know
about so many new things.

I am really thankful to them secondly; I would like to thanks my

parents and mentors who helped me a lot to finish this project
within the limited time.

While making this project I have gain so many knowledge and

innovative ideas so I would like to thanks all who helped me to
complete this project within limited time. This project enhances
my knowledge of thinking that helps me lots in future so I am
happy that this project is provided me. So, I would like to thanks
all you help me to make this project. It helps me to think some
innovative.

NIMIKSHA BHARGAVA
 Executive Summary Project Report

“A Descriptive glimpse of Technological Evolution

of Automobiles”

This Project report aims to focus on the expansion and transformation

took place in the Automobile industry over the years.

From our ancient era invention of wheel cart to the running of four
wheelers in automated mode through electricity, our human era has
watched a lot of transfiguration in automobile industry. It all started
with wheel heading to bullock carts proceeding to motorbikes and
eventually to four wheeler and even more than that. It took us a swap
to get use to all of these technological changes. Since the introduction
of automobiles to the mainstream markets of the world, technological
innovations have always been a part of the industry. The automobile
industry is witness to several incredible technological advances over
the last century.
Right from the arrival of engines that used fossil fuels to power
transportation, the impact of technology in shaping the automobiles
over the course has been enormous. Just like every other industry, the
automobile industry is also rapidly advancing in contemporary times.

Most features of the modern automobile are almost unrecognisable

from the original products other than they have four wheels and
steering. The integration of technological advances makes cars safer,
user-friendly and has introduced several features that improve their
value and usefulness for automobile owners. Modern automobiles can
offer much more than driving you from one point to another, just like
modern cell phones are capable of performing more than just a call.

The growth of digital technology is making it possible for

automobiles to implement autonomous driving and accident
prevention, among other features successfully. Without further ado,
let us get to know the five ways technology is changing the
automotive industry.

There are self-driving system technologies which can determine the

parameters of your vehicle, such as the number of passengers, weight
in the vehicle, and more to facilitate precise driving. Technology is
already aiding driving without the constant feedback of a driver, and
fully autonomous driving is going to become a default feature in the
upcoming automobiles soon.
With the use of electric vehicles, automobile owners can cut down on
transportation costs by one-third of conventional fuels. The
automobile industry is innovating on technology, such as hybrid
vehicles and cars running on alternate fuels. Electric cars are gaining
immense popularity nowadays all over the world due to spiralling fuel
prices. According to a study, a significant increase will take place in
the number of electric charging platforms in the summer of 2020.

With the human impact on climate causing harmful effects on the

environment, every industry is turning towards more environmentally
friendly technology. The burning of fossil fuels is a significant
contributor to degrading the environment, and the governments
around the world are implementing strict laws on emission norms.
Making changes to your lifestyle and how you use your vehicles can
significantly lower emissions.

The convergence of customer demands, electrification, and

connectivity is revolutionising the automobile industry to make more
technological changes in the next decade. Vehicles are also beginning
to offer internet connection to passengers allowing up to 7 devices to
connect at a time. Innovation and creativity are the foremost priority
of automobile brands to improve customer satisfaction and sales.
With the world going digital, automobiles are also using the
opportunity to integrate smart technologies into vehicles that serve to
enhance your ease of use.
 List of Contents

 Introduction
 Industry profile

 Evolution of use of technology in automobile

industry

 Upcoming technological advancements in

automobile industry

 Conclusion
 Introduction

The word ‘technology’ comes from two Greek words. These words
are ‘techne’ which means ‘craft’ or ‘skill’, and ‘logos’, which is
‘knowledge’. So, technology is a way of putting theoretical
knowledge into action by means of skills or engineering methods.

The Automotive Industry consists of a broad range of organizations

and companies with a critical objective of designing, developing,
marketing, manufacturing, and selling of motor vehicles. The
automotive industry makes a vital part of the world's economic
sectors by revenue Automobiles, however, are not entirely included in
the industry. The industry also does not include companies or
organizations dedicated to the maintenance of automobiles such as
fuel filling stations and automobile service and repair shops. The
industry consists of producers, however not limited to original
equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

The original equipment manufacturers consist of light trucks, cars,

heavy equipment, heavy trucks, and motorbike manufacturers.
Another category in the original equipment manufacturers includes;
wholesalers and automotive suppliers, distributors, dealers, and
importers. Companies in the automotive industry fall into two
categories that are car manufacturers and car parts manufacturers.
Vehicles in the modern world are becoming more complex and
involve more electronic parts than in the past years. It, therefore,
increases the number of components manufactured by suppliers rather
than the manufacturers.

The modern automotive industry is in a continual state of flux. The

success of any automobile industry relies on the salesroom as well as
the expertise of many different professionals. The sector offers
numerous employment opportunities in several positions such as
mechanical, sales, assembly, financial, creative, scientific, technical,
and business position. Other employment opportunities in the
manufacturing plants of the automotive industry include quality
control workers, safety engineers, managers, supervisors, designers,
and executives.

Since car manufacturing is expensive, there are a few numbers of

manufacturers in the automotive industry. Globally the world leaders
in the automotive sector include Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen, Nissan
Motors, and Hyundai. The automotive industry is also an example of
a mixed oligopoly. It is because it has only a few producers who
produce differentiated products.

The industry is entering a period of intense change, and the

automotive industry would change to mobility industry. The trends in
the industry are as a result of the combination of business models,
digital sciences, and new technologies in the material. The
transformation of the industry is more about people's connectivity to
automobiles. The change in the automotive sector will entail
connectivity, autonomous vehicles, redefined mobility, and
electrification. The integration of mobile information to the industry
would also set a pathway for predictive maintenance that monitors
and warns consumers about the operational performance of the
automobile.

Technology has already redefined the way cars use fuel, with electric,
hybrid and solar energy systems in cars beginning to displace the
internal combustion engine and fuel-fed engines as the driving force
of the future.
 Industry Profile
Automobile Industry

Introduction
Automotive industry, all those companies and activities involved in
the manufacture of motor vehicles, including most components, such
as engines and bodies, but excluding tires, batteries, and fuel.
The industry’s principal products are passenger automobiles and light
trucks, including pickups, vans, and sport utility vehicles.
Commercial vehicles (i.e., delivery trucks and large transport trucks,
often called semis), though important to the industry, are secondary.
The design of modern automotive vehicles is discussed in the
articles automobile, truck, bus, and motorcycle; automotive engines
are described in gasoline engine and diesel engine. The development
of the automobile is covered in transportation, history of: The rise of
the automobile.

Overview
The Automotive Industry is comprised primarily of the world’s
largest passenger automobile and light truck manufacturers. Through
broad dealership networks, most members of the industry sell vehicles
in the global market, covering developed and emerging countries.
Automotive manufacturers offer a variety of makes and models,
though there tends to be limited brand integration at the marketing,
advertising, and dealership levels. The bulk of these companies
operate production facilities in multiple geographic regions.
Automobile manufacturers are subject to the demands of a vast
international customers. Economic conditions affect industry sales.
Driving habits can change according to the economic cycle, and
therefore, product lineups are always shifting, with new models,
innovations, and technologies being developed to meet these
demands. As a result, dealerships try to showcase a wide range of
offerings, from small compact cars to sedans to light trucks and sport-
utility vehicles (SUVs). Drivers’ tastes and finances are varied and
often change. Thus, showrooms will often have sports, economy,
family, and luxury cars on hand to meet customers’ desires. Luxury
brands, with their high quality standards and advanced features, sell at
premium prices and carry rich margins.

Revenues
The price of gasoline (and diesel fuel) is an important factor
influencing customer demand. Indeed, the rise and fall of gas prices
since the 1970s has caused buyers to place varying degrees of
emphasis on vehicle fuel efficiency, durability, engine power, and
quality. Accordingly, market categories and product line up evolve to
meet customer preferences. Examples are crossovers, which combine
the features of an SUV and the traditional car, and hybrids, utilizing
the benefits of gasoline and alternative power (electric) sources. In
order to stay profitable, manufacturers and dealers must properly
gauge demand and carry the optimal mix of autos for each period in
the business cycle.

To assist customers with purchases, and support sales, many

companies offer low-rate financing programs and attractive
incentives, such as discounts and cash back. Warranties, covering
defects and repairs, are another means to lure drivers into showrooms.
Another way to generate revenue is to provide vehicle leasing. A
company can benefit from leasing via recurring payments over the life
of one or more contracts and the eventual sale of the vehicle.
Another good source of revenue is the sale of new or used cars to the
government and to private fleet owners (e.g., rental companies). The
auto industry is both capital and labour-intensive. These companies
have to manage numerous costs and expenses associated with
facilities, materials, parts, equipment, product development, and
employment. At times, the prices of key raw materials, such as steel,
can surge to record levels, requiring a nimble hedging strategy.
Research & development and marketing and advertising expenses will
have a discernable impact on the cost budget, as well. Too, given the
seasonal nature of demand and new product launches, effective
working capital management is crucial in supporting sales and
controlling costs and expenses.
The cost of labour has a big impact on competitiveness and
profitability. North American and European manufacturers are heavily
unionized. Though their power and influence has been waning for a
number of years, members of the United Auto Workers, for instance,
still make up a good portion of the U.S. and Canadian work forces
and have an effect on the industry’s health. Medical and pension
benefits are substantial and can be a competitive disadvantage,
especially compared to car makers based in Asia, where wage costs
are lower. Domestic union salary and benefit concessions, and import
tariffs, help to narrow the price advantage of foreign competitors.
Over its history, the American automotive industry has built up
considerable scale and, at the same time, weighty pension and
healthcare obligations. U.S. manufacturers have had to rely on debt to
maintain operations and pay out benefits. Interest expense is
significant. Production plant and dealer network consolidations have
become common in an effort to protect net profits. Domestic
companies have suffered market share losses over the longer term.

The Automotive Industry is an important segment of the global

economy, and its performance often tracks that of the broader
business cycle. Investors seeking above-average price appreciation
need to accurately time that cycle when taking a stake in this industry.
Some of the group’s stocks offer a modest dividend to support
investor loyalty. We caution that many of these equities carry low
marks for Stock Price Stability and Earnings Predictability.

Role of the Indian Government

The automobile industry has in many ways been shaped by the
Indian Government’s policy and nurtured in microeconomic
environment it helped to create. Apart from the direct impact through
fiscal policy instruments, the industry policy even influenced firm-
level learning processes and shaped technological capability
accumulation.

Since 1970, the Indian Government gradually added the automotive

industry to a list of its core or “pillar” industries, recognizing it as a
significant driver to achieve economic growth since it had many
forward and backward linkages. 38 The industry began to be
prioritized in the manufacturing sector for promotion and favorable
policy support to promote productivity. In 1975, as a general
industrial policy, the government permitted an automatic capacity
expansion by 25% every 5 years and removed price controls. 39

The share of commercial vehicles and passenger car segment also

changed in response to policy changes. Indian policy had favored the
development of the commercial vehicles industry, i.e., light and
heavy vehicles (for public transport of goods and passengers), as
opposed to the development of passenger vehicles.
Cars in particular were considered as luxury goods. By the early
1980s, the government had realized the need to develop the
passenger vehicle segment and took decisions like permitting
increased foreign capital and overseas collaborations and reduced
production licenses on manufacturing operations. In 1981, the policy
of “broad-banded” licenses was announced – permitting vehicle
manufacturers to produce different kinds of vehicles instead of just
one kind decreed earlier. Firms were allowed greater flexibility in
operations through policies such as minimum economic scale
requirements, exemption from detailed Monopolies and Restrictive
Trade Practices (MRTP) Act notification procedures. The
components sector was also de-licensed substantially.

Conclusion
With its buoyant economy, a large young population, and growing
foreign direct investment, India has been an attractive investment
destination for global automobile and component manufacturers
since the last two decades. Its growth story has been dominated by
more homegrown lead firms. However, absorption of global best
practices has been slower than in China. Strategies of firms in the
Chinese auto industry provided a boost to technological learning
more quickly and broadly than in India. 78 Capable of end-to-end
production, India has also become an assembly hub for large cars
and manufacturing hub for small cars. Firms have started exporting
to other countries. India-based manufacturers are engaged in global
innovation networks and sourcing suitable technologies from all over
the world to complement their own R&D efforts.
The AMP 2026 envisions that by the year 2026, the Indian
automotive industry will be among the top three of the world in
engineering, manufacture, and export of vehicles and auto
components, growing in value to over 12% of India’s GDP and
generating an additional 65 million jobs.

According to OICA statistics, the Indian industry accounted for just

5.38% of production in the cars segment and 3.48% of production in
the commercial vehicle segment in 2017. It has also not created lead
firms or MNCs of the scale that other more successful players like
Japan, South Korea, and other western countries have created. In
spite of the success of government policy in building auto supplier
industry, India continues to be a net importer of auto components
with its trade deficit for auto components increasing from US$
210 million in 2004–2005 to US$ 4.4 billion in 2009–2010 and US$
13.8 billion in 2015–2016.

The current policy debate is around the issue of how greater resource
efficiency can be achieved and the need for newer materials in light
of the industry’s plans to produce electric vehicles in India.
Innovation in new product development is lagging behind and
remains critical for the future of India to achieve competitive
superiority or at least maintain its low-cost advantage.
Manufacturing technologies need to be upgraded continuously.
Large investments for developing new indigenous technologies that
are green and compliant with recognized high efficiency standards
would help India move up the value chain.
Evolution of use of technology in
Automobile Industry

The evolution of the car has been a long one, but as time moves on,
technology develops faster and faster. The first car was invented in
1886 if you believe Mercedes-Benz, and then Henry Ford
revolutionized how they were built with the Model T in 1908. In
1922, electronic ignition replaced the starter crank handle, but it
wasn't until 1949 that Chrysler introduced the keyed ignition into
production cars. Cigarette lighters came to automobiles in 1921, then
car radios in 1930.
Once entertainment was taken care of, power steering appeared as far
back as 1951, and then Chrysler introduced air conditioning in 1953,
and cruise control appeared as early as 1958. Three-point
seatbelts appeared in 1959 courtesy of Volvo, while the 1960s saw
electric windows, heated seats, and intermittent wipers appear. Anti-
lock brakes were first seen in 1971, in 1973, the catalytic converter
turned up to ruin everyone's fun for nearly twenty years, and the first
digital dashboard appeared in 1974. Airbags started becoming
standard in the 1980s, then, in the 1990s, things started really picking
up. That's where we'll start with the evolution of modern car
technologies as we know them.

1990: Built-In Satellite Navigation

We take a GPS based navigation for granted now, but once upon a
time, people had to use paper maps and written directions. Then
companies started playing with navigation systems in cars, which
were problematic for several reasons, mainly in being able to pinpoint
the car's location accurately. The first GPS navigation system in a US
car came from Oldsmobile and was a $1,995 option in 1995.

1996: Connected Cars

The first OnStar telematics systems could call emergency services if
an airbag deployed, and was first fitted to the Cadillac Eldorado,
DeVille, and Seville. Over time, the ability to add GPS locations and
the ability to transmit voice and data at the same time evolved.

1998: Color Head-Up Display

The first automotive head-up display appeared on the Oldsmobile
Cutlass Supreme Indy Pace Cars and replicas in 1998. They became
more widely available, and Toyota and Nissan started offering them
on select models, most notably the Nissan 240SX. They've now
become a common option for cars, and many automakers make them
standard on higher trims. Most HUD systems use color to draw the
eye to pertinent information, but the first car to offer a color head-up
display was the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette.

1999: Laser Adaptive Cruise Control

Mercedes has a long list of technology it has brought to market before
anyone else, often in its most premium of premium models. Mercedes
introduced its Distronic system in 1999 on the S-Class and CL as the
first radar-assisted Autonomous cruise control system available
worldwide. Its impact reverberates still as autonomous vehicle
technology slowly creeps forward.
2000/2001: Bluetooth
A Bluetooth connection to our cellphones is something we take for
granted in 2020, and it's rare for a car to be sold without Bluetooth
technology as standard. History is a little hazy about which
manufacturer offered it from the factory first as Chrysler saw it as a
great idea early on, but it's likely the Acura TL was the first car to be
offered in the US with the technology equipped.

2001: Modern Infotainment System

BMW introduced its iDrive system to the 7 Series in 2001; it featured
a prominent screen that was controlled by a central knob and meant
fewer buttons on the dashboard. At that time, Popular Mechanics
wrote that the touchscreen "violates the First Commandment of
ergonomics - you must take your eyes off the road to make any
adjustments." 21 years later, after the release of the first Apple iPhone
in 2007, we saw the big move to touchscreen systems in cars.

2002: Parking Camera

Volvo also toyed with the idea in 1972 Volvo Experimental Safety
Car, but it didn't make it into production for some time. The first
production car with a rear camera was the Japanese market 1991
Toyota Soarer Limited, but not the US market's Lexus SC equivalent.
Nissan also used the 2002 Nissan Primera to introduce the technology
outside of the US and Japan. Legislation introduced in 2018 has
subsequently made the humble reverse camera standard in all modern
cars.
2004: Remote Start
Remote start technology had been available via the aftermarket for
years before 2004, but that was the year GM decided to make the
technology available direct from the factory. It has become an
incredibly valuable feature for people living in climates with
particularly hot or cold weather, allowing them to start the car and let
it cool down or warm up before even leaving the house.

2006: Self-Parking Car

Lexus showed the world the first self-parking production car; the
2006 LS 460 sedan was unveiled at the Detroit International Auto
Show, and the technology blew people away. To activate it, the driver
had to put the car in reverse, which enabled the rearview camera, then
press the parallel park icon on the touchscreen to place an indicator
square over the parking space they wanted to use.

2007: Blind Spot Monitoring

Volvo developed its Blind Spot Information System and included it
on its 2007 S80 sedan, which created a visible alert for the driver
when changing lanes with another car present. Mazda then used a
similar system for its 2008 Mazda CX-9, but only in Grand Touring
trim. In 2013, Mazda started making it more available through its
range, and other companies followed suit.

2007: LED Headlights

LED headlights, however, strike an excellent balance, and give bright
white light, light up faster than halogen, are energy-efficient, and have
a long operating life. They're also easy to package as they use small
bulbs and allow automakers to get creative with lighting designs.
The Cadillac Escalade featured low and high beams powered by
LEDs in 2009, but it wasn't until the current-generation Mercedes S-
Class that we saw the first car to use exclusively LED lighting, both
inside and out.

2009: Smart Phone Connected Cars

In 2009, Mercedes launched the first iteration of its 'mbrace' app to
allow remote access to owner's vehicles from their smartphone. It
worked with iPhone and Blackberry and allowed remote door locking
and unlocking as well as vehicle location. Since then, apps from
automakers have increased in scope to include everything including
diagnostics, checking the fuel level, the vehicle's location, remote
start, and even booking service appointments.

2012: First License For Autonomous Cars

The Toyota Prius was issued its license in Nevada and opened the
gates to testing autonomous systems. In 2014, Tesla then dropped its
first iteration of Autopilot for existing owners as the first
commercially available system that can steer the car without input
from the driver and change lanes on the motorway.

2014: Apple CarPlay

Apple's CarPlay came to market in 2014, closely followed by Android
Auto, to change that. Both Apple and Google lead the way with their
voice control and navigation, and the systems use popular travel and
music apps, integrating everyday life with the car, and ensuring that a
car's tech is never further behind than your easily-upgradable
smartphone.

2018: Phone As Key

It seems incredible that it took so long, but Tesla introduced its
customers to using a cellphone to replace the remote key fob in 2018.
Model 3's were able to sense the driver's phone from up to 30 feet
away and unlock the doors. There have been security and safety
concerns, which is why the more traditional automakers have been
slow to follow, but soon, this tech will be the go-to choice.
This brings us to modern-day cars with Bluetooth, hard drives,
advanced safety systems, GPS, WiFi, and even the ability to parallel
park themselves. It seems crazy, but it’s true. In this age, cars come
standard with features that were once a luxury (or didn’t even exist at
all). And driverless cars that once seemed like something out of a
science fiction film are close to being a reality. It’s amazing to think
how far cars have come and where the technology will go down the
road.

With technology advancing, it's more important than ever to keep up

with on-road driving techniques to keep those around you safe at all
times. Check out our defensive driving course for more information
on how to learn the latest best practices online.
 Upcoming technological advancements
in Automobile Industry

The Indian automotive sector is standing at the cusp of transformation

and upgradation. In the future, vehicles will depend upon a number of
apps and other devices to function efficiently. Here, data will also
play an essential role in many ways. For example, selecting a suitable
route to reach a defined destination basis real-time data. Let us look at
some of the innovations in the automotive sector under process:

Electric vehicles
With help from technology intervention, the emergence of electric
vehicles are winning over the world as they’re not only people
friendly but also environment-friendly. Collectively, consumers
across the globe are transforming and are more willing to use products
that have minimal or no harmful impact on the environment. In this
regard, the automobile industry is geared up to expand the production
of electric vehicles to reduce the usage of fossil-based and non-
renewable fuels.

AI and ML

The possibilities of deploying AI and ML in the automobile sector is

one of the trending discussions. Mostly, because it will allow the
players to automate various functions of their vehicles, further, AI and
ML will play a vital role in deepening the connection between the use
and his/her car. Users can quickly check their engine’s status, monitor
temperature, and also turn their vehicles into a connected alarm
mechanism. Any future challenge in the vehicle can be observed and
fixed in time.

Improved interface

The third-party players, such as Google, are already working on

systems to enhance users’ experience of smart cars. Android Auto has
already been developed that allow users to stay connected while
driving and also perform various functions via voice command. While
it is at a nascent stage, but the possibilities here are infinite, and we
can expect the launch of several robust systems to enrich driving
experiences.

Enhanced safety and security

While the concept of AI in the automobile industry supplies us with

the exciting future of self-driving cars, it also promises enhanced
safety and security of the users. In reality, we may first experience the
autonomous vehicles in the commercial segment before coming face
to face with self-driven cars on the road. As a first move towards the
adoption of autonomous vehicles, the government of India has made it
mandatory to install ADAS in all the new cars and other vehicles to
be sold by 2022. ADAS stands for the Advanced Driver Assistance
System and is an essential part of autonomous vehicles to promote
safety. The system helps detect objects such as other vehicles and
pedestrians and avoid a collision without manual intervention.

Real-time data and predictive analytics

With IoT-enabled technologies, vehicles will be able to access real-

time data in massive quantities and also present a comprehensive
analysis of the same for its users. From communicating simple
information of traffic jams to sending an SOS to the concerned
service provider in case of an emergency, vehicles will supply all the
relevant data and information to save time and drive better.

Managing testing and measurement

With increased dispersion of technology, consumer demands, and

high industry competition, the gestation period of introducing
innovative concepts in the automotive industry is reducing drastically.
This puts the test and measurement teams under immense pressure to
align their processes as per the renewed goals and also impacts the
budget allocated for testing. However, the companies can now save
their up-front cost of acquiring equipment with help from third-party
solution providers. Due to various benefits and flexibility offered in
terms of short-term renting, long-term renting, and other types of
schemes on testing equipment, various auto firms are already reaping
the benefits of such services. In terms of testing, the auto firms are
readily adopting a new mantra of “renting is new buying.”

Fuel efficiency

Tesla, an American electric vehicle and clean energy company based

in Palo Alto, California, has been producing hybrid and electric cars
that come with top-notch fuel efficiency. You have to charge your
vehicle for once, and you are ready to have a ride for hundreds of
miles. Companies have sold more than two million electric vehicles,
and the numbers are rising as the demand for this type of vehicle is
increasing every single day. Big fishes like Volvo, General Motors,
and Volkswagen have already started producing electric vehicles, and
these vehicles are showing promise over the long haul.
Autonomous Driving
Self-driving technology is another future of technology in the
automotive industry as most companies are trying out this feature in
their vehicles on open roads currently. Though we are so far away
from this top-notch technology, we are likely to see new
advancements regarding this feature in the near future. However,
there are similar technologies that are grabbing attention in many cars
already, such as mapping technology, automatic-braking sensors,
adaptive cruise control, motorway lane sensors, self-parking abilities,
etc. These are known as driver-assisted technologies.

Google has already shown its magic with the invention of the self-
driving pod called Waymo. On the other hand, Local Motors, an
American motor vehicle manufacturing company, has also invented
an autonomous vehicle. Ford is also planning to show their expertise
in the industry by 2021. Not too far, right? If you are going to buy a
previously registered self-driving car, it is recommended to check the
history, which means the vehicle is finance free and has no
encumbrance record in the revs check system.

Additive Manufacturing

3D printing helps the automotive industry in three primary ways.

Firstly, it enables rapid prototyping with 3D printed models that
accelerate the design and testing phases of production. Secondly, it
allows manufacturers to print spare parts to match their requirements.
Lastly, additive manufacturing of composite materials leads to
automotive parts that are lighter, stronger, and more durable.

Swiss start up 9T Labs employs additive manufacturing to produce

carbon composites for use in the automotive industry. The start up’s
design software Fibrify optimizes fiber placement and automates
equipment production with additive fusion technology to mass-
produce carbon fiber products. The 3D printed composites are more
affordable, lightweight, dimensionally stable, corrosion-resistant, and
also offer increased strength and stiffness.

Italian start up Moi combines thermosetting composite materials and

3D printing to manufacture high-performance parts for the automotive
industry. Moi uses continuous fiber manufacturing (CFM)
technology, robotic intelligence, and digital fabrication to deposit
fibers. As a result, the solution is easily scalable for producing
composites for panels, frames, and interior components. The start up
also serves other industries, such as aerospace, construction, and
biomedical.

Human machine interface

As self-driving cars and connected cars transform the automotive
landscape, it will fundamentally change how drivers interact with
vehicles. Human-machine interfaces (HMI) use voice-based or haptic
feedback to operate vehicles. These expand the scope of how and
what aspects of a car that users control. Consequently, such interfaces
make the driving experience safer and more enjoyable. Another form
of HMI includes smart virtual assistants who help drivers and riders
interact with the vehicles and other service providers.

The US-based startup Awayr develops human-machine interfaces for

vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and robots. The startup
works with automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to
decrease HMI development cycle time and enhance the safety of
interfaces. Awayr also builds solutions to manage driver attention in
unconventional situations, such as autonomous vehicles that may
occasionally need human intervention.

German startup Apostera offers an advanced driver-assistance system

(ADAS). The startup’s platform combines augmented reality (AR),
smart camera, and surround-view monitoring to illuminate the route
on turns, curves, slopes as well as complex junctions.
Fully active suspension

“You’ll be able to do so much more during your commute when

vehicles are autonomous, like read, watch TV, and work!”

Well, not if you get motion sickness in vehicles. Companies like Clear
Motion, born out of the speaker company Bose, are solving this
problem. They are taking a proactive approach to suspension, by
predicting road disturbances and adjusting the suspension in
anticipation of them.

This follows a principle called “skyhook theorum,” where vehicles

will ride as if they’re airplanes. This will allow us to travel in extreme
comfort. Companies like Mercedes and Audi have developed active
suspension components, like “Active Body Control,” but these are not
quite fully active.

“Fully active” entails using linear actuators, rather than solely springs
and dampers, for suspension. This requires significant computation
power and electrical energy to predict and adjust the actuated
suspension and has traditionally been deemed impractical.
Sensors for perception

Cars today “see” the road around them to accomplish various tasks.
From backup cameras, parallel parking sensors, adaptive cruise
control, and automatic emergency braking; all these capabilities rely
on the vehicle perceiving the world. Perception sensors fall into
roughly four cases: Cameras, LiDAR, Radar, and ultrasonic sensors.

Camera technology continues to improve. Cameras are getting

smaller, faster, higher performance, and less expensive. But only
recently have camera processing units been able to decipher 3D
images from camera. This technology could be very useful in vehicles,
for things like detecting curbs and potholes.

DeepRay has even created a technology that allows vehicles to see in

rain and snow, through the use of AI to “reconstruct footage from
damaged or obscured frames in real-time.

LiDAR sensors have been in the news plenty lately. Here’s a great
Market overview of LiDAR companies. In short, everyone’s looking
to make the perfect LiDAR sensor: one that can see 200 meters up to
an inch precision, use only 100 mW of power, and costs less than
$500. Most companies working on LiDAR are investing in “solid
state” LiDAR technology that has no moving parts. Some companies
are even working on a LiDAR sensor that can determine the velocity
of the object it detects. This is sometimes referred to as “4D LiDAR,”
or “FMCW” LiDAR, and one company, Aeva, recently raised a $45M
series A to develop this technology.

Automotive Radar has been around for quite some time and is often
used for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Radar is
advantageous as a vehicle sensor since it is low cost and
computationally simpler than other sensors. The big trend we will see
in the coming years is the widespread adoption of automotive radar,
since the Euro-NCAP ratings now require automated braking and
pedestrian safety functionality, and radar is a good fit for this
capability.

Companies will continue to develop software that “fuses” these

different sources of visual data and “categorizes” the objects it detects.
That categorization will be able to localize those objects and predict
where they will go next. This is key for autonomous vehicle safety.
We will see huge advancements in this capability from companies like
Waymo, Cruise, Aptiv, Apple, and many others.
 Conclusion & future enhancements

The automobiles have come a long way since their creation. Many
automobile manufacturers have taken up advanced technologies right
from car design through to sales and marketing and also servicing.
The new technologies have been designed to add more convenience
and improve the customer’s experience. Here, we shall review the
impact of technology in the automobile industry.

In the past, we used to have dealers and appointed retail outlets

serving car owners from the brick mortar shops. However, with
technology we now have the online dealership and retail outlets
selling spare parts for the vehicles. This is all as a result of technology
as we have internet connection in most parts of the world. For
instance, if you are looking for pioneer head unit, you can easily find
the part online from the comfort of your living room. This adds great
convenience and better customer experience as you don’t have to
drive around looking for another auto parts.

Automobile manufacturing is much easier today as car makers use the

robots in the manufacturing of vehicles. This has helped to cut down
the cost of production for automobiles while at the same time helping
to increase production volume. Therefore, automakers are able to
meet demand and at the same time satisfy the customer expectations.
The use of technology is also extended in parts manufacturing. As a
result, customers are able to get the replacement parts promptly.

Buying a modern vehicle today comes with a better driving

experience today. The intelligence added to the vehicles is also
important in ensuring security for the road users. For instance, with
obstacle detection technology, drivers are able to avoid causing
accidents that would damage their cars or even lead to death in some
cases. This is a feature that is improving day by day as we see
intelligent self-driven vehicles being assembled.

If you purchase a vehicle from one state and your intent to use it in a
different state or continent for that matter, you don’t have to keep
taking it to the dealers shop to have it checked. You can simply
connect to the car maker through modern technology and have them
help you out remotely. This type of technology helps in adding
customer loyalty as they are able to seek assistance from anywhere
across the globe.

The self-driven vehicles is now becoming a reality in various parts of

the world. Though still at the development stage, we are set to see
these cars being used across the world. These will add more
convenience and at the same time we expect them to make the
transportation sector much more profitable. The cause of concern has
been around the risk aspect of self-driven cars, but this is going to be
addressed though the technology.

Technology will continue changing the way we do things. As we have

seen, the automobile industry is one of the top beneficiaries when it
comes to technology.