Since the early years, the automobile industry had experienced many changes, especially technologically and mode of production. In 1895, there were only four registered vehicles in America. However, due to technological advancement the number has increased tremendously to 250 million vehicles. These include SUVs, trucks and cars. The existing main automobile companies in the American Society include General Motors, Olds Motor Company, Ford, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Stanly Steamer, Oakland Motor Car, and Pierce Arrow among others (ABR Staff Writer). The Ford Motor Company is among the flourishing companies and participator of the establishment and development of automobile in America.
While automobile is a growing commodity in the American Market, it is enormously complex and technically sophisticated product. The automobile industry in America has adopted a new and improved state-of-the-art technological processes and methods. In additional, the suppliers in this business are step ahead in ensuring that they are efficient in supplying components required for the production of the motor vehicles (The library of Congress). The modern technology applied in this industry includes supercomputing, programmable achiness and tools, Near-Net Castry, complex visualizing techniques and virtual manufacturing, high speed data management and data communication, and advanced foreign techniques. For instance, Ford is increasing virtual crash computing power by 50 percent to improve customer safety.
According to the research carried out by the American automobile industry, 90 percent of the road accidents are because of the driver errors. Therefore, the industry has developed a range of the driver support systems that include automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, telematics controls systems, and blind spot and lane departure warning. Alert and warning systems alert the driver by vibrating the steering wheel or sound alarms. The driver is also assisted by the night vision and cameras to be in a position to manage all sorts of situations.
The automobile in America has utilized a range of high-tech technologies to increase the driver assist systems. For example, in order to measure the distances between objects, the ultrasonic sensors are developed with high frequencies. The radars are used to define the objects that are ahead of the vehicles, through by sending and receiving radio waves, and then determine the difference between the two. Lidar, on the other hand, uses cameras and sensors to create a 3-dimension view of the vehicles surrounding.
In addition, the automakers are applying nanomaterial and nanotechnology to increase the production and performance of the modern cars. Since 1990s, some of the automobile companies have use Conductive Carbon Nanotube composite material, while others have been applying Nano-composite materials in bumpers to make vehicles 60% lighter. Today, the automakers are researching on the use of Nano-cellulose material, which is lighter and cost efficient (College Board). These technologies are anticipated to increase the production of the vehicles due to lower cost and more fuel-efficient than recent days. Some of the nanomaterials used in the automotive industry include anti-fog coating for windshields and headlights, car coating that is scratch resistance and enhanced glass, and tires strengthened with nanoparticles to improve abrasion resistance. Other simple but advanced materials in the automotive industry include grapheme, aerogel and smartphone glass.
With this invention, distribution and production, automobile have radically transformed the lives of the American society in the 20th century. This has gone to the extent that some of the historians have associated United State as a “car culture." The automotive industry in America continues to thrive bringing new technologies that are entertaining, safety, and simple for pure innovation.
Works Cited
ABR Staff Writer. "Ford increases virtual crash computing power to ensure customer safety - Automotive Business Review." Automobile Technology Industry News - Technology - Automotive Business Review. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.
The library of Congress. "BERA: Issue 2 Automotive Industry: Automobile Manufacturing." Library of Congress Home | Library of Congress. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.
