Unique and Custom Innovations for Automotive Industry
The automotive industry is one that drives innovation. As new technologies emerge, ways to make cars smarter, more sustainable, and more modern are developed. All car manufacturers are interested in bringing the next evolution, as this competitive industry is unforgiving with those that lag behind the rest. This is why it is common to see household brands introducing new features and investing heavily in research that allows them to develop the next innovation. Also, with the general public wanting each experience to be more personalized than ever before, focus on custom innovations has steadily grown to meet the needs of the customers. Here are some of the most unique innovations that have been recently developed or are in the process of coming to fruition.
AR Dashboards
This next one almost looks like something out of a sci-fi movie and it is because the visual component is impossible to ignore. Augmented reality (AR) dashboards are here for those interested in the most modern-looking vehicle. The information that would normally be found on the dashboard such as speed, gas levels, and alarms will now be more interactive than ever. Furthermore, developers want to incorporate additional features that would increase safety. These would include information about cars that are getting too close as well as obstacles on the road.
Alternative Tires
This might sound like a wild idea but it is both an innovation and a solution to a larger problem. Finding a way to reinvent the wheel has been a main thought in the minds of numerous developers. With an increased interest in sustainability, developments in custom tires and custom wheels manufacturing could take things to a new level by changing the materials used for tire design. Plant-based rubber could be the substitution to synthetic materials that are more harmful to the environment than this alternative.
Some companies are focusing on using Guayule, which is a plant that grows in both the United States and Mexico. If sourced sustainably, the world could be saying goodbye to synthetic rubber for good.
Another innovative design is the 3D-printed wheel. This is created with a mesh of recycled plastic with a design inspired by the conformation of corals. If successful, this could be another alternative to provide to those interested in combating global warming with a sustainable option to adopt.
Carbon Fiber SUV
An exciting new proposition is the development of carbon fiber SUVs. This advanced reinforcement can make luxury SUVs even more secure. Plus, this added strength makes it an overall sturdier and more stable vehicle, less prone to suffer great damages if an accident were to take place.
Another plus of this modern design is that speed does not have to suffer for it due to the lightness of this material. Furthermore, it provides a great edgy look that few vehicles can achieve.
Other options imply a combination of both old and new. Even though aluminum is the main metal used for vehicle manufacturing, it has been proposed that a mixture of aluminum and carbon fibers could bring the next stage in car design. A design using both aluminum and carbon fiber could decrease emissions in the manufacturing process while lowering costs when compared to the making of an entirely metallic car body. While this might not be apt for all vehicles, sports cars appear to be the main target of developers in this area.
Connectivity
In a world of wearables, every aspect of a person’s life can be connected and vehicles do not need to be the exception. Newer vehicles have their own digital identity, which becomes equivalent to an IP address on a computer, making it unique. All the information gathered by digital services can help the driver in car maintenance and even to deal with insurance matters. This is why different companies are focusing on leveraging this to improve connectivity. Some projects include the digitization of road infrastructure, which would connect with vehicles and provide pertinent information about traffic and other subjects. These endeavors are under the umbrella of smart mobility.
Smart Lights
Speaking of smart, smart lights could be one of the new custom innovations to take over the automotive industry. This technology would use eye-tracking to determine where the headlight beams of a car are directed. Simply, the lights will aim for wherever the driver is looking at. Besides, the intensity of the beam can also be modified. Overall, the technology uses a camera, photodiodes, and infrared sensors. Driving does not get more personalized than this.
3D Fabrics
3D printing has more to offer than modern tires; a new development that could provide an even more customized ride is a textile that works both as vibration and sound buffer. This means that rides can now be smoother than ever thanks to 3D-woven fabrics. There are additional benefits including the fact that this fabric is much lighter than traditional ones. This is an innovation that continues to be developed and tests in commercial settings are needed before it can be sold to those interested in a smoother ride.
Automated Parking
While automated parking is not necessarily new, different companies are focusing on innovating and improving this concept. Numerous accidents take place in crowded parking lots, and a safer adoption of automated parking could make a huge impact. If the new technology is developed as it is expected to, then owners will be able to simply leave their vehicles at the entrance of the parking lot and the vehicle would drive itself to the corresponding parking spot. It does not get any easier than that. This will be especially appreciated by anxious and novice drivers, although people that enjoy more control will probably skip this one.
This is only a small show of the many technologies that are inundating the automotive industry. Some are more functional than others, but any of them will make anyone feel that their car is truly one of a kind.
