Revolutionary Technology in the Automotive Industry

The automotive industry is slowly becoming unrecognizable now in comparison to how it was when it first started. It was born in the 1860s as manufacturers created the horseless carriage. For decades to come, the US pioneered the way in automotive production and by the year 1929, there were over 32 million automobiles in use around the world with 90 percent of them being produced in America. Over the decades the numbers grew and grew, with the number of automobiles expanding exponentially. Now, in the year 2022, there are around 1.446 billion cars in the world, and the demand for vehicle production continues to grow. As the demand expands, so does the increase in innovative technology that is transforming the industry. Technology is changing the way vehicles are designed, manufactured, or even driven. In this article, we will consider some of the fantastic technologies revolutionizing the automotive industry.

Technology in the Automotive Industry

Technology is changing everything, and the automotive industry is no different. From the way vehicles are designed and manufactured, to the way drivers can use them, technology is having a transformative effect. The vehicle fleet industry is particularly benefiting from the new technologies that are available, as customer expectations are growing, and technology needs to adapt in order to support it. While the technology is revolutionary, its implementation of it is slowly starting a process of evolution in the industry. Here are seven major technologies making vast changes in the field of automotive vehicles. 

1. Artificial Intelligence.

AI is a big topic at the moment, changing and updating almost every industry. These technologies, like machine learning and computer vision, can guide self-driving cars, manage and monitor fleets of vehicles, help drivers to navigate more safely, and assist in the inspection and insuring of vehicles. The rate of production is increased, and costs are reduced with the addition of artificial intelligence.

2. Electrification of Vehicles.

In an effort to conserve fossil fuels and the harm they cause to the planet, many manufacturers are beginning to design and promote the use of electric vehicles. There are various aspects involved in the use of electric vehicles. In the early days, the expense was high, batteries were poor, and the infrastructure was limited. As these improve, the uptake of electric vehicles is sure to follow. 

3. 3D Printing

3D printing technology is changing and helping the industry in a few distinct ways. 3D-printed automotive parts are revolutionizing the design and testing phases of prototype production. Manufacturers can quickly produce spare parts in line with their own specific requirements and the parts created are stronger and yet lighter, proving to be more durable than other parts. 

4. Self-Driving/Autonomous Vehicles

Self-driving cars may seem like an idea of the future, but they are becoming a reality right now. They reduce the need for human drivers, and it seems as if they are on the brink of transforming transportation as we know it. Deliveries can be expanded by fleets of autonomous vehicles. Downtime is reduced and public transportation is made safer for passengers and other travelers. Without a human driver, the dangers that come from human errors are removed, such as those that come from drivers acting in a negligent way or driving when they are tired and less able to react. The technology behind this innovation is advancing all the time and is becoming safer by the day.

5. Connecting Networks of Vehicles

When a fleet of vehicles is working together, they use digital identity technology so as to easily track individual vehicle data. This valuable information helps when it comes to insurance, the safety of the driver, and the management of the entire fleet. Being able to share the data of the vehicle is useful for the customer and also improves the whole system. 

6. Valuable Data and Information

In order to make informed decisions through the lifecycle of vehicles in a fleet, data can be gathered so that managers know about the condition of the vehicle and when to schedule maintenance. When customers also have access to vehicle data, it helps to improve sales and the supply chain. Manufacturers can use valuable data in order to improve the designs and capabilities of future vehicles. With helpful technology to gather, assess and display valuable data, it helps all involved and the automotive industry can continue to grow and improve. 

7. Human to Machine Interfaces (HMI)

The growth of self-driving vehicles and connected cars, it is created changes in the way that vehicles and drivers interact. Human-machine interfaces (known as HMI) use voice or haptic feedback to have certain controls in the car. This makes the driving experience more enjoyable, and safer as things can be done hands-free. Some modern vehicles even include virtual assistants that can help drivers to interact with other road users and get help from other service providers. 

The Takeaway

Since the industry of automobiles first joined the mainstream markets of the world, technology has been a key part of it. In order to stay ahead of the game, beat the competition, and support modern people in their modern lives, it has been essential that the industry uses the best technology. Trends in technology are helping both manufacturers and drivers to rethink vehicle usage and design. These technologies are strengthening and bolstering the use and development of modern transportation. With the aim of making transportation safer to use for both road users and the planet, recent innovations are rapidly improving vehicles and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Some meet this change with pessimism and skepticism, struggling to put their trust in technology that they are not comfortable with. However, for manufacturers to remain profitable, they need to embrace these changes and use the technology available. And for drivers and road users, the changes are inevitable. With a little more knowledge and experience, drivers will begin to trust the tech and wonder how they ever managed without it!