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 << Back to Page 1 SAFETY Passenger safety is already a priority for modern day car manufacturers and this will only increase in importance in the future. The widespread use of airbags will increase; the side impact protection airbags featured in some models have proved to be extremely effective in saving lives, and more research and better positioning will continue to improve their performance and reliability. Airbags at the moment can only be deployed once, so that in a multiple collision crash their effectiveness is voided after the first impact. Future airbag systems, though, may take this into consideration and incorporate multiple single-use airbags in one position or reusable airbags that can be inflated several times. Some manufacturers use a moving headrest in some high-spec models. These move forward during a collision to stop the head snapping back quite so far and reducing the chance of spinal injury. It has been found that a vehicle's bumper height is a very important factor when it comes to safety during a collision. If a vehicle has bumper that is too high, it can override the bumper of the other vehicle and plough directly into the passenger compartment putting the occupants at severe risk. Accidents like this usually occur when an average-size car collides with a truck or SUV. This mismatch can be avoided by having adjustable ride heights on the larger vehicles. When they are on a smooth road, lowering the vehicle to a suitable height would reduce the dangers normally associated with these sorts of collision. As a byproduct, this would also reduce the top heavy nature of trucks and SUVs and rollover accidents could be avoided. Sensors will be increasingly responsible for predicting and safeguarding against avoidable accidents. Sensors will monitor the road surface scanning for black ice and hazardous conditions. This information will then be displayed to the driver and the vehicle may take appropriate steps to improve traction, thus reducing the chance of an accident. The information gathered may also be relayed to a central road monitoring network that can inform other motorists of changing weather conditions — in effect, every vehicle would become a roving weather station. Sensors could also monitor the car's position on the road and, if the vehicle is found to be straying from the road or traffic lane, an alarm would sound. This feature is already found on the Citroen C4, amongst others. Sensors could also monitor the driver's well-being: imaging sensors would track eye movement and if the eyes close for more than a few seconds an alarm would sound to alert the driver. Audi uses sensors on its new A6, which monitor for wet conditions. If found, the BOSCH brakes are applied intermittently to wipe off the water and ensure good contact when they are needed. The pressure applied in this process is so slight the driver does not notice. Improved night vision and spatial awareness would help cut down on night time crashes, which account for half the road-related fatalities each year - even though only a quarter of all driving occurs at night. Cadillac already includes infrared night vision as an option on some of its more desirable models. Infrared vision does not see light, it sees heat and the warmer an object, the more it stands out on the screen. The screen is a heads-up display projected onto the windscreen in front of the driver's line of sight, allowing the driver to see the real world and also the digital projection. Honda has a similar system, with the added ability to identify objects and pick out pedestrians and to highlight those which are likely to step into the vehicle's path and then emit an audible warning. NEW COMPOSITE MATERIALS New materials are constantly being brought into the automotive field. In 2005, Chrysler Daimler began using biological composite materials made from coconut, sisal, jute and other plants. This biological material is used mostly on the interior of the car and finds its way into seat cushions, seat backs, underfloor body panels and interior door panels. One of the benefits of using these biological compounds is that they can be recycled and reused and the manufacturing process involved is far more environmentally friendly than that of conventional synthetic compounds. Ceramics first used in braking by Porsche are becoming increasingly popular, although still very expensive - limiting them to exclusive vehicles. The benefits of using ceramics is their high tolerance to intense heat, making them suitable for high performance vehicles, and where the heavy use of the brakes is needed regularly. Their ability to perform under these extremes helps reduce the brake fade associated with high temperatures. Materials such as fiberglass, carbon fibre and carbon kevlar first used on race cars and famed for their high strength and lightweight properties have now filtered down to the production car level, mainly in high-end vehicles. But in due time these composites will begin to appear in the average car, cutting weight and increasing fuel economy whilst maintaining structural rigidity. EXTERIOR DESIGN In the future car, designers will have to explore new themes and find alternative influences for their designs. In an effort to catch people's eyes the designs will have to be increasingly bold and brash often sacrificing the aesthetic balance of the design in attempt to be different in an increasingly 'done before' market. This is not to say all designs are going to be hideous — just some. Another influence to exterior design will result from laws: stricter pedestrian protection laws are enforced requiring the front ends of cars to be 'softer'. This thinking has already been introduced on some models. Overall, though, it is difficult to project how this will ultimately affect the face of car design. With the increased use of alternative fuel sources such as the hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen combustion engine, vehicle bodies may begin reflecting the green nature of their power. However I believe this to be a mistake. The Honda Insight Hybrid might have been more of a success had it not been utterly repulsive. People were already wary of its power source and to then make them vomit in disgust at its styling is just not intelligent. Why do all the eco-friendly cars look like a 60's psychedelic nightmare? Why can't they just look like a decent concept car with an alternative engine? Things seem to be improving however and BMW's H2R is an undeniably stunning vehicle, if somewhat impractical. And hybrid technology is finding its way into mainstream prodution vehicles as an optional power source. See: History of car design from the 1950s to present day INTERIOR DESIGN The interior of vehicles will also change, becoming more user friendly and personalised. Ergonomically positioned controls and lumbar support seats with adjustable everything will come as standard to increase driver and passenger comfort and reduce chronic pain and discomfort. Customisable and personalised interior space will also become desirable features on the future automobile. Just as you swap mobile phone covers, an entire dash could be swapped to match your mood. If you're a little bigger than average, why not fit an XXL seat in two easy steps? The possibilities will be endless in order to cater for an increasingly demanding consumer. ENGINE Alternative energy sources are becoming ever more popular. Government incentives will eventually force all but the super rich into environmentally friendly cars. No problem. By then fuel cell cars will be just as rapid as their fossil fuel counterparts but with none of the stench. However it may take some convincing to get a 'petrol head' to put down his piston and pick up a proton exchange membrane cathode. It's just not the same, is it? Eventually, modern conventional fuel cars will become classics and extremely sought after by collectors — but not for a long time yet. Back to page 1 >> INTRODUCTION - COMPUTERS - ANTI THEFT - ENTRY - MEDIA SYSTEMS   Furthur Information on: sports cars and supercars rare and classic sports cars more concept cars Read about the future of the automobile |