Tag Archives: Automobile Technology

Advancements In Auto Headlight Technology

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The first automobile headlamp was introduced in the 1880’s. It used burning acetylene or oil because the flame was resistant to wind and rain. By the early 1940’s, the first round sealed beam headlamp was introduced and soon became a requirement for all vehicles sold in the United States. Since then the shape has changed, there has been the invention of replaceable bulb construction, halogen infrared reflective (HIR) lighting, and high intensity discharge (HID) lighting. For most, automobile headlamps did not offer much excitement, Until Now!

In 2004, Lexus introduced the first light emitting diodes (LEDs) headlight. The LED not only offered a fascinating assortments of tiny bright light sources, but can be used for multiple functions, such as parking lamps, brake lamps, and turn signals. This allows automobile manufacturers develop headlights that fit in with the sleek futuristic design of today’s vehicles. They also offer lower power consumption and a longer lifespan.

The biggest innovation to come with LED headlamps is the ability to allow automatic headlamp systems. Automatic headlamps have been available since the mid 1960’s, but until now, have only been offered on luxury models. These systems can optimize the headlight beam to the vehicles steering and suspension, as well as weather, visibility, vehicle speed, and road curvature and contour. The driver no longer needs to activate the correct beam for driving conditions because everything is done automatically, allowing the driver to focus on the road.

LED’s have had a dramatic aesthetic impact on vehicle lighting. They can be arranged in countless configurations and combined with reflectors and filters to produce awe inspiring effects. Because they are now manufactured in large quantities they can be found on both inexpensive and luxury vehicles, and are expected to eventually surpass the use of HID headlamps.

New Generation Automobile Buyers

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A trend in the automobile industry shows that the younger generation is not as interested in driving as the generation before. Not only are they buying fewer vehicles, but many don’t even have drivers license. Some reasons for this change include:

  • The younger generation are more connected through internet and iPhones making them less reliant on owning transportation.
  • Many live in urban areas where everything is at a walking distance, there is good public transportation or they have access to car sharing programs.
  • Young people are facing soaring tuition costs, and the money they’re earning in their part-time, summer and first jobs is going toward paying for school and rent. Even if they could afford to buy a car, insurance is expensive and gas prices keep rising.
  • They have grown up in an era where they have had much more exposure to environmental concerns.

Automakers have known for a while that they were going to have a problem selling vehicles to this generation but are unwilling to believe that they will not want actual cars. As a result, automakers spend more time talking about how well their cars interact with an iPhone than they do about engine performance, ride, and horsepower. Technology such as voice recognition are important to many of the younger drivers because it allows them to safely drive while still staying connected.

They are trying to attract the younger urban buyer by developing a fashionable small car that is easy to park and uses less fuel. Car makers have begun shrinking the size of engines, subtracting cylinders while adding turbochargers to maintain horsepower and acceleration. Smaller engines have become a selling point even in the United States, which would have been unthinkable a few years ago. The idea of electric vehicles has also become more widely accepted.

As these technologies become more common they will also become more affordable, hopefully attracting more buyers. While today’s young buyer seems more open toward the trend of smaller autos with more features, car makers have not abandoned the hope that as this generation gets older and becomes parents they will graduate towards roomier vehicles.

Powering EVs With Lithium-Air Batteries

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Consumers who are thinking of purchasing an electric car are usually deterred by the range of the lithium-ion battery used as the power source. Concerns about range, life expectancy, and the ability to find a charging station usually results in the consumer purchasing the vehicle with the technology they are familiar with, the combustion engine. Researchers are hoping to change consumers attitude toward electric vehicles with a new electrochemical cell called the lithium-air battery.

Lithium-air batteries are attractive to researchers because they rely on air as the cathode and lithium metal as the anode. This allows the battery to be lighter and can offer up to ten times more energy per density mass unit than conventional lithium-ion batteries. The first lithium-air battery was developed in the mid 1990’s but the technology still requires improvements before we can expect to see it used commercially.

  • The battery requires a steady flow of oxygen to operate, so an air compressor and blower will need to be added to the system. This not only negates the weight reduced on the battery, but adds extra parts to the system.
  • Lithium metal is highly flammable when exposed to water, so water vapor must be removed from the air and a water tight encasing is required.

Despite recent significant improvements in the technology, researchers say we are still 15 to 20 years from seeing it offered to the public. Once the battery has been approved a long term array of testing is required to make sure the battery can be used safely.