Automotive Industry Trends
November 2004
Areas of Automotive Innovation
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Today’s most exciting automotive electronics innovations are happening in three areas: environmental controls, powertrain, and navigation.
Environmental controls
Environmental controls include climate control as well as audio and video systems, all of which create a comfortable driving environment. One such novelty that is growing in acceptance is satellite radio. XM Radio, a satellite broadcaster, adds more than 110,000 new subscribers every month, and expects to have 2.8 million subscribers by the end of 2004.
Advances in sensor technology have moved climate control beyond just heating and cooling. Some vehicles have odor detection sensors, shutting off the fresh air vent when certain fumes are present, keeping the enclosed space of the vehicle neutral. Rain sensors on the windshield detect changes in the amount of rain, speeding up or slowing down the wipers without input from the driver. Sun sensors detect the strength of the sun coming into the car, automatically changing the speed of air conditioning to keep the cooling even.
Defrosters can be difficult for people to function properly. Everyone has probably experienced turning on the defroster, only to have the window completely fog up because of a humidity imbalance. This potentially dangerous problem is solved with humidity sensors. Available in some models, these sensors communicate with the environmental controls to maintain humidity balance and prevent a fogged up windshield.
Powertrain advances
Both diesel (mostly in Europe) and hybrid engines have become cost-effective alternatives to gasoline engines through the use of electronics. These components improve the ability to control emissions, making diesel cars very attractive in European markets with strict emissions standards. Diesel engines comprise 50% of all engines sold in Europe because of the emissions control and improved fuel economy.
In the United States, powertrain improvements have resulted in the development of hybrid gas/electric vehicles, with the electric motor being controlled by a power chip. Market entry models appealed to consumers making a green statement, but, as automakers upgrade the powertrain, the hybrid’s emissions reductions, improved gas mileage and improved performance will have the effect of mainstreaming the technology.
Randy Frank, auto electronics consultant, says these improvements are here today. “The Toyota Prius has better performance than its first model. The Ford Escape has a four-cylinder combustion hybrid that gives the performance of a six-cylinder combustion engine -- because it is a hybrid.” Frank also notes that powertrain improvements paved the way for GM’s mild hybrid. The mild hybrid powertrain shuts the engine off at idle and captures the energy at braking. This combination improves emissions at idle and boosts fuel economy by 15%.
Safety improvements from sensors
Navigation electronics have the greatest impact on consumers through occupant safety and crash avoidance. Most come from embedding image sensor chips on the surface of automobiles to monitor what’s going on around the vehicle – car movement, debris and other potential hazards. The sensors deliver messages to the vehicle controls that would override a drivers' steering in order to avoid an accident. Other sensors monitor traffic patterns so that a driver gets an early warning to slow down before they actually see traffic ahead.
Sensors mounted inside the car are used to monitor the face of the driver for signs of sleepiness, such as repeated blinking. Some kind of warning signal alerts the driver so they can pull off the road.
Further developments that reduce distractions and hazards will go a long way toward making driving safer. All of the trends in electronics innovations give automakers a real opportunity to enhance the overall driving experience for consumers and build demand for their products.