Concept car and his advantages

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Moscow Department of Education

Eastern region

School №1200

Concept car and his advantages

Author: Mitrohin Maksim

Form: 11 B

Scientific Tutor: J. Zommer

Moscow 2013

Contents

Introduction

Computers in cars

Anti-theft

Entry

Media systems

Safety

New composite materials

Exterior design

Interior design

Engine

Conclusion

Literature

Introduction

motor vehicle safety design

The future car -- say a 2025 model -- will be a very different beast to its present day Grandfather. It will be packed with computers and safety devices, ensuring that not even a stunt driver could crash. It will run on carbon dioxide. And it will emit strawberry-scented oxygen (or perhaps not).

Predictions of future vehicles are usually wildly inaccurate. By now we should all have space programs to rival NASA based out of our backyard. However some of the automobile-related cutting-edge technology emerging now may well make it into production models of the future. But how much of this technology will be needed or even wanted? Car design of the present is already influenced by politicians, bureaucrats, health and safety regulations and emissions regulations, and the stunning concept seen at the motorshow emerges into the world as a 1.0 litre shopping cart -- but at least its legal.

Personally I like the idea of fuel-efficient hybrid cars and fuel cell cars emitting nothing but water. However, like most enthusiasts, I also like powerful, loud convertibles with warp-speed capabilities.

Another problem facing designers of the future is coming up with styling ideas that are fresh and new. Some of the more recent concepts are certainly striking but not necessarily beautiful in the classic sense of the word. However if there is one thing the automobile industry is good at, it's innovation, and I for one am confident that radical and extreme concepts never before imagined will continue to appear at motorshows around the world.

Computers in cars

Computer technology has already taken a firm hold of the automobile and the driver is less and less responsible for the actions of his or her vehicle. Soon crash victims will be trying to sue the electronics companies for accidents caused because their computer system failed to brake the car -- even though the driver was fast asleep at the wheel on a three-lane highway. Until you have automation of every single vehicle on every single road, computer-driven cars are just not feasible. To my mind there are just too many on-the-road variables: with all the logic in the world, you cannot beat a brain. Computer-assisted driving is already available in certain Mercedes models which brake for you if you're not looking where you're going and are too close to the car in front; but there is still a driver in control of the car. Or is there? What if, for some reason, you wanted to get closer to the car in front, you needed to get closer to the car, if you didn't get closer to the car something terrible would happen to civilization? Where do you draw the line with vehicle automation?

Anti-theft

In advanced cities of the future, CCTV will be so prevalent that visible crimes such as car theft will be all but wiped out. Yet that still won't stop the determined thief. GPS (Global Positioning System) units fitted as standard to all new automobiles will be able to track any vehicle, anytime, anywhere. In England, the government is already talking about fitting GPS to charge motorists depending on what road they travel on and at what times, to cut spiraling congestion. This technology, coupled with an improved mobile phone and bluetooth network, can be used to track and recover stolen vehicles. When the vehicle is found to be stolen, a call can be made which shuts down the engine of the car. At the same time, a call is sent out that alerts available nearby police. By using the GPS installed in both the stolen car and the police car, officers can track the car even if they cannot see it.

The police will also have much more insight into a vehicle's record when out on patrol. Using bluetooth technology, a police car can tail a vehicle and receive information on the owner, the current driver and their driving history, and can even find out recent top speed and acceleration figures. Of course, who really wants that? You think you've just had a fun little blast on your favorite bit of road, you get pulled over five miles later, and the officer gives you a speeding ticket for something he didn't see. But if this technology is mandatory then what choice do you have?

Entry

Access to future automobiles may be very different to the keys of today. Push-button code entry and keycard systems, where the key doesn't even leave your pocket, could become commonplace. You hear the term "keyless entry" but it still uses a remote control attached to a key which is then used to start the car. Biometrics, which are available on some computer systems and use fingerprinting as a password, could be an effective alternative to the key. You could even program it for members of your family, deciding between access only for the children or access and drive functions for those with licenses. However, I believe it will be some time before this is the only means of vehicle entry or start up. What if you are lending your car to a friend and you cannot be present to allow start up?

Media systems

Multimedia systems will continue to develop in cars until the point where the "are we there yet?" phrase develops into "can we stay here?". Manufacturers are continuing to stuff more and more video screens into increasingly ingenious places, providing a rolling cinematic Dolby 5.0 surround-sound experience. DVDs are going to go the way of the VCR with hard disk recording of video being the dominant power, much as MP3s are killing off CDs.

This MP4 technology will save space in the car and allow for far more footage to be kept on board. Improvements in wireless Internet connections could mean that the larger roads can support Internet capable vehicles and constantly inform the driver with up to date relevant road information. A screen in the dash could display live images to show traffic reports and also predict traffic jams by using the GPS systems in all vehicles to show areas where vehicles have been stopped or are congested, and then supply alternate routes.

The sound systems of cars will also improve and become more personalised for the various passengers, with headphone sockets and multiple sound outlets. There might be four different radio stations that can be played at once through the different jacks, and a variety of MP3s that can be played at once.

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.

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.

We have made a pole among a group of 30 students of 10-11th form of our school. Here the results we have got.

What type of fuel to use in the future?

Conclusion

Sadly, the bulk of concept cars are destroyed once their use has been served. However, some do escape the crusher and continue to live their lives in storage or on exhibit in automobile museums.

The information that is gathered by manufacturers from these car shows is proven to be a method of great value.

Literature

1. How to illustrate and design concept cars by Adrian Dewey

2. Cars by P.J.Orourke

3. The Grand Prix car by L.J.K.Setright

4. How to make your car handle by Fred Puhn

5. Engineer to win by Carroll Smith

6. Under the hood by Jonathan Liu

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