Almost everyone today, the car, which can be considered being modern engineering wonder, has evolved from an indulgence to an essential in many of our daily routines. With the technological development, the automobile has also met the change in shapes, roles, and effects towards the environment. This blog would unveil the historical evolution and also the technological advancements in automobiles as well as the future car models that we can expect in the near future.
The Development of the Automobile
This article reflects on the history of automobiles and it was established that they originated in the late 19th century. Although there were vehicles that were powered by steam starting from the 18th century, the credit of inventing the first automobile with an internal combustion engine which used gasoline as a fuel goes to Karl Benz in 1886. The Benz Patent-Motorwagen was a three-wheel car, it was the first car to use internal combustion engine that it was designed for.
After Benz there where other pioneers such as Henry ford who introduced the issue of mass production in the market. The Model T became available in 1908 for a very low price to the esteem of becoming a car for the common people by Ford Motor Company. Some people said it was only a car; however, what made it so special was that it was emblematic of ‘the future’.
Automobile Industry/ Automotive industry and The Emergence of Automative Industry
The twentieth century began with the dramatic increase of the car production. Auto makers right from America, Germany, & Japan embarked on the mass production of cars. Clerkin (2010) postulated that, this process brought down the cost of manufacturing cars making it possible for an average customer to afford a car.
Of course, during this period cars as objects were changing their design and possibilities too. Whereas the first generations of supercars seemed more like massive and heavy metal containers compared to horse carriages, their successors offered increasingly elegant forms that already resembled the aerodynamic shapes of works of art. Even more innovations were to follow after World War II: cars were becoming faster and more powerful, as well as more luxurious.
The Effect of Automobile on Society
Automobiles have made a massive impact in society and its use is now almost a norm. Cities developed also because people could afford to live away from the place they worked which saw the rise of suburbanization. The automobile also led to the creation of innovations in infrastructure such as the highways and road networks which paved the different cities and towns for business and communication purposes.
Also, cars have turned into a sentimental significance in people’s lives. Car used as a symbol of power and freedom since the glamorous muscle cars of the 60’s to the black luxurious sedans of the 80’s. The auto culture remains strong, especially in the countries such as the United States where the car racing, car shows including road trips and motorsports have become exciting activities to engage in.
The Environmental Challenge
But the invention of the automobile has not been completely beneficial. Most of the drivers use gasoline automobiles which when widely used leads to air pollution and global warming. It was by the early 1970’s that people realized that the Automobile industry was not very friendly to the environment.
This realization helped in the creation of other better fuel efficient engines and also the exploration of the use of catalytic converter to lessen the emissions of the harsh fumes. However, this development was shadowed by the fact that continued to rely on fossil fuel.
In this context, the use of electric and hybrid vehicles is expanding rapidly in the world.
At the start of the 21st century there has been quite an emphasis towards cutting down the environmental cost of automobiles. The use of EV and hybrid vehicle is probably one of the most revolutionary transformations in the market currently. Self-driving cars for instance, used by Tesla as an innovation of cars of traditional fuel such as gasoline, is way cleaner than the standard fuel cars.
EVs run on electric batteries thus have zero emissions from their tailpipe as compared to hybrid vehicles which have both a battery and a combustion engine. Hybrid vehicles which are compromise vehicles with both gasoline engine and electrical engine are said to be more efficient than vehicles with only gasoline engines. They have also paved way for subsidy and infrastructural support to EVs this marks a shift towards green mobility around the world.
Autonomous Vehicles: Towards the end of this work, the conclusion that will be drawn is the Future of Driving.
One more fresh trend that is emerging within the sphere of automobiles is the development of the autonomous or self-driven vehicles. The use of Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and sensor technology are some of the factors that make it possible for cars to drive on the roads without much human interference. To know more about this product Tobacco – RAZ Vape TN9000
Waymo which is owned by Alphabet Inc and traditional car makers like ford and General motors are some of the firms actively funding this technology. Self-driven cars will ensure that the number of cases of accidents on roads is decreased, traffic congestion is avoided and ensure that transport for people with disabilities is enhanced.
The subject of this paper is the Connected Car and Smart Technology.
Besides autonomy, today’s automobiles are integrating is more and more connectivity. IoT has made automobiles to talk to each other and also with roads, traffic signals, parking lots, roads signs etc. hence making the world to be smart with intelligence where roads and other parts of the town can respond to the cars in real time.
This integration improves driving by providing real-time information on how to navigate, when the automobile requires maintenance, and entertainments. As technology grows even finer, a vehicle is gradually mimicking the functionalities of a computer; hence becoming a computer.
The Road Ahead
They are on the cross roads of the automobile industry. This is especially important today while nations around the world face climate change challenges and look for solutions towards sustainable transportation. The key features such as converting automobiles into an electrical mode of transport and the idea of self-driving automobiles are among the features that depict the future we are likely to witness in automobile industry.
However, challenges remain. The shift to electric car must involve a huge capital on accessories for example charging points and natural resource for energy production. Thus, self-driving cars have issues with regulation and the general public’s perception of their safety.
However, these have remained as some of the challenges facing the development of automobiles while the advancement in this area remains one of the most fascinating aspects of the modern world. The year 1885 marked the transformation in mobility when strides into the modern age were evident by Karl Benz’s ‘the gasoline car’ to today’s self-autonomous electric cars.
As we look to the future, one thing is certain: the automobile will remain a key power that shows us direction toward the future impacting our world’s future and future horizons.
