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Automotive Smart Memory Materials
Automotive Smart Memory Materials
February 19, 2014 | Posted by Anthony Spark in Comfort, Factors, New Entrants, Systems, Technology, Topics, TrendsNo comments
Automotive engineers have been experimenting with shape-memory alloys and polymers that are referred to as “smart materials”. They change their shape, strength or stiffness when heat, stress, a magnetic field or electrical voltage is introduced. A family of materials with an capability to alter a couple of its original properties by the application of any external stimuli, such as anxiety, temperature, moisture, pH, electric and magnetic fields are referred to as smart materials. Smart materials are lifeless materials that assimilate distinct functions such as sensing, actuation, logic and control to adaptively react to alterations in their environment to which they are exposed, in a constructive and mostly recurring way. Thermo-responsive materials such as shape memory alloys or shape memory polymers are smart materials which change their shape with alter in temperature. Read more
Laser Automotive Lighting
Laser Automotive Lighting
February 14, 2014 | Posted by Anthony Spark in Competitors, Factors, Lighting, New Entrants, Regulatory Trends, Substitute Products & Services, Supply Chains, Systems, Technology, Topics, TrendsOne comment
The incandescent bulb invented by Thomas Edison in 1879 has shown remarkable longevity in automotive applications. Automotive LED applications had a market leadership position for almost a decade. In the near-future automotive lighting market innovation will soon be pioneered by lasers. The market reign of LEDs is not coming to an end already, but it’s notorious position as a technology leader might soon be threatened. Lasers will become the next generation of automotive lighting technology. Read more
Lapa: Social Lost & Found
Lapa: Social Lost & Found
October 2, 2013 | Posted by Anthony Spark in Factors, Infotainment, Manufacturing, New Entrants, Substitute Products & Services, Systems, Technology, Technology Trends, Topics, TrendsNo comments
Losing your car keys can be more than just inconvenient; it can also be very expensive. But what can you do to avoid losing a set of keys? The best thing, of course, is to not lose them in the first place, but a recent survey found that 26% of drivers have suffered such a mishap. And one in 20 has been a victim of car key theft. Misplace your keys often? Better break yourself of that habit if your car has smart key technology. Lost or stolen keys can prove expensive and increasingly advanced car key systems mean the cost of getting a spare set has been rising. Read more
ID4Motion Digital Instrument Clusters
ID4Motion Digital Instrument Clusters
November 20, 2012 | Posted by Anthony Spark in Consumer, Design, Electrical, Factors, Infotainment, Media, Needs & Demands, New Entrants, Systems, Technology, Technology Trends, Topics, TrendsNo comments
Enter the ID4Motion MotionGraphic Design Digital Cluster into the market. More and more car brands are favouring LCD instrument clusters over analogue gauges; therefore it was only a matter of time before an aftermarket company came up with an option of its own. The instrument cluster has been virtually free of aftermarket accessories for a long time. ID4Motion has set out to change that. Read more
Silvercar Airport Car Rental
Airport Car Rental 2.0
November 5, 2012 | Posted by Anthony Spark in Consumer, Factors, New Entrants, Substitute Products & Services, Topics, Transport, TrendsNo comments
Silvercar aims to streamline the car rental process by offering a new disruptive business service The brainchild of one of Zipcar’s founders Silvercar has raised a first round of funding to in its attempt to disrupt the dismal airport car rental experience. There’s been a lot of excitement in Silicon Valley lately over new disruptive automotive business ideas. We are witnessing a new generation of companies breathing new life into everything from taxi services to auto repair. In particular, startups like RelayRides, GetAround, Wheelz, Zipcar, RideJoy, SideCar, Lyft and Uber – to name a few – are leveraging collaborative consumption and peer-to-peer models to bring a new buzz to traditional automotive business models. Read more
New e-fuels developed by Audi
Audi Pioneers Fuel Alternatives Using Waste Water
October 12, 2012 | Posted by Anthony Spark in Engine, Factors, New Entrants, Substitute Products & Services, Supply, Systems, Topics, TrendsNo comments
Audi engineers have contributed to a breakthrough of almost miraculous proportions by helping to develop fuels for the TFSI and TDI engines of the very near future using nothing more than lengths of ordinary-looking pipe, waste CO2, sunlight and microscopic organisms suspended in waste water. Read more
