Automotive industry includes all companies and activities involved in the manufacture of motor vehicles, including most components, such as engines and bodies. For a few years in a row automotive industry strikes in rankings as one of the most innovative industries. It brings up a lot fascinating innovations almost every day.
By 2035, around the world 85 million autonomous-capable vehicles are expected to be sold annually. New energy sources, such as electricity and hydrogen are taking over. Automakers know that cars today have to be smart and easy to use, and that means including innovative features like virtual displays or even drone landing pads. We are not just talking about advancements in technology. Innovative business models like Hyundai Free Return Policy or TRUEcar platform to get the true price for a car keep automotive industry evolving at the speed of light.
Efficiency, security and affordability: these are the key concepts that drive innovation in automotive industry. Scroll down to find out what are the Top 10 Innovations in Automotive Industry.
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Chevrolet: Affordable EV Batteries
Affordable electric vehicles have struggled to break the 200-mile-range barrier. Chevrolet (General Motors) is getting there first. It all comes down to the battery: The Bolt’s 288-cell, 60-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion powerhouse is heavy in nickel, which boosts energy density and extends range to 238 miles. Liberal use of aluminum in the hood, doors, tailgate, and suspension keep the car from getting weighed down at the price that makes competitors to work even harder.
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Goodyear: Spherical Tire
Goodyear unveiled its latest concept tire – Eagle-360. The spherical, 3-D printed tire highlights Goodyear’s vision for the future and presents an inspiring solution for the long-term future when autonomous driving is expected to be more mainstream.
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Hyundai: Free Return Policy
In the circumstances of world financial crisis, in 2009 Hyundai introduced innovation in their business model that helped to attain new customers and sustain the current ones. It was Hyundai’s new Assurance scheme; if the customer couldn’t afford the payments on the new Hyundai-financed Hyundai within the first year of financial servitude, then the customer could just drop the car off and walk away. No debt, no problems with the credit rating and no charge. This offer was available under circumstances of involuntary unemployment, physical disability, loss of driver’s license due to physical impairment, international employment transfer, self-employed personal bankruptcy, accidental death.
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Johnson Controls: Start-Stop Technology
Destined to be on the majority of cars in the next few years, start-stop technology is a revolutionary step toward energy efficiency. Start-stop systems automatically shut down and restart the internal combustion engine to reduce the amount of time the engine spends idling, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
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Mercedes: Vision Van
With the Vision Van, Mercedes-Benz Vans presents a revolutionary van concept for urban areas. The vehicle as a holistic system integrates numerous innovative technologies. The Vision Van features a fully automated cargo space, integrated drones for autonomous air deliveries and a state-of-the-art joystick control. Powered by a 75 kW electric drive system with a range of up to 270 km, deliveries with the Vision Van are locally emission-free.
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Porsche: Holographic Dashboard – HUDS
Porsche Holographic dashboard can be controlled just by looking at it. Dashboard instruments are operated operated by eye-tracking and gesture control, some even via holograms.
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Tesla: Self-Driving Car
Self-driving vehicles will play a crucial role in improving transportation safety and accelerating the world’s transition to a sustainable future. Full autonomy will enable a Tesla to be substantially safer than a human driver, lower the financial cost of transportation for those who own a car and provide low-cost on-demand mobility for those who do not. Eight surround cameras provide 360 degree visibility around the car at up to 250 meters of range. Twelve updated ultrasonic sensors complement this vision, allowing for detection of both hard and soft objects at nearly twice the distance of the prior system.
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Toyota: Mirai Hydrogen Powered Car
Named the FCV Plus, the hydrogen-powered fuel-cell technology has already begun rolling out in Toyota’s Mirai car in California. By 2017, the company aims to have as many as 3,000 Mirais on the road in the US.
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TRUEcar: Connecting Car Buyers and Dealers
TrueCar, Inc. is an automotive pricing and information website for new and used car buyers and dealers. TrueCar’s mission is to transform the car buying experience for consumers and the way that dealers attract customers and sell cars. They have established an intelligent, data-driven online platform operating on a common technology infrastructure, powered by proprietary data and analytics. Truecar operates on TrueCar.com website.
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Volvo: Autonomous Truck
Volvo’s fully autonomous truck is the first in the world to be tested in operations deep underground in the Kristineberg Mine. The self-driving truck is part of a development project aimed at improving the transport flow and safety in the mine. The truck will cover a distance of 7 kilometres, reaching 1,320 metres underground in the narrow mine tunnels.
The list of the Top 10 Innovations in Automotive Industry
- Chevrolet Affordable EV Batteries
- Goodyear Spherical Tire
- Hyundai Free Return Policy
- Johnson Controls Start-Stop Technology
- Mercedes Vision Van
- Porsche Holographic Dashboard – HUDS
- Tesla Self-driving Car
- Toyota Mirai: Hydrogen Powered Car
- TRUEcar: Connecting Car Buyers and Dealers
- Volvo Autonomous Truck
What are the Top 10 Innovations in the other most innovative industries? Take a look to Top 10 Innovations in Telecommunications Industry