5 Facts You Didn't Know About Automotive Technology

1. They tried to create a driverless car at the beginning of the last century.

In 1921, the Radio Corporation of America showed a device that was controlled using radio equipment. But this option was more reminiscent of today's toy cars with remote control. First fully automated car built at the Japanese University of Tsukuba in 1977. He could travel at speeds of up to 30 km/h. Now technologies are developing, but not a single company didn't launch mass production of such vehicles. Only individual elements are integrated, such as unmanned parking or automatic speed control systems.

2. Electric cars can be charged in a few minutes

People are already accustomed to smartphones that replenish energy almost instantly. The same could soon happen to cars. In 2021, the Swiss company ABB presented the world's fastest charging station. According to the manufacturer, a quarter of an hour is enough to fully charge any electric car. And to provide a power reserve of 100 km, it will take no more than 3 minutes.

3. The inventor of cruise control came up with it to help his incompetent personal driver

Cruise control allows the driver to maintain the same speed for a long time. According to legend, it was created by engineer Ralph Titor pushed driving style of a personal driver. Titor was annoyed that during the conversation he began to drive slower. In 1948, the inventor patented a system that helps drive a car more stable. Modern adaptive cruise controls not only maintain the set speed, but also correct the trajectory and keep a distance from other cars.

4. Airbags are nitrogen based

The author of the first such device is John Hetrick. But his 1953 version failed to generate interest: it used compressed air, which did not always work quickly. In 1964, Japanese engineer Yasuzoburo Kobori developed a cushion based on sodium azide - it is obtained using nitric oxide. Upon impact, a sensor is activated, which ignites the tablets with the substance. Gas enters the airbag and is released into the cabin. Everything takes 20–50 milliseconds.

The technology continues to be improved: There is developments that adapt to the circumstances of the accident. In a minor collision, the airbags will not be thrown into the passenger compartment with all their force. And they can also work a second before an accident.

5. Your windshield could soon become an augmented reality display

At the end of 2021, the startup WayRay introduced Holograktor concept car with an augmented reality screen covering the entire windshield. It consists of two layers, between which there is a photopolymer coating of the display. That is, it is not only a monitor, but also an ordinary window through which you can see the road. As planned, messages for the driver and maps, as well as entertainment content and advertising can be projected onto it.

Comment of the day

Natalia Kopylova

4 hours ago

+4 / 0

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