“If I’d asked people what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse.” This famous quote has been attributed to Henry Ford, the visionary founder of Ford Motor Company and the man behind the development of the assembly line.
Whether or not Ford actually said this remains open for debate, but instead of focusing on this trivial matter, we should highlight the greater sentiment behind it — innovation is good for business, society and the economy, whether people realize it at the time or not.
Right now, the automobile industry is in the midst of a renaissance, delivering innovation the likes of which haven’t been seen since the Great Recession. Now, businesses, society and the global economy are reaping the benefits.
Here’s a look at some of the most exciting innovations currently being developed in the automotive industry, and how manufacturing is making it all possible with prototype and machining services.
After the invention of the smart phone and smart board, automobile manufacturers in Asia, Europe and the United States started introducing smart cars, trucks and SUVs with a greater focus on new technology. Automobiles are now equipped with technology, making the entire vehicle a roving WiFi hotspot that allows for real-time GPS navigation, satellite radio and sensors that can prevent collisions, keeping the car from veering too close to the side of the road and automatically applying the brakes.
In the future, all cars will likely be equipped with “smart” headlights that automatically adjust to accommodate turning angles, as well as wheels that can steer themselves and cars that can park without the human touch. As always, fuel efficiency will always be a major talking point.
Yes, innovation is taking place faster than ever before. Some features that will become standard in vehicles haven’t even been imagined yet (remember, some people just want a faster horse). Automobile companies can rest assured that their prototype and production service partners — partners including Product Development Solutions — will be ready to deliver stronger and smaller parts, components and products.