A simple human mind is more complex than anything an automobile company can build. Its needs and wants are far more intricate than the most technical of engine components.
So, when you have an opportunity such as an Auto Expo to showcase your innovation to the common man, what do you do?
From navigational devices that play your favourite movie to vehicles that run on Hydrogen, the 9th Auto Expo packed all the punch of technical wizardry.
Carmakers teamed up with component manufacturers to reveal a bevy of products and technology that left the common man dazed with awe. With global warming catching up fast, companies showcased their alternate fuel technologies with enthusiasm.
Honda, Mahindra & Mahindra, Skoda, Mitsubishi and a host of others displayed their expertise in green technology. Covering a wide range of advanced power train solutions, Mahindra displayed different platforms of driveable full hybrid vehicles, micro (start/ stop) hybrid vehicles, bio-fuel vehicles, an electric passenger vehicle, a hydrogen combustion engine vehicle and many recyclable materials and reusable technologies.
B100 and B20 bio-diesel vehicles on Scorpio and Bolero platforms were displayed at the show to illustrate Mahindra’s bio-diesel programme. Bio-diesel is derived from renewable plant sources, which can greatly improve energy security and conventional fuel depletion concerns.
M&M has also been successful in developing the first hydrogen-powered Alfa 3-wheeler vehicle. Not far behind is the FCX Concept, the second-generation Fuel-cell car from Honda, which pioneered the fuel cell technology.
A Fuel-cell vehicle is powered by an electric motor, running on electricity generated by a fuel-stack, which uses hydrogen as its energy source. The FCX Concept boasts a fuel cell system that delivers more power in less space, in a unique, low-floor fuel cell platform.
I
t’s a next-generation sedan with a low centre of gravity and a full-sized cabin, offering the kind of driving pleasure and roomy interior previously unimaginable in a fuel cell vehicle.
The FCX Concept also features Honda’s advanced intelligent technologies that reduce driver burden and the spacious interior allows for extra large seats to maximise comfort.
Then in Mitsubishi’s cute i-MIEV you have an electric vehicle that can be charged (up to 80 per cent) in 30 minutes, using a special charging system, as well as charged overnight using household electricity outlet.
R Shantaram, MD, Hindustan Motors says, “For a vehicle of its class it outperforms even a gasoline vehicle.”
For low priced vehicles component manufacturers are gearing up to provide solutions. Bosch ‘Value Motronic’ is one example. In this new management platform for gasoline engines, intelligent software is the key to providing maximum functionality at minimum cost.
Also, SABIC Innovative Plastics (formerly GE Plastics) and Hyundai Motor Co presented the Hyundai QarmaQ, with around 30 different environmentally progressive technologies.
U Venkatakrishnan, automotive general manager at SABIC Innovative Plastics explains, “High grade plastics are the future of automobiles. Designers get greater expressive freedom to create complex 3D shapes that could not have been achieved with conventional production methods and materials such as metal and glass. Pedestrian safety can be achieved by using elastic fenders. In Europe people have begun adopting plastic as a substitute for metal and glass.”
But the hottest gizmos that hogged the limelight were navigators. Delphi’s palm-sized device Nav200 is preloaded with maps of various Indian cities. It comes with a 1 GB memory card, where you can store phone numbers, music and other data.
The monitor of the device shows the current location of the driver and the route to a particular place where he wants to reach. With the similar features, German major Blaupunkt and iRoute also showed their navigators.
And to provide a complete entertainment solution in cars Alpine will soon launch a system that will combine everything from navigation to music, movies, communication and even gaming.
Then there were alerts, which help the fleet operators to keep a track of their vehicles. Indian commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland displayed ‘Alert’ -- a GPS-based telematic device, which informs about the location, status, driving patterns. It can be connected to the phone and can send reports on vehicle’s whereabouts.
So, till now if you thought that auto expos were only about cars and bikes, it’s time to think again!
0 comments:
Post a Comment