INTRODUCTION: – Smart cars has been around since 1980s. SMH, the company that produces Swatch Watches decided to create a brand of car that relates to smart accessories. After rejected by brands such as Volkswagen, FIAT, BMW, the smart project was finally accepted by Daimler-Benz, which now holds 51% of total shares. After that other brand like Volkswagen, Fiat, BMW, also started working on the smart cars. Smart cars have features like excellent gas mileage and is more convenience. Smart cars are more safe as it uses forward facing sensors like radar, camera, laser based. It also holds features like automatic parking, autopilot, lane keep assist which will help to reduce collisions and accidents. Smart cars are in demand these days. Brands like BMW, Volkswagen, Fiat, Ford, etc. are using different and more advanced techniques to make their cars safer and effective for the drivers and to make roads safer.
VOLKSWAGEN:- Sedric was the fist smart car designed by Volkswagen and is the first vehicle in group to have been created as it does not need human driver. The car was made for the convenience for full family. Volkswagen provides services like App-connect, Guide & Information and Security and Services. App connect is a new feature. It includes Android Auto, Apple car play, Mirror Link means can easily assess to music, navigation, weather and many more app. Guide and Inform is a paid subscription. It is specially designed for city driving. It not only supports navigation but also provides information about traffic alerts, fuel prices, ski reports. It also tells about the traffic areas and destructive areas to save time and make it easy for us to reach their Respective destination. Security and Services hold old features like tracking vehicle, safety, access to communication with emergency in case of accidents. It protects the driver and other people sitting beside him in case of any collision. Volkswagen’s new autonomous car has no driver and it is self driving car or robotic car which will take the smart cars to a new generation.
MERCEDES-BENZ:- In January 2007, Mercedes benz display their first smart car project. The plastic body panels were supposed to be easily swappable to suit the mood of driver much like plastic trim on swatch watches. “Anyone who who focuses solely on technology has not yet grasped how autonomous driving will change our society”, (Dr. Zetsch. D,2009). The innovative four seaters are a forerunner of a mobility revolution, and this is immediately apparent from futuristic appearance. Autonomous driving is taken for granted as it is acceptable in society and technology is perfectly reliable. As the autonomous car takes over from the driver in situation where driving is not much fun, it gives real added quality to spent out time on road. The transition between organic, synthetic and metal material have been designed using matrix graphics. One core theme of the innovative interior concept is a continuous exchange of information between vehicles, passengers and the outside world.
FORD:- In 2015 ford introduce a new technology Amazon Echo smart home device through which car owner could turn on their home lights or browse their playlist from comfort of their fusions or they can switch it up and asked to start their car from inside the homes. It also uses voice activation system that lets you use your phone while your hands are on wheel and eyes on road. You can place calls, play music and can stay interact with navigation system without using your hands. If you do not have your keys with you, you can simply unlock the driver’s door with a touch of handle. To fire up the ignition, just put your feet on break press START/STOP button and you are away.
TOYOTA:- Toyota, BMW and Chrysler designed a beautiful smart concept for the future of Cars. Featuring gull-wing doors, a unique styling, and a pulsing centre console. Toyota’s concept is clear: make car more safe and comfortable for drivers as well as the other people sitting beside him. Interior and exterior graphics are used to share your trip details. Lighting helps with ambiance and to alert occupants of certain things happening around car on and off the road. It also includes the driverless autonomy but still integrates a manual mode for those not ready to let a car do the driving themselves. Foe Toyota, keeping the car warm, friendly and intuitive in design for occupants was a priority. While looking for a smart car, the consumers want to feel comfortable sitting in one which is why Toyota chose to develop this route. The interior is designed to feel serene, with bright whites and transparency throughout the car so you can see the world and feel the beauty of life. Overall, it feels comfortable and feels cozy.
REFRENCES
- Morin.A,2015 “The smart: A Brief history.” http://www.guideautoweb.com/en/articles/35822/the-smart-a-brief-history/
- Preston.B,2017 “Rise of the Robocar.” https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/aug/13/robot-connected-cars-hacking-risks-driverless-vehicles-ross-now
- Posner.A,2008 “Smart car: How Smart It Is?” https://www.treehugger.com/cars/smart-car-how-smart-is-it.html