Inventions That Changed The History Of The Automobile Forever
There is no denying that the automobile is an impressive machine that has never ceased to evolve and reinvent itself from its origin. In many cases, its evolution is motivated by the increasing need to improve occupant safety or comfort on board.
Khodrocar - These are not the only motives for innovations, as fuel economy or the ambition to offer something better than the competition have also been among the reasons that led the car to take great steps forward. Fortunately, the future looks promising, as we are confident that, in the next 20 years, the car will continue to evolve more than ever
In this list, we show you 10 inventions that have changed the history of the automobile forever. Click the "Next” button to see more.
In this list, we show you 10 inventions that have changed the history of the automobile forever. Click the "Next” button to see more.
Seatbelt
Without any doubts, this is the invention that has saved most lives in the history of the automobile. And even though its origins come from aircrafts in the early years of the last century, the three-point seatbelt, as we know it today, only appeared in a car in 1958. This is the year in which Volvo equipped its P220 Amazon model with a seatbelt.
Without any doubts, this is the invention that has saved most lives in the history of the automobile. And even though its origins come from aircrafts in the early years of the last century, the three-point seatbelt, as we know it today, only appeared in a car in 1958. This is the year in which Volvo equipped its P220 Amazon model with a seatbelt.
Airbag
Technically, airbags are air pockets that inflate within a matter of milliseconds in the event of an accident to prevent occupants from hitting directly into the steering wheel or dashboard.
The first car to use an airbag for the driver was the Oldsmobile Toronado in 1973. In fact, it was a very basic airbag system, which did not work properly. It was sold as a $250 option, so much so that they only made 1,000 units.
The first "modern" airbag arrived in 1981 on the then new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Since then, it has not stopped evolving. In 1994, the Volvo 850 introduced the side and curtain airbags, and two years later came the knee airbag. In 2009, Ford introduced the first airbag inflatable seat belts in the Fusion.
The Volvo V40 launched in 2011 brought the first airbag for pedestrians. In the event of a collision, the vehicle raises its hood and deploys an air curtain to reduce the force of the impact.
Technically, airbags are air pockets that inflate within a matter of milliseconds in the event of an accident to prevent occupants from hitting directly into the steering wheel or dashboard.
The first car to use an airbag for the driver was the Oldsmobile Toronado in 1973. In fact, it was a very basic airbag system, which did not work properly. It was sold as a $250 option, so much so that they only made 1,000 units.
The first "modern" airbag arrived in 1981 on the then new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Since then, it has not stopped evolving. In 1994, the Volvo 850 introduced the side and curtain airbags, and two years later came the knee airbag. In 2009, Ford introduced the first airbag inflatable seat belts in the Fusion.
The Volvo V40 launched in 2011 brought the first airbag for pedestrians. In the event of a collision, the vehicle raises its hood and deploys an air curtain to reduce the force of the impact.
Automatic emergency braking system and pedestrian detection
The first urban automatic emergency braking assistant appeared in Volvo vehicles nearly a decade ago. At the time, it used an infrared laser camera, capable of forcing the vehicle to brake on its own at speeds below 18 mph (30 kph), to avoid (or reduce the impact of) a collision.
Since then, these systems have continued to evolve, and nowadays some cars such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class can brake alone at up to 124 mph (200 kph), combining long-range speed camera data with stereoscopic cameras to detect pedestrians and avoid running over.
The first urban automatic emergency braking assistant appeared in Volvo vehicles nearly a decade ago. At the time, it used an infrared laser camera, capable of forcing the vehicle to brake on its own at speeds below 18 mph (30 kph), to avoid (or reduce the impact of) a collision.
Since then, these systems have continued to evolve, and nowadays some cars such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class can brake alone at up to 124 mph (200 kph), combining long-range speed camera data with stereoscopic cameras to detect pedestrians and avoid running over.
Autonomous driving system
This is a new technology that industry experts point out as the future of the automobile. Some cars from premium manufacturers like Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, and Volvo already use it. Currently, one the most advanced self-driving system is available in the new Audi A8, where it is described as a Level 3 autonomous driving system.
In the large German sedan, the feature can work without any action required by the driver, with a speed of up to 37 mph (60 kph), thanks to a system that analyzes the traffic. In addition, such systems are also able to change the speed according to the road signs and perform maneuvers such as lane change automatically.
This is a new technology that industry experts point out as the future of the automobile. Some cars from premium manufacturers like Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, and Volvo already use it. Currently, one the most advanced self-driving system is available in the new Audi A8, where it is described as a Level 3 autonomous driving system.
In the large German sedan, the feature can work without any action required by the driver, with a speed of up to 37 mph (60 kph), thanks to a system that analyzes the traffic. In addition, such systems are also able to change the speed according to the road signs and perform maneuvers such as lane change automatically.
Air conditioning
"Forget the heat of the summer in the world's only air-conditioned car." This is what the Packard 120 advertising, launched in 1939, said.
However, at that time, air conditioning had some problems: the refrigeration system (a kind of primitive compressor) occupied the entire trunk and had only two positions: on and off.
Fortunately, air conditioning systems have improved significantly in the last decades, and today, the most advanced ones even allow to control the temperature and airflow for each of the occupants, individually.
"Forget the heat of the summer in the world's only air-conditioned car." This is what the Packard 120 advertising, launched in 1939, said.
However, at that time, air conditioning had some problems: the refrigeration system (a kind of primitive compressor) occupied the entire trunk and had only two positions: on and off.
Fortunately, air conditioning systems have improved significantly in the last decades, and today, the most advanced ones even allow to control the temperature and airflow for each of the occupants, individually.
Source: yahoo.com
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