Automobiles are a type of wheeled motor vehicle that is used primarily for transportation. Most definitions say that cars are four-wheeled, have seating for one to eight people, and run on roads. Automobiles are a very important part of our daily lives. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the innovations and inventions that have shaped the way we drive our cars.
Benz’s inventions
The first automobile was born in 1886, and the invention of the internal combustion engine is a key part of Benz’s career. Benz began his career by working as a mechanic at a bicycle repair shop and eventually moved to a manufacturing company that made industrial machines. After a few years, he decided to leave his job to start his own engineering company. In 1879, he received his first patent for his invention.
While other inventors were trying to create horseless carriages, Benz’s work stood out because he designed his automobile around the engine, while others simply added engines to existing carts. This unique approach helped Benz obtain the patent for his automobile on January 29, 1886.
Ford’s mass production techniques
Henry Ford invented the moving assembly line, which drastically streamlined the process of making automobiles. Previously, individual fitters constructed each car, but he found that the process worked faster with specialized teams of workers moving from vehicle to vehicle. By employing these techniques, Ford’s auto factories were able to reduce the assembly time of the Model T from more than twelve hours to less than six hours.
When Henry Ford first started manufacturing automobiles, he was inspired by the production methods used in the meat packing industry and the assembly line in a mill. These factories used a conveyor belt to move automobiles from one section to the next. In order to speed up the production process, he hired motion study expert Frederick Taylor, who taught the workers how to perform their individual tasks in a standardized fashion. His methods reduced the number of workers needed for each step of the production process, allowing Ford to cut the cost of the Model T.
Chrysler’s battery-electric propulsion system
GM and Chrysler are both working to develop battery-electric propulsion systems for automobiles. The companies are planning to release EVs in the market before the end of the decade. The electric vehicles are said to have a range of more than 350 miles. They also hope to have a fully electric fleet in place by the year 2028. Though Chrysler has been delaying this project, the company recently started deliveries of an electric Pacifica van.
Among the prototypes announced by the company are the Dodge EV, Jeep Renegade, and Chrysler EV. These vehicles are meant to show the driving capabilities and performance of EVs. The company is working with ENVI, a research division of Chrysler that focuses on advanced technologies and production-ready electric-drive automobiles. While the technology is still in its infancy, it’s expected to mature rapidly.
Toyota’s autonomous electric vehicles
Toyota’s autonomous electric vehicles may not be on the horizon, but they are already on the drawing board. The company is building an ecosystem to develop this technology and is working with Qualcomm to do so. These partnerships are an important step in developing the future of mobility. They are expected to begin testing in early 2020 and Toyota hopes to showcase its first electric car at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
The new electric vehicle, known as the e-Palette, will have three sizes, which is a big step in the company’s push into the autonomous market. The Toyota e-Palette will have Toyota technologies onboard but will also allow other companies to host their own automated driving systems. It also represents an important alliance in the development of mobility-as-a-service. The companies are working on application concepts and vehicle verification activities.
