Getting to work on time used to be esteemed when it came to corporate policies and procedures. Nowadays getting to work in style is what is appreciated. With all of the glitz and glam of new pristine motor vehicles, some can forget that technology can play a key role when it comes to automobiles. In fact, most businesspersons would be hard pressed to find a vehicle that doesn’t utilize technology in some way, shape or form. So, what are some of the latest innovations when it comes to means of transportation?
You’d be surprised.
One thing is for certain – the technology in cars has certainly come a long way since the pivotal debut of automobiles in the 16th century. According to Discovery, the first self-propelled car was built in 1769 and utilized steam engine technology along with a three-wheeled cart to achieve walking speed. 1890 was the year that Wilhelm Maybach constructed the first four-cylinder, four-stroke engine, and just three years later he created the spray-nozzle carburetor which was the basis for modern carburetor technology. This newfound innovation would be utilized in 1903 when the Ford Motor Company was formed to soon become the world’s biggest automobile manufacturer.
Nowadays, the minds behind Ford technology strive to push the boundaries of what a vehicle can do. To that end, they’ve been cooking up quite a few innovations including SYNC, an ultramodern touch screen device, such as one of the groundbreaking tablet computers of today, that is built into some Ford automobiles enabling drivers to stay informed and entertained with personalized news, stocks, and sports scores. Incoming phone calls can be displayed on the SYNC screen located on the dashboard, and drivers can also have incoming text messages read aloud by a computerized voice.
Knight Rider, this isn’t.
In addition to SYNC, Ford also offers BLIS, which is short for Blind Spot Information System, cutting-edge technology that uses radar at the rear of the vehicle to detect an automobile in a blind-spot zone. Furthermore, new smart performance gasoline technology – who knew there was such a thing? – improves peak power and provides gains in low-speed torque which is especially good for businesspersons who prefer sportscars.
However, Ford isn’t the only automotive company that is cooking up new technology. Toyota has been conducting energy research, and is also improving on its advanced vehicle technology. So far, the company has been accelerating the development of its Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle, cars that reduce CO2 emissions and are environmentally-sensitive. Meanwhile, the minds at Honda have been perfecting their fuel-efficient 700cc engines for midsize motorcycles. According to Honda Worldwide, the fuel economy exceeds 27km/L, best in the mid-class range, and achieves an approximate forty percent improvement over other sports models in its class. Needless to say, businessmen won’t exactly have to worry about being late to business meetings and presentations.
So, with all of this new automotive technology on the horizon, one has to wonder – how is it good for business? Well, aside from the obvious reason of being able to get from point A to point B, there are other explanations why automotive technology can be good for businesspersons. For starters, vehicles that are equipped with Bluetooth capability can be beneficial for industrious executives that are constantly on the move. GPS navigation can be valuable for the harried personal assistant trying to locate the right coffee shop to pick up the espresso for her demanding boss. Heated seats can be advantageous for corporate professionals driving in colder cities, and vehicular hardware such as OnStar can provide features such as roadside assistance and automatic crash response to businessmen and businesswomen whose minds can be elsewhere.
Without a doubt, technology has definitely been playing a key role in how automobiles are designed today. To that end, the question remains – what does the future hold?
Well, Toyota scientists and developers believe that hydrogen holds great potential as a clean, renewable fuel. Their goal is to bring a fuel cell-hybrid vehicle to market by 2015 and have been busy testing vehicles that are powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Furthermore, Mashable believes that autonomous cars are on the horizon – where drive control will be optional.
Regardless of what the future may hold, one thing is for certain – automobiles are here to stay. Innovations are being discovered and perfected every day, and with automotive manufacturers now utilizing the latest in technology to perfect their crafts, businessperson can expect nothing but the best.
Now, how’s that for being fast and furious?
Do you appreciate the technology found in today’s automobiles? Are you looking forward to further innovations? What is your favorite gizmo in your vehicle? Let us know by sharing your comments in the box below, or by sounding off on our Facebook Page or Google+ Page, or by tweeting us at @HostDime.