Essay on Automotive Product Development

Submitted By Maneesh7510
Words: 1662
Pages: 7

Assignment - I
Review of Tomorrow’s Car

The requirement for the energy conservation in all the countries in past few years has increased due to oil need and environmental concerns. The burning of the fossil fuels is one of the reasons for depletion of ozone layer and environmental pollution, which results in the global warming. The other major disadvantage is that according to recent studies more than half a millon people are losing their lives in road accidents.

By considering all these factors the demand for small cars has increased gradually. All the factors including the average cost for the fuel consumption can be reduced when compared with big cars.

In order to overcome all these factors there are different types of vehicles launched by combining the features of scooter and a car.
Some of the example models of launched vehicles are * BMW C1:

This is manufactured by the BMW company with combined features like no helmet required, Alu space frame safety cell, Roll- and shoulder bars, Safety belt, ABS,
Viper, Range: ~300km (Tank capacity 9,7l), CVT transmission, Weight: 185-300kg.

BMW C1
But has disadvantages like only 1 seat, Price ~ $10,000, Incomplete weather protection, Low performance, Safety features like high centre of gravity, hard to balance for small people with seat belt straped and small luggage compartment.

* ECO-Mobile
This is a handmade model in Switzerland with the features like roller bar, air bags, ABS, 2 seats, support wheels. As it is manufactured by aircraft industry, therefore more expensive ranging from AUD$100,000-AUD$170,000.

But it has many disadvantages like it is very expensive, requires extra driving skills, due to manual support wheels which are unstable over obstacles and needs special training, has high entrance point and uncomfortable seat position.

ECO-Mobile

* Carver * This is manufactured by a European company with features like wheels, Cabin & front wheel tilting, cost ranging A$50,000, Hydraulic tilting system with fast response and car dynamics, Roller bar, ABS, Air bags, 2 seats, luggage compartment and reverse gear. * Disadvantages included in it are expensive due to complex active system, 2 oil pumps, 2reservoirs, rear wheel steering, big size, less safety as no natural feedback when unstable and fuel consumption is more due to wide and small tyres and aerodynamics/engine.

Carver
Tomorrow’s Car
By considering all these factors and conducting many research programs and hard work by the Deakin University Engineering experts the concept of tomorrow’s car has been developed which is the new generation ultra-efficient crossover car which combines all the best features of a small size of a motor bike and the comfort which can be obtained in a small car.

As such combined cars are not new the researchers has solved many issues of this concept like * Safety performance which needs relative control systems when necessary like deceleration, parking, slippery road surfaces, side wind and also reduced design and cost factors, reduced complexity, ensure reliable system, reduced system friction to increase handling dynamics, improved ride quality, comfort and reduced weight in order to improve fuel economy and performance.

* Tomorrow’s car has a fully enclosed cabin with one rear wheel and two front wheels which enables the vehicle to drive like a normal motor cycle including all the safety features like passive low cost real time electronic stability control Safe ride system, roll over protection, crush zones, airbags, ABS, encapsulation and all major safety features which are required to attain 5 Star ANCAP rating.

* In some of the cases it can be better than a normal small car as it is easy to park due to its small width and also you can get out directly on the pedestrian way from other side instead of getting out at traffic hazard side when parked on road sides.

* It has fewer chances to be