Industry Insight | Analysing Automated, Automotive Achievements
A short while ago, Auto Retail Network in conjunction with PwC and Strategy&, released a report titled The Future of Mobility. The detailed report sought to bring into focus the rapidly changing demands of the modern world, and how the automotive industry is navigating its way through these often revolutionary changes.
A key driver in our changing world is technology and more importantly, the provision of increased connectivity and data which facilitates a seamless existence between humans, and the array of technological advancements available to support our daily lives.
The turbulent relationship between the UK government and tech giant Huawei has been well documented in the media. Cyber connectivity has never been more valuable, or indeed more hazardous to the operation of our existence. From the moment we wake up, to the moment we take the final blink of our tech filled days, it’s no wonder that an increasing number of the populace are turning to digital detox’s to address these very valid addictions.
And yet how far can one truly run away from technology? Once the detox is over, many of us still wake up to the sound of our phone alarms, travel in our cars on smart motorways, to jobs involving computers, technology, connectivity, sharing. Everything we seemingly crave and simultaneously chase away.
Sharing is Caring
We have always been taught that sharing is caring, however, it’s a valid concern and question when we pause to consider just who has access to our shared data, who provides that data and how all of our thoughts, shares, likes and pictures are stored and documented in the other worldly dimension that is the internet. Frankly, it’s an equally fascinating and frightening marvel to behold.
It is no wonder then, that the government is precariously balancing the tightrope upon which they are required to both meet and respond to the nations increasing data demands, whilst evaluating and actioning suitable measures to ensure the optimum safety of this data and its provision.
Technology is taking on an increasingly important role to the functionality of our daily lives, and it is a seemingly natural evolutionary step forward to consider how technology will impact the cars of the future. Yes, sharing in this case is caring. The smarter our technology becomes, and the more knowledge and data tech giants are able to hoard, the better placed they are to understand a population’s needs and requirements. Often before we ourselves are in a position to do so.
The Future of Mobility report believes that tomorrows car will represent a step change in form and function when compared to what is on offer today. As well as the longer term development of the autonomous car, there will continue to be new levels of connectivity amongst vehicles, enabling new services both inside and outside the car.
An example of increased intelligence and connectivity lies with lane keep assist. Whilst systems continue to gain intelligence and become more sophisticated as they assess when and how much to intervene, the aim for automotive engineers is to develop technology which works with drivers rather than become an annoyance that is later ignored.
The new eco – conscious, connected driver is influencing both the manufacturing, purchase and use of the car of the future, and modern manufacturers will ironically take more away from this driver, even as the value proposition increases. Drivers of the future will be mere passengers of connectivity as the ultimate goal is to create a lifestyle aspiration.
In the future, it is predicted that our relationship with our cars will become infinitely more intimate. For example, let’s assume you, the reader, make plans to go to a restaurant with your partner. You find a place you would like to visit and save it on your phone, the car recognises this save, navigates you to your destination, even picks out parking recommendations based on learned habits of whether you prefer to park closer or further away from establishments depending on parking costs. You will then exit the vehicle to find navigation options to your chosen restaurant. However, to achieve this level of connectivity, we surprisingly need to be living in a far more connected society, where the sharing of information and customisation is as intrinsic as breathing to allow it to become truly embedded in daily actions.
Challenges Ahead
The rise of the connected car will arrive in revolutionary increments, in this there is no doubt. However, there is also little doubt that the future of the car industry has never been under as much pressure as it is today, increasing demands from environmentalists and legislators alike place questions over automotive development and provide very little answers in return.
For example, let’s turn our gaze onto the trailblazers at Tesla. Anxious to sell their technology and cement their vision in history as one of the first mass providers of the electric automotive vehicle, they are producing and selling cars which are often beyond the spirit of recognised regulation. And it is the regulators in this case who were forced into playing catch up. The conundrum being, that if it is outside current regulations, is it allowed at all?
What we all understand a truly smart car to be however, is one that is linked to our new limbs (otherwise known as smartphones) this car will know exactly who we are as we enter a vehicle, our preferred radio, seat and even heat settings that will be automatically updated upon entry. It will drive us to our destinations, with little intervention, on motorway networks that are connected whilst conversing with nearby cars to help regulate and monitor our collective speeds, because that is smart.
Meeting these challenges in tandem with manufacturers is the dedicated team at Abbey Industrial Solutions. As a specialist service provider, Abbey work closely with a vast range of leading car manufacturers and tier 1 suppliers such as Vauxhall, Nissan and Marelli to supply a range of leading industrial tooling solutions designed to facilitate the future. At Abbey, we provide complete end-to-end management and implementation of tooling suites designed around evolving market and customer needs.
Our exclusive relationships with an array of leading suppliers of DC tooling solutions, uniquely places and equips the Abbey team to provide ultimate tooling solutions befitting individual site needs.
Contact the team at Abbey Industrial Solutions today to learn how we can help you maximise your manufacturing productivity: discover@abbeyis.co.uk | 01924 224240
