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Rick Nelson, editor in chief of Test & Measurement World and EDN, comments on test, globalization, measurement, machine vision, economics, nanotechnology, the engineering profession, and topics of general interest.

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Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Four technologies that could save Detroit

Jan 7 2009 9:56AM | Permalink |Comments (26) |

Do the Detroit automakers deserve a bailout (which I comment on here), or should they be let to go the way of the dinosaur (which I discuss here). Perhaps there is a third option. In "Four Ways for Detroit to Save Itself" from the Sunday Times, Sebastian Thrun, a professor of computer science at Stanford, and Anthony Levandowski, now a product manager at Google, begin by quoting Henry Ford: “Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” They continue, "For Detroit, there is plenty of failure. But there are also plenty of opportunities to begin again."

They go on to describe "four technologies that could be put on the road in the next several years. These technologies—some of which we invest in—are win-wins. They have the potential to improve energy efficiency, cut down on accidents, reduce pollution, and make commuting more convenient. They might even help put the American car industry back in the driver’s seat."

Those technologies, they write, include
• WiFi-like dedicated short-range communication, which enables cars to form ad hoc networks with one another and with roadway infrastructure;
• automatically controlled x-by-wire capabilities that would allow robotic cars to drive in tight formation under computer control (see my 2005 article on Levandowski's work with autonomous vehicles);
• solar-electric hybrid technology in which solar panels on a single garage provide power for 10,000 miles of driving per year; and
• smart-phone-like online communications capabilities that will help drivers find parking spaces, make restaurant reservations, and purchase songs they hear on the car radio.

What do you think? Do any or all of these ideas hold promise? And if so, can the Detroit automakers get onboard before their international competitors do?

Related entries in: Automotive |

Reader Comments

at 1/7/2009 11:22:19 AM, Helena Handbasket said:
The only idea with any merit is the ad-hoc networking, and really can't see how that's going to save Detroit. The smart phone idea is just a jumped-up mobile, and my cat produces more imaginative solutions than a solar panel on a roof. The "robotic cars driving in tight formation" idea crops up on a regular basis, only to be shot down by the obvious reliability/safety concerns. Besides, such a system already exists - it's called a "train". I don't think an IT department will be the savior of the US automakers - we need something radical like hydrogen fuel cells or warp drive, not more wi-fi and iTunes.

at 1/7/2009 1:20:26 PM, Meredith Poor said:
Car companies will have to become, essentially, computer companies to continue. The computing layers aren't hard to identify: engine and drivetrain control (the 'unconcious' part of the system), interface services (the speedometer, open door annunciator, keyless entry, etc.), user entertainment (radio, internet service, seat back TV, etc), road mesh ('taxi mode' automatic pilot), and 'motorist environment' (road hazards, weather, restaurants, gas, roadside services, etc.). The last two don't exist and would have to be implemented by all car companies simultaneously. This would create a lot of tech work for techies, the question is can you make UAW factory workers into techies?

at 1/7/2009 1:45:03 PM, R Weaver said:
Technology, quality, or product is the problem. Unless you have a technology that overcomes management's stupidity and the UAW's refusal to accept today's economic realities, there is nothing that will save the Big3 until only one is left to sell to those people who now can't buy anywhere else.

at 1/7/2009 1:52:08 PM, blindsangamon said:
Totally wrong. Look at the trend of all the Harley Davidson motorcycles on the road - essentially 50 year-old technology, and you don't see HD begging for a bail-out. The sad fact is that 80% of Americans can no longer afford to buy a new car, because of the cost of all the power accessories, computers, and unneccesary gadgets that marketing forces have decreed as 'standard' features. If, for example, Volkswagen would bring back the 1967 Beetle, a minimum-tech car, for an inflation-adjusted price of maybe $5k, they'd sell all they could build.

at 1/7/2009 2:02:26 PM, RC said:
I can't speak for everybody but I like driving myself without distractions from all of the other communication device distractions. I think it is good to have to think for yourself.

at 1/7/2009 2:05:38 PM, Vadim said:
The basic problem is fuel engine and cost.

Perhaps they should think of modular car designs, like a PC where you can have selection of components from various vendors. This will require standard interfaces but for starters they could have those just among US carmakers. Others will join if demand will exist.

That way cars can be incrementally upgraded.

at 1/7/2009 2:23:32 PM, jason said:
Look to Apple. Do the basic things right and the market will follow. Design, quality, and efficiency will save Detroit. Other car makers have simply out-designed the former Big 3 from the ground up. Their inexpensive cars are designed better and when people upgrade, they may stay with the brand. Detroit let quality languish, especially with its inexpensive models. American cars handling is pathetic whereas even a cheap Honda or VW is tight. You can put the most powerful engine in a car but if you can't feel the exhilaration, you'll probably lose the sale.

at 1/7/2009 7:15:10 PM, RobS said:
Save Detroit? By building in more technology? Hardly. What will save Detroit is a massive restructuring when the government checks stop showing up. Painful, yes. But also cleansing.

at 1/7/2009 7:32:43 PM, TedinAsia said:
Merge them together to form one automaker, that's all that will probably survive anyway. I agree with the above posters who said it all about quality and reliability. I am an expat living in Japan, my wife and I have similar cars, hers a Nissan and mine an imported Caravan, both are 7 years old with less then 50,000 miles and constantly maintained, her's has required 0 repair costs since purchase, mine is close to $8,000usd NONE of which was covered by warranty. From door locks, air conditioning(2) & transmission to fuel pumps(2) & an engine block (requiring a rebuild), not to mention the rear wiper motor & 6 right side headlights (they cant seem to find the problem), rearview mirror has been replaced 3 times (wont stay stuck to the glass) and the headliner has just been replaced.

America's big 3 lost this race, admit it and move on...

I'll pre-pay for that 67 VW Beetle if blindsangamon gets that project going !

at 1/8/2009 1:19:01 AM, panther said:
Completely wrong, just in american way. Because of great unemployment and empty wallets, people will rather buy a car with Wifi and gadgets ??? Let's consume more and more and more and industry will grow and everybody will be happy ? It goes till certain moment, you can see results now. For me solutions would be:
-people will have to behave more efficiently (not changing phone every 1 year, not changing car every 3 years, not buying bigger and bigger house, not eating every 5 minutes, save energy wherever possible, ...........)
-stop import of everything from China (customs,...) until they reach same standards of life quality (normal wages, normal working hours, no child work, democracy, no cartels, safety standards,...)
-stop outsourcing everything to east (India, China, Taiwan) as you only loose knowledge, expertise and finally have local unemployment of expensive experts
-limit crediting of people and companies to real conditions
-stop financial tricks and brokering playgrounds (hedge fonds, shorting,...)

and at the end

-Detroit should finally start to make cars simpler and more efficient (just compare US Ford cars and EU Ford cars)

at 1/8/2009 1:46:46 AM, Dominique said:
Very funnny solutions I don't think it'll save Detroit
What about smaller cars using European or Japanese technology all these car makers have European facility and they have the technology in house !
But look at yourself are you ready to ride a Ford fiesta with a 1.4l kW engine ?
the solution is in your way of thinking not in technology

at 1/8/2009 2:08:38 AM, Who cares what my name is said:
Although nothing to do with cars specifically, I believe the mindset and mentality of the US public needs to change. It will always be a challange for any country when you import most of the things you need and Mfg is non- existent. What was the last product you bought said "

at 1/8/2009 2:08:38 AM, Who cares what my name is said:
Although nothing to do with cars specifically, I believe the mindset and mentality of the US public needs to change. It will always be a challange for any country when you import most of the things you need and Mfg is non- existent. What was the last product you bought said "

at 1/8/2009 2:22:53 AM, rfgdf said:
Although nothing to do with cars specifically, I believe the mindset and mentality of the US public needs to change. It will always be a challange for any country when you import most of the things you need and Mfg is non- existent. What was the last product you bought that said "Made in the USA". The suggestions in this article are typically american. All style and no substance. The problem is not in the accessories but the cars themselves. Bigger, more powerful, fancier, more gadgets, drives itself, smart phone comm capabilities will not solve your problem it will only make you fatter!! Many of the "ideas" mentioned will probably come true, but it will probably be the Jap/Koreans etc who will adopt it first as there wont be a car industry in the US by then! Truth hurts, but unless Obama makes some drastic changes..... good luck to the UAW and the big3.

at 1/8/2009 5:22:11 AM, Jim said:
Like other comments have hinted toward as well.....why consider adding 4 more useless technologies/features?! I would rather see 4 current technologies eliminated thus reducing vehicle cost. For example, the tire pressure monitoring system, TPMS, that the federal government has jammed down our throats and is now mandated on new vehicles is an absolute joke. It's a huge cost for feature that offers little in return....in fact it only creates frustration. I'm tired of paying for features and "technology" that I don't need and don't want. I never have to worry about this on my 1985 model year vehicle. My wife's new 2008 car has had multiple issues or events, ALL due to these "features".

at 1/8/2009 6:46:27 AM, Frustrated said:
I second panther's thoughts... Thing is I'm a driver and I want a drivers car!!!! I need to be able to get in my car and drive for 500-800 miles for the weekend and not be tired at the end of the trip. I need something that goes down the road with the confidence of a Bimmer and has the reliability of a Honda. When detroit builds something like that I'll buy it, otherwise there haven't been any vehicles worthy of, even, consideration! And, what happened to the manual transmission on the Pontiac G8, how am i supposed to get around in 6 to 8 inches of snow on an automatic??? I don't want any Stability Controls, any tire pressure monitors, etc. All i need is a comfortable driving position, 200 - 300 bhp engine, 4 wheels hooked up to a suspension that is almost as firm as my Stearns&Fosters mattress, a steering wheel and a nav system or a map. Ehhh... Whatever....

at 1/8/2009 2:10:50 PM, Common sense said:
Make a medium size station wagon with no frill.
A car is a transportation unit.
Don't put more useless electronic in it. Make it in stainless steel, reletively thick so it can win a crash against a heavy Mercedes.
Make it 5 stars all around.
Put confortable and durable seat.
No electric door, window or other unreliable crap in the long term.
Automatic, airconditionning, cruise control that it.
Make it reliable an reasonable on gas.
Nobody need 200HP.
Make no advertizing, save 6K per car.
No 8K financing included in the price.
Reduce the perk to top management to 0.5%
of the net profit of the company.
Sell as low as you can.
Stand behind it if it fail, and fix the problem.

at 1/9/2009 2:14:27 PM, Meredith Poor said:
I'm definitely a fan of simplicity. When I lived in Toronto I could take a 50 year old electric street car to work. This system was probably installed at the turn of the (20th) century, so as of 1975 the network was 75 years old. The street car had probably been built in the 1930s. I didn't have to drive, buy gas, buy insurance, repair anything, or park anything in a garage. I'll bet cell phones and netbooks work in them. Bring your own technology.

at 1/9/2009 2:14:27 PM, Meredith Poor said:
I'm definitely a fan of simplicity. When I lived in Toronto I could take a 50 year old electric street car to work. This system was probably installed at the turn of the (20th) century, so as of 1975 the network was 75 years old. The street car had probably been built in the 1930s. I didn't have to drive, buy gas, buy insurance, repair anything, or park anything in a garage. I'll bet cell phones and netbooks work in them. Bring your own technology.

at 1/12/2009 2:57:07 PM, Who me? said:
Personally, I love my Escalade EXT with all its gadgets and 12 MPG. It isn't the gadgets or the gas mileage that will save Detroit. It is getting a fair return of skill and effort from their factory workes for the wages and benefits they are paid, and getting them out from under the huge UAW retirement plans they are funding. The UAW has ruined the US car makers but I blame the car makers for allowing them to do it. Unions are necessary, but must realize they have killed the goose that laid the golden eggs.

at 1/12/2009 3:04:27 PM, ideb said:
I agree with "who me". The unions need to be weaned from their preferential treatment under the law. Non union workers should be allowed to negotiate as well as individuals. This is after all reputed to be a free country. Or is it?

at 1/12/2009 3:23:08 PM, Tom Heckmann said:
Detroit and all the car maker futurists are continuing to fool themselves with the idea of technologies that drive the car for the person, and bring in communication networks and gizmos. My technically unsavy mother can barely figure out her cordless telephone, and you want to add connectivity and electronic whizbangs to her car?!

Car makers adding electronics, add weight, cost, complexity, and increased electric load to cars. Not to mention the new concerns of unauthorized access/hacking, and privacy loss, loss of direct control, and the machine 'second guessing driver intent' and you see why people resist these technologies.

Most people want a elegantly simple driving command interface, displays of the information needed to manage and maintain the car, predictable handling, comfort, and low initial, repair and maintenance costs.

The car is a symbol of American freedom... get in it, tell it what to do, how to go,and where to go! Not: Get in the car and take me there like I'm some passenger on a 4 seat rail car and talk to all my neighbors while doing it.

Cars with informed drivers in a well designed road way system (nearly all passive structures, I may add)works amazingly efficiently at getting people from A to B.

Want to save Detroit? Stop sinking money into this same panacea that we all want to float around in ultrasafe electronically automated bubble systems and IT servers. Especially since car's may be on the road 20 years easily, and the wireless codes more frequently than a set of tires.

at 1/12/2009 10:47:35 PM, justron said:
As a friend said "I love my VW its so easy to work on" Hell I love my Ford ranger its has 345,000 miles and it due for a clutch. I sure mis the burning VW on the trips to the desert, or up the grapevine.
One more friend said I love my VW Golf it gets 34 mpg" my reply was my Lincoln town car only gets 29mpg, and seats 4 with all the comforts.
I also have 500 hp Cobra, in 2ed over drive it gets 25.8. if you keep it under 70 mph. Note at 150 mph it drinks gas, its simple do not drive 150 mph. And if you drive with the front wheels off the ground you can watch the gas gauge fall,and the boost pressure go up.
The bottom line is TON MILES PER GALLON.
Ford Anglia 55 mpg Gas went to 30 cents ,Pinto 35 mpg, Wonder what they would due with new fuel management. But note only the pinto would due 150 with the new heads ETC, at 2,300 hp.
NOTE the car record If I remember right was a chevy 219 ci engine got 252 mpg.
With a lawn mower carb, gutted body,thin oils, tires bald at 60 psi.
Ton MILES PER GALLON, HP,OHMS,WATTS,BTU are just the laws.
Detroit can due it a heart beat, just call in all the patents that were stolen.
That alone would probably pay for national debte verything and a few billion leftover
electric cars are cute, where does the power come from, hydrogen cars, at how may watts to make a L of h2 ,that does not wash.
When the price of gas is how much tax.
in the laws of the universe mass wins all bets. There exceptions to the rule. A paper done by a FSU on which used more power in a life time, Prius or a Hummer 2 , the Hummer won by 1kw. But that was only ONE lifetime 350 chevy will go 400k with no problems.
The first bio fuel car was the 1914 "T" Ford, in 30's they had soy bean plastics in there car.
dyslexic untie for dogs
Why do the cabs,cops,limo,state cars,county cars, and the longest lasting car is a Ford Crown Vic/Merk/Lin

at 1/14/2009 6:41:56 AM, Spell Check said:
If engineers of the "Big 3" employ the spelling, grammar, and run-on sentence practices as much as the folks commenting here, then it's no wonder we're in trouble.

at 3/26/2009 4:53:59 PM, Wang said:
Speaking of Barack Obama: BARACK OBAMA IS AN EXCELLENT PRESIDENT!

Obama is a racial-minority individual and does not like racism:

I know it may be hard to believe.

However, it is absolutely true that Ronald Wilson Reagan committed horrible, racist, hate crimes during his presidency.

A lot of people know about Reagan's infamy.

And a lot of people will know about Reagan's infamy--even until the end of human existence: they'll find out.

Numbers 32:23: "Be sure your sins will find you out."

Respectfully Submitted by Andrew Yu-Jen Wang, J.D. Candidate
B.S., With the Highest Level of Academic Honors at Graduation, 1996
Messiah College, Grantham, PA
Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, PA, 1993

(I can type 90 words per minute, and there are thousands of copies on the Internet indicating the content of this post. And there are at least hundreds of copies in very many countries around the world.)
_________________
'If only it were possible to BAN invention that bottled up memories like scent so they never faded and never got stale.' (Once again, please consider an illustrative analogy: like scent that is held in or restrained or inhibited or suppressed or bottled up.) Off the top of my head, it came from my Lower Merion High School yearbook.

at 3/27/2009 5:57:42 AM, Douglas C Holden said:
For all of you out there that think you can fix american Automotive problems lets start with you. Go out and buy the fuel efficient cars that they have produced within the last 180 days. There is currently from 200 to 600 days worth od product sitting on the lot to be sold BUT NO BUYERS. What is being bought is SUV's and Trucks. As for high tech on a vehicle - guess you didn't know that Ford and Microsoft combined to bring grater tech to the car and of courcse GM has had onsite for years now. Drive by wire cars WILL not work with out an infrastructure rebuild and a complete retraining of the idots on the road. Just so that you underasstand I DO NOT work for any of the Big three or four, but am an independent consultant to the manufacturing world. The UAW and Auto managers are to blame for their contracts, but let us not forget the federal laws that give organized labor and unfair advantage over management. It is time for labor to compete in the business world as a business entity and stand on their own merit. I just guess that some of you need to do more research before shoot off your yappers.

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Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Four technologies that could save Detroit

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