With the progress of the times, automotive technology has also been continuously innovated, and the application of new automotive technologies will bring people a more convenient and comfortable experience, and promote the development of the automotive market in large strides. So, what new automotive technologies are currently expected to be put into market use? Let’s take a look.
1. L3 level autonomous driving technology
Autonomous driving technology can rely on the collaboration of artificial intelligence, visual computing, radar, monitoring devices and global positioning systems to allow vehicles to drive automatically and safely without the active operation of humans.
However, autonomous driving technology is also divided into L0-L5 levels, and only levels above L3 can be regarded as true autonomous driving. At present, the automatic driving system of many domestic models is still at the L2 level, that is, the first level of automatic driving assistance is realized through the ACC adaptive endurance system + lane departure system.
Compared with the more common L2 level unmanned driving at this stage, the driver of the L3 vehicle can get a rest, take away the attention from the road environment, and do his own thing, and the driver only needs to take over when the vehicle needs it.
Baidu Apollo has made significant progress in driverless technology, and many car companies have launched cooperation with it. In 2019, more models equipped with L3 autonomous driving technology will enter the market. Automobile companies such as GAC New Energy, Chery Automobile, Hongqi Automobile, Xiaopeng Automobile have announced plans for mass production models of L3 autonomous driving.
2. 5G technology
The current era of the Internet, from the very beginning of 1G to the current 4G, mankind has only used a few decades. And Huawei’s 5G technology, let us see the era of large-scale applications of 5G communication technology will soon come.
So what is the connection between 5G technology and automobiles? The maturity of 5G communication technology will greatly improve the level of networking and control of vehicles, making it possible to achieve real-time networking between cars and cars, cars and roads, cars and people, and cars and the Internet. Through body sensors and road information collection systems, Generating massive amounts of data, achieving efficient transmission through 5G technology, and low latency in high-density vehicle scenarios, enables the Internet to monitor, dispatch, and manage vehicles, people, roads, and objects in a reasonable manner.
In addition, 5G technology can achieve zero-error high-definition maps, making it more convenient for passengers to watch high-definition movies in the car. Of course, artificial intelligence technology will also improve the accuracy and practicability of speech recognition due to the addition of 5G technology. 5G technology is also crucial to the development of autonomous driving technology.
3. Electronic exterior rearview mirror
The principle of the electronic exterior rearview mirror is very simple. It is to replace the traditional exterior rearview mirror with a smaller camera, and install a display in the car to display the external scene. The advantage of electronic exterior rearview mirrors is that a wider field of view can be obtained, while a smaller camera will bring lower wind resistance. Electronic exterior mirrors not only stop at the concept, the new Audi e-tron, Japan’s local Lexus ES, and McLaren Speedtail have begun to use this technology (the McLaren Speedtail can be retracted into the body in the speed mode to reach 400km /h speed).
4. Wire control brake
Most of the brake systems of the vehicles we currently drive use hydraulic brakes. Its basic principle is that when the driver steps on the brakes, the brake oil in the brake master cylinder will be pressurized, and the fluid will transmit the pressure through the pipeline. To the pistons of the brake calipers of each wheel, the pistons drive the brake calipers to clamp the brake discs to generate huge friction to slow the vehicle. Wire-controlled brake, simple understanding is the electric switch version of the disc brake. It does not need to undergo oil pressure conversion, but directly allows the electric unit to drive the piston to clamp the brake pads to achieve the braking effect, thereby realizing more direct management of the braking system by the electrical signal. It is reported that the brake-by-wire system produced by Brembo will be mass-produced by 2020.
5. Head-up display (HUD)
A Japanese company can cover the windshield with a film containing a light-reactive material. A laser projector installed on the dashboard can activate this material so that the windshield can display navigation, vehicle speed, rotation speed, reminder lights, etc. Key Information. Combined with body sensors, the driver can more intuitively perceive pedestrians and wild animals on the road, identify potential hazards, and make driving safer.
6. Hub motor
Orbis brought a very radical in-wheel motor system in 2018, abandoning the previous central motor solution, instead biasing a small and light low-torque motor to drive the wheels by driving a ring gear. The new hub motor greatly reduces the unsprung mass. This in-wheel motor system was modified on the Civic Type R, turning the Type R into a four-wheel drive vehicle with stronger performance.
7. Attention assist system
Like the attention monitor in the Cadillac Super Cruise System, an infrared camera is used to monitor the driver’s focus. If the driver’s vision leaves the road ahead for more than three seconds, the system will issue an alarm to remind you to pay attention to driving safety. If the warning is ignored for a long time, the vehicle will even slow down and stop.
8. Super Magnesium
Magnesium is not widely used in automotive materials, but the new super magnesium will change this status quo. Super magnesium is lighter than aluminum, but stronger than aluminum, at half the cost of carbon fiber. Compared with existing magnesium alloys, super magnesium has better corrosion resistance, weldability and multi-directional strength after being mixed with rare earth metals. Although its current price is 20% to 35% more expensive than aluminum, with the large-scale production of super magnesium, the cost will gradually decrease. This metal can be cast, forged or extruded, and its applications range from suspension connecting rods to valve body parts.
9. Underground data mining
WaveSense’s high-frequency ground penetrating radar can read the unique patterns of underground pipes, rocks and roots like fingerprints to help vehicles understand their exact location in the world. It was developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the US military uses it in Afghanistan to ensure precise driving along roads covered by sand. In the future, this technology can help vehicles drive in extreme environments and solve the problem of driving safety on the ground covered by snow and sand.
10. Wireless charging of electric vehicles
The wireless charging technology is to automatically connect to the grid for charging through the wireless charging source board embedded in roads and parking spaces. This technology is not only convenient and safe, but also can effectively improve the charging efficiency, reduce the vehicle’s own weight, and increase the vehicle’s cruising range.
It is reported that according to the charging principle, wireless charging technology can also be divided into: radio wave type, electromagnetic induction type, and electromagnetic resonance type. The wireless charging boards from Continental and WiTricity can transmit up to 11 kilowatts (6 to 7 kilowatts is the typical power of today’s public AC equipment).
It is foreseeable that when wireless charging technology is fully popularized, pure electric vehicles will be equipped with larger battery packs and achieve long battery life, and the charging time will be greatly shortened.