The technology in the auto industry is no exception to wheels run on engine and the internal combustion engines get the warmth of digital touch. The computers devise the difference among the same engines fitted in popular brands like Delphi, Bosch, Toyota, BMW, VW, GM and Continental. Hence the chip makers of such caliber Texas Instruments, Freescale Semiconductor, Infenion come to the picture to feed the next gen cars.
The technology has necessitated to up date the ones available for cars – from 8kb to 4- 6MB. The current flow of cars have brought in computer chips worth $2 billion which is likely to double in next three-five years. Nano and Maruti 800 have 2 or 3chips, while Hyundai i10, Chevrolet Spark hav 6-19 chips. Honda Civic and Chevrolet Cruze have got 25-30 computer chips while BMW 7 series and Mercedes S Class have 70-80 computer chips.
Ford and GM are building their cars with 8-inch touch screen with voice, audio, navigation, climate-control and other digital functions. The new technology of cars offer changed windshields, system of speed, gauge, RPM and mobile phone screen beaming on the touch screen. VW offers ADR (Automatic Distance Control) for controlling the speed, IDAS (intelligent Drive Assistance Systems) for safety, dynamics, economy, and ecological balance; ESP (Electronic Stability Program), ANB (Automatic Emergency Brake), LDW (Lane Departure Warning), Enhanced Night Vision and Perception of Vehicle Surroundings and AMK (attention control). The alert for the driver on his fatigue is recorded.
The future cars are computer-oriented being connected by software and the snags, including unexpected break downs, will be displayed immediately. There are sensors to monitor the over all functions of the car apart from providing safety. Cloud computing is feasible enabled by a PC. Computers enhance fuel efficiency, air bags, and multi-temperature air conditions. The embedded chips, assisted by Bluetooth or small net work enable change of car entry from key to passive level, opening at a distance of 1 meter. The mandatory features are increased further by the chips incorporated into the cars.