By Jeff Sanford
Detroit, Michigan — July 23, 2015 — Attendees at NACE 2015 are taking in an amazing amount of information. Industry educational organization, I-CAR, offered up a session on Vehicle Technology and Trends 2015. The amiable and entertaining Tony Nethery, from Blue Collar Collision Training, updated attendees on some of the new and fascinating technologies coming to market. What the years ahead will bring:
– Heads up displays. Jet fighter pilots have long been used to information being projected onto their windscreen. It’s not long before drivers will enjoy the same benefits.
– Staying in the lines: Electronic steering technologies and cameras are allowing new functions such as a program that keeps cars from wandering out of their lane on a highway. If the cameras and computers feel the car drifting the vehicle will readjust to stay in the lines.
– Speaking of cameras, video imaging is now common. The next step is 360-degree views and “birds eye” views. The latest Land Rovers even have a camera under the car to show the terrain the vehicle is driving on.
– New US National Highway Traffic Safety Act regulation: by 2016-2018 all cars in America will have to have back-up cameras.
– New CAFE fuel standards for 2015: Cars will have to get 50 miles to the gallon. This is driving the adoption of 6-cylinder engines. Fifty percent of Ford F-150s sold in 2014 were 6-cylinder. 3-cylinder engines are also starting to appear.
– Electric vehicles now incorporate blue in their logos. This allows rescue personnel arriving on an accident scene to know they are dealing with an electric vehicle and that they need to be aware of the risk of shocks from the battery.
– Cars have become so complex some auto-body repair shops have a new role of “research technician,” which is someone who spends their time working through repair, vehicle and parts data. This is an extension of the traditional role of estimator.
Watch collisionrepairmag.com for more coverage from NACE!
