Read the text about the car of the future.Which of the technical features described are already present in cars today, and which still have to be developed?Make a list.

The Car of the Future

It is a cold winter morning but your car is waiting for you, warm and comfortable, at exactly the temperature you like.You open the door by pressing your finger against the lock and your car greets you with a friendly “Hi, how are you?”You sit down and the computer reminds you of your schedule. You start the car. You now have a joystick, steering-by-wire, braking-by-wire.The old mechanical parts of the past are gone.

As you back out of your driveway, warning sensors warn you about objects and pedestrians in your way. Using voice commands you programme your route, check your e-mails and dictate answers, ask for local and international news, look up phone numbers, and play music.

He car also looks after your health. Sensors in your seat and armrest tell you your weight and blood pressure, while sensors in the dashboard notice if you are drowsy and vibrate the joystick to wake you.

Many of the world worries associated with driving are gone. Traffic jams don’t happen any more because your car automatically avoids crowded roads.Collision avoidance sensors prevent accidents. Speeding tickets are also a thing of the past – sensors pick up signals from traffic signs and automatically adjust your speed or stop your car. And breaking down is no longer a problem.Your car diagnoses any potential faults or worn parts and warns you and the service station.When you arrive at the service station, the spare parts are already waiting for you.

Your car can even park itself.Just stop at any parking space (your car knows, of course, if parking is permitted here) and operate the automatic parking system. The car scans the size and shape of the available space and then reverses in.

Are these sentences about the text true or false?

1. You’ll still need a key to open the door.

2. You’ll no longer have a steering wheel.

3. Sensors in the dashboard will measure your blood pressure.

4.You won’t be able to fall asleep while driving.

5.You won’t need to read traffic signs any more.

6.You’ll still need good parking skills.

 

5. Translate the article, answer the questions:

1. Will the vehicle of the future be the same as nowadays?

2. What kind of car will we have?

3. What is ABS?

4. What is used to detect objects around a vehicle?

5. Would you like to have such an automatic vehicle with ACC and ABS? Give your reasons.

Give a title to the article.

The vehicle of the future will be designed in a different way. These will be automatic vehicles with ACC or adaptive cruise control. The principle is that the car automatically adjusts its speed relative to its distance from and the speed of another vehicle. This removes the need for the driver to control the accelerator and thus the driver workload will be reduced considerably. ACC is a part of the longitudinal control of the vehicle.

The next step in automating the longitudinal control is automatic braking systems (ABS) Here, the driver will be informed by these systems that a dangerous situation can arise unless action is taken. If the driver fails to respond, the brakes will be automatically applied and vehicle stability and driver safety will be maintained.

Laser and vision technologies are used to detect objects and ensure lateral control of the vehicle. The first system will assist the driver through warnings; more advanced systems will use steer-by-wire systems to adjust the vehicle heading automatically.

The combination of lateral and longitudinal control of the vehicle motion is a new feature of the vehicle which will be used in an automated highway system.

Work with a partner. Prepare a shot presentation on one of these topics.

· Future developments in the global car market

· Fuels of the future

· The car of the future

 

Supplementary Reading.

MY SPECIALITY “AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORT ENGINEER’

Modern Automobile engineering is a branch of vehicle engineering, incorporating elements of mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and safety engineering as applied to the design, manufacture and operation of motorcycles, automobiles, buses and trucks and their respective engineering subsystems.

Automobile engineers are involved in almost every aspect of designing cars and trucks, from the initial concepts right through to manufacturing them.

Broadly speaking, Automobile engineers are separated into three main streams: product engineering, development engineering and manufacturing engineering.

· Product engineer (also called design engineer), that would design components/systems (i.e. brake engineer and battery engineer). This engineer designs and tests a part, seeing that it meets all its requirements, performs as required, material meets desired durability.

· Development engineer, that engineers the attributes of the automobile. This engineer may provide to the design engineer what spring rate he/she requires to provide the "ride" characteristics required for the automobile to perform as desired, etc.

· Manufacturing engineer, determines how to make it.

Automobile engineering employs different areas.

Safety Engineering which is the assessment of various crash scenarios and their impact on the vehicle occupants. These are tested against governmental regulations including: seat belt and air bag functionality, front and side crash worthiness, resistance to rollover.

Fuel Economy/Emissions is the measured fuel efficiency of the vehicle in miles per gallon or litres per 100 kilometres.

Vehicle Dynamics which is the vehicle's response of the following attributes: ride, handling, steering, braking, and traction. Design of the chassis systems of suspension, steering, braking, structure (frame), wheels and tires, and traction control are highly leveraged by the Vehicle Dynamics engineer to deliver the Vehicle Dynamics qualities desired.

Performance is a measurable and testable value of a vehicles ability to perform in various conditions.

Durability / Corrosion engineering is the evaluation testing of a vehicle for its useful life. This includes mileage accumulation, severe driving conditions, and corrosive salt baths.

Package / Ergonomics Engineering: Package Engineering is a discipline that designs/analyzes other areas of the vehicle like the engine compartment, and the component to component placement. Ergonomics is the discipline that assesses the occupant's access to the steering wheel, pedals, and other driver/passenger controls.

Climate Control: Climate Control is the customer’s impression of the cabin environment and level of comfort related to the temperature and humidity.

Drivability: Drivability is the vehicle’s response to general driving conditions.

Manufacturing Engineers at Automobile companies are involved in a wide array of manufacturing activities. They plan and engineer the assembly of whole vehicles as well as the individual parts that go into the vehicles. Design and layout of equipment and people, machine rates and line rates, specification of automation equipment, and manufacturing safety procedures are all some of the jobs that Manufacturing Engineers do.

Manufacturing engineers at assembly plants plan out the body shop, engine and transmission placement, and the trim and chassis area of the final assembly. Seats, radios, interior trim panels and wheels are examples of parts that need to be manufactured for a vehicle and whose creation would be overseen by an Automobile Manufacturing Engineer.

An Automobile Manufacturing Engineer typically works with statistics and process controls, validating that the process that produces parts will always produce those parts with quality. They also search for ways to continuously improve the process between product upgrades generally the engineering related pure development procedures

BRAND DNA

Every car has a brand DNA which makes it distinctive and instantly recognizable. When you see a BMW or Rover, for example, you know exactly what it is. The importance of national culture in brand DNA is critical, even though global takeovers, mergers, and partnerships are constantly reshaping the car industry. Volvo, based in Sweden, is now owned by an American company, and Britain’s Jaguar, Rolls-Royce, and Bentley are no longer British-owned. Chrysler, that most American of manufactures, is now part of a German company. Spain’s Seat and the Czech car maker Skoda are owned by Germany’s Volkswagen. And General Motors has controlled Sweden’s Saab for a number of years.

Brand DNA consists of corporate identity and an unmistakable design which is influenced by culture. ‘Britishness’ or ‘Frenchness’ is important. But how can ‘Americanness’ or ‘Italianess’ be defined by a few hundred pounds of sheet metal bent over a frame and set down on four wheels?

To Fiat, Italian means ‘sporty’. “People buy Italian cars because they look Italian”, said Richard Gadeselli, head of corporate affairs for Fiat Auto Seicento (Fiat’s smallest car) has a sporty feel. In everything we design, we try and strive for that. If we took the badges off, people would say, ‘I don’t know what that is, but it feels Italian.’

Similarly, Japanese design is unmistakably Japanese because of its Zen-like purity and simplicity. Akira Fujimoto, chief editor of Japan’s Car Styling magazine, says that the level of detail is the key to Japanese design, “With an American car, you can see the differences at 300 meters. With a Japanese car, you see the differences at three meters. Japan is a small country so there’s no need to see the differences from far away.”

Peter Horbury, chief designer for Volvo Cars, although British himself, says he believes the Swedish essence of Volvo is something the company should keep even if it is owned by Ford Motor Co. But what is Swedishness? “Swedish cars are safe, practical, and functional and have a timeless quality.”

 

THE ROLLS-ROYCE

When you first glimpse the new Rolls-Royce, you will be seeing the latest refinements in technology and elegance for the world's most luxurious motor car.

The new sleek appearance has been achieved through the subtlest of changes to the classic grill design. Still made by hand and stamped with the craftsman's own insignia. The new proportions combined with a reshaped air dam have streamlined the front, while the integrated bumpers of colour coded sills continue the smooth line around the car to the rear.

By adding new and larger 16-inch road wheels with specially designed lower profile tyres there is a noticeable improvement in road holding, responsiveness, handling and above all comfort. Moreover, the new wheels contribute appreciably to the new profile in the quest for higher standards of luxury and comfort for driver and passenger alike.

The new interior presents some thoughtful innovations. An adjustable tilt steering wheel column, linked to the seat position memory, swings up to allow easy entry and exit when the door is opened or when the key is removed from the ignition.

The redesigned center armrest now houses the CD multichanger as well as the telephone for convenience and accessibility. The new center console sweeps up to

the restyled fascia with the veneered panels revealing the cigar lighter and the new in-car entertainment controls which have been regrouped for simple operation. A new four by thirty Watt speaker system with increased dynamic capacity and low listening volume gives improved presence and clarity. The new center console also provides independent air-conditioning to the rear compartment through separate volume and directional controls.

A new seat design has improved comfort and support, while providing increased head room. All carefully handcrafted in the finest leather and burr walnut veneer.

Ever since 1904 when Henry Royce first produced his astonishing advance in smoother, quieter and more reliable motoring, the marque of Rolls-Royce has always held the pursuit of excellence in engineering, constantly seeking refinements.

The increased power of the 6.75 liter Rolls-Royce V8 engine gives confidence, comfort and safety in equal measure. Still assembled by hand to tolerances of ten thousandths of an inch, this finely balanced engine harnesses the latest electronic management systems. So many Rolls-Royce engineering advances have contributed to safer driving throughout the history of motoring. Safety derived through immense power in reserve for safer overtaking. Side impact protection bars pioneered by Rolls-Royce in 1981.

The most sensitive adaptive ride control that monitors the acceleration, braking, and cornering style every one hundredth of a second to ensure the car is kept smooth and level.

Full-sized driver and passenger airbags neatly housed in the immaculate interior have long been standard. The commanding driving position supported by the new economically designed seats contributes to the safety of the driver.

This combination of safety and elegance, the fusion of advanced technology with traditional craftsmanship is the very latest development in the pursuit of motoring excellence.

To ride in the new Rolls-Royce is to experience the ultimate in luxury motoring. To own the new Rolls-Royce is to be counted amongst the most successful and deserving people in the world.