3 Modern Car Features that Will Impact an Auto Mechanic’s Life
During many eras in history, people thought about the impossible and made it a reality.
The Great Pyramids of Egypt, The Eiffel Tower, and The Burj Khalifa are all testaments to man’s sheer drive to innovate, create and impress.
Just like substantial architectural feats, the automotive industry witnessed massive changes over time.
Can you believe that humanity went from Stone Age rock-carved wheels to 18th horse buggies, and now to 21st-century driverless cars?
The human mind knows no limits!
And now, with the over-enthusiasm surrounding space exploration pioneered by billionaires Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson, the hype is getting real.
People are getting more curious about space and the planets in our galaxy.
But what will it take for humans to advance, fly high and scream “a whole new world” just like Aladdin?
What is the automotive industry’s prediction for the cars of the near future?
And how will it affect the life of mechanics?
Let’s delve deeper into analyzing three current features.
The Electric Car
It all started with “save the polar bears” and now culminating in electric cars.
The ongoing interest in saving the environment and preventing the acceleration of climate change has given birth to a generation of vehicles that are claimed to be more eco-friendly.
Are they really eco-friendly? And what will it take to get all countries to invest in them?
According to a study conducted by the University of Toronto, if a Tesla Model 3 and a Toyota RAV4 are compared, the battery-powered Tesla emits more greenhouse gas than the Toyota during assembly since its lithium batteries require metals which generate more emissions.
On the other hand, when it comes to recharging Tesla, the power can be extracted either from renewables or hydropower. In contrast, Toyota requires oil that will contribute to gas emissions.
The jury is still out on this one.
While many European countries already invest and distribute electric cars in their marketplaces, many still commute via metros and traditional fuel-powered vehicles.
However, tables might soon turn if governments start imposing carbon taxes on their citizens, prompting them to seek the electric alternative.
There’s also the issue of practicality when it comes to electric cars.
For instance, a person residing in the Netherlands might not have any problem buying an electric car. But a person who lives in Lebanon, where the electricity is unstable, will stray away from going electric.
Concerning auto mechanics, the one who’s familiar with lithium batteries and the process of their assembly will be more favored than a mechanic who sticks to fixing traditional fuel cars. Also, the toxicity of lithium batteries can be of significant concern. If a mechanic isn’t well-versed in dealing with them, they run the risk of severe poisoning.
Thus, even in the world of mechanics, specializations are emerging that will gradually disrupt the industry.
It is safe to say that electric cars are still in their infancy, and the level of development might be just able to keep up with the current challenges as long as the interest in them persists.
The Autonomous Car
When people in the 18th century imagined future transportation, they drew paintings of flying balloons and jet-packed flying people.
Well, flying balloons do exist, and there’s already the special device that’s strapped to your feet and propels you upwards through hydropower, otherwise known as flyboarding.
All it takes for an innovator to jot down their idea, put some effort, spur a bit of buzz, generate interest and make it come true.
For example, car companies focusing on speed and longevity are now going next level in their innovation: driver-less cars.
Like an airplane flying on autopilot, there are some vehicle options where the user can remove his feet from the pedal by setting a cruising speed. Also, some cars offer specific features that take control of the wheel during traffic jams or parking spaces.
However, automobile companies are now eyeing going completely autonomous. Engineers are devising plans to establish 3-D diagrams through cameras, lasers, and sensors. These will provide the cars with an internal view of what the external world looks like to maneuver itself without human intervention.
Google developed its car in 2014, called the Firefly. According to the company, Google’s car had no steering wheel since it made drivers less attentive to the road. Even though the car had an excellent design and could drive itself, its speed went up to just 25 mph, making it suitable for driving in some parts of cities but not on highways.
After Firefly failed to get picked up, Google invested their self-driving technology into Chrysler Pacifica cars instead of making their own.
And with Tesla and Uber currently testing their self-driving cars, it’s just a matter of time that car manufacturers follow suit.
So what does this mean to auto mechanics?
Cars becoming more autonomous suggests the need for more tech-savvy mechanics who understand the difference between each device and know which ones will work best. After all, self-driving cars operate differently than traditional ones.
And one mistake on the pedal of a Tesla, and the self-driving car can get immobilized. So knowing the ins and outs of a self-driving vehicle is crucial if you’re a mechanic who wants to secure a wealthy customer.
New Methods of Manufacture
The first cars might have had more straightforward designers. However, the roaring 20’s brought life and color to vehicles.
People were excited to go to lavish parties while flaunting their convertibles. But that was before the internet and computer revolution.
Currently, extensive effort is being made to re-design cars not because of vanity but rather of technology. The surge in devices like cameras, videos, GPS, and screen monitors, has directed the attention of many manufacturers towards improving connectivity.
Now manufacturers are moving a step further and using 3-D printing. While 3-D printing is not being done on a large scale, companies and even people have started making prototypes and even printing car parts.
For instance, Sterling Backus, a physicist in Colorado, made a 3-D replica of a Lamborghini Aventador for his son. The project cost him around $20,000, which Backus claimed was for STEM educational purposes.
So, how do auto mechanics fit in these modern manufacturing trends?
New manufacturing techniques mean more durability of car parts which poses a massive problem for many auto mechanics. The higher quality products last longer, and people aren’t heading to repair shops as frequently as they did ten years ago.
Moreover, people are choosing car dealerships instead of local car repair shops more often than before. Industry experts say that this shift is due to the increase in the number of people leasing their cars from dealerships.
People who live in big cities might opt for a car dealership, but others in small towns and suburbs prefer going to their local car repair, and car paint shop for regular upkeeps like tire changes and revamping their car paint.
Let’s face it, innovation in manufacturing is on the rise, and there’s no doubt that technology played a massive role in revolutionizing the automotive industry.
Hence, auto mechanics should keep their watchful eyes wide open with industry demands to keep their businesses afloat.
