Sociology Research

7/29/2019 Sociology Research

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HISTORY

Automobiles changed the world in the 20th Century. They have given people the freedom to

live, work, and travel almost anywhere they want. The automobile industry has caused the suburbs togrow, and made the development of road and highway systems necessary. The manufacture, sale, and

repair of automobiles are very important to the countries that produce large amounts of manufactured

goods. But along with the advantages of automobiles, there have been disadvantages. Automobile

accidents are a leading cause of death and injury in the world, and the automobile has brought about air

and noise pollution. Despite the problems automobiles have caused, they are an important part of the

culture and economy of the world.

Before the invention of railroads, streetcars, and automobiles, people traveled to work by horse

or horse and carriage. A streetcar was a public passenger car operated by rails through the streets of

the city. Traveling by horse was a slow means of transportation, so people had to live close to wherethey worked. People tended to live on farms or in the city where the businesses were located. In the late

1800s, when railroads and streetcars were developed, people could live farther from work. The

communities that grew next to or near the central cities were called suburbs. The growth of the suburbs

dramatically increased when people started owning automobiles, because it became even easier for

people to live farther from their work. Also, businesses and stores moved to the suburbs where the

people lived.


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The travel industry grew with the invention of the automobile. When people had automobiles,

they could drive to different places to visit. People started going on vacations and spending money in

the cities they visited, which helped the economy.

In the early days of the development of the automobile, there were three sources of automobile

power steam engines, electric motors, and gasoline engines. The first self-propelled vehicles were

made during the late 1700s in Europe using steam-powered engines. Steam engines are external-

combustion engines. A steam engine works by using the heat energy of pressurized steam to push the

pistons. In the late 1800s, many Americans also experimented with steam automobiles. These

automobiles were not successful, because it took a long time for the engines to heat up, they cost a lot

to make, they caused a lot of noise, and sometimes they exploded if too much pressure built up in the

engine.

In 1891, William Morrison built the first successful electric-powered automobile in the United

States. Electric-powered automobiles were an improvement over steam-powered automobiles because

they were quiet, cost less, and they did not produce smelly fumes. The disadvantages of electric cars

were that they could only travel about 20 miles per hour, and the batteries needed to be recharged

about every 50 miles.

In 1860, Jean Lenoir of France patented an internal- combustion engine that is similar to the

type of engine used in automobiles today. Internal-combustion engines run on gasoline or diesel (oil)

fuel. Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz developed the first successful gasoline-powered automobiles

separately in 1885 in Germany. Eventually, gasoline powered engines were used for nearly all

automobiles because they provided for faster and longer trips than engines powered by electricity or

steam.

The first modern automobiles were made in Germany and France in the 1890s. Many small

companies made them by hand. Until 1900, Europe led the world in the development and production of

automobiles. During the early part of the 20th Century, the United States became one of the leading

countries in automobile production. The United States passed other countries in the number of

automobiles produced because the United States had a greater population and higher personal income

levels than the countries in Europe. The United States had more people who could afford to buy

automobiles.

Another reason that the automobile industry grew in the United States was because gasoline

prices dropped in the United States when oil was discovered in Texas in 1901. Gasoline is made from oil,

so fuel prices went down, making the automobile less expensive to operate. Also, the United States

automobile industry used mass production techniques, which further lowered the cost of owning an

automobile. Mass production techniques make goods in large quantities using standardized parts and

often using assembly lines. The production of automobiles in the United States increased rapidly in the

early 1900s from less that 5,000 in 1900 to more than 1.5 million in 1916.


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The first automobiles built for sale to the public in the United States were made by Charles and

J. Frank Duryea in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1893. The brothers founded a company in 1895 called

the Duryea Motor Wagon Company, and it was the first company in the United States to make

gasoline-powered automobiles.

Detroit soon became the Automobile Capital of the World. Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor

Company in 1903, and five years later introduced the famous Model T. This automobile was popular,

because it was the first affordable automobile made for the average American. Originally, the Model T

sold for $825 and over 17,000 were sold in the first year.

In 1913, Ford introduced the moving assembly line, which allowed his company to build

automobiles faster and at a lower cost. The frame of the car was pulled through the plant by a chain and

workers on each side added parts that were brought to them by conveyor belts. Up until this time,

workers assembled each automobile on one spot on the factory floor. With the assembly line, Ford was

able to drop the time needed to build a Model T from 12.5 hours to 2 hours and 38 minutes. This time

was eventually decreased to 1 hour and 33 minutes, which lowered the price of the Model T because the

cost of labor went down. By 1924, the price of the Model T had dropped to $290. More than 15 million

Model Ts were sold by the time the model was discontinued in 1927. The Model T changed the United

States because large scale ownership of automobiles led to the growth of the suburbs, motels,

shopping centers, and highways.

By the late 1920s, there were three major automobile companies in the United States, all

based in Michigan General Motors Company, Ford Motor Company, and the Chrysler Corporation.

The giant automobile companies wanted to produce and sell automobiles in all price ranges for people

of all ages and lifestyles. Automobiles are made in various styles two-door, four-door, small, large,

sporty, and luxurious.

In 1923, when Alfred Sloan was the president of General Motors Company, he introduced the

concept of changing model styling each year. This meant that, even though an automobile had the

same name, the body design or features offered would be changed and improved. Eventually, this

practice was used by the other automobile companies. This resulted in more frequent improvements to

automobiles because every year changes were made to introduce the new models. Sales also increased

because more people wanted to buy the new cars, because they looked different from their old ones.


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INNOVATIONS

There have been many improvements in the automobile over the past 110 years. In the early

1900s, most automobiles looked more or less like horseless carriages. There were no roofs or windows.

By 1906, automobile bodies were changed to include bumpers, a hood that covered the engine,

fenders, and lamps placed on the front as headlights.

An important invention in the development of the automobile was the electric self-starter that

was invented by Charles Kettering in 1911. General Motors Company first used the electric self-starter

in 1912. Prior to that time, automobiles had to be started with hand cranks. A crank was put into the

front of the engine and the crank had to be turned by hand until the engine started. The driver had to

stand outside to use the hand crank, which was not very comfortable when the weather was bad. It was

also difficult to start an automobile with a hand crank, because it took a lot of strength. The electric

self-starter was better, because it was easier, faster, and the driver could be inside the automobilewhen starting it.

Today, automobiles use pneumatic tires, which are rubber tires filled with air. Michelin, a

French rubber-making company, introduced the first pneumatic tires used on automobiles in 1895.

Before this time, most vehicles had wooden wheels and steel tires. Pneumatic tires were an

improvement over steel tires because they gave a smoother ride. Originally, the tires were filled with 55

to 75 pounds per square inch of air pressure. These tires were called high-pressure tires. In 1922, low-

pressure tires that held from 30 to 32 pounds per square inch were introduced. The low-pressure tires

provided for a smoother ride because they were not as hard and absorbed bumps better.

In 1939, air conditioning and automatic transmissions were introduced. The transmission

changes the gears of an automobile depending on the speed. A larger gear is used when an automobile

is starting out because a lot of force is needed. Smaller gears are used as the automobile picks up

speed. With a manual transmission, the driver presses down on a clutch pedal while shifting the gears

with a gearshift. Automatic transmissions have internal clutches that disengage the engine

automatically as the gears change. Both automatic and manual transmissions are used today.

Automatic transmissions are easier to use because the driver does not have to change gears. Manual

transmissions give the driver more control and are less expensive to make.

Each year, about 300,000 people throughout the world die in traffic accidents. The three maincauses of accidents are driver error, defective automobiles, and poor road conditions. Accident

prevention programs are aimed at these three causes. In Michigan, for example, drivers must be at least

16 years old to obtain a drivers license. Traffic rules are enforced by police. Safety features are included

in automobiles to reduce the number of injuries and deaths from accidents. The main safety features

built into automobiles are safety belts, air bags, and bumpers. Roads and highways are built with safety


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in mind. Lighting and guardrails are included in road design, and intersections, the number of lanes, and

traffic signals are all carefully planned.

When automobile engines burn gasoline, they release gases into the air and cause air pollution.

This is especially a problem in big cities such as Los Angeles where there is a lot of traffic. Government

agencies have been established to set standards for the amount of pollution that an automobile may

produce. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency enforces the standards that have

been set up by the government. There are two main ways that automobile companies have reduced the

amount of pollution caused by automobiles. Starting in the 1970s, catalytic converters were installed in

the exhaust systems of automobiles. Catalytic converters reduce pollution by minimizing the gases

released into the air. Also, automobile companies have designed automobiles to use less fuel.

Automobiles continue to be improved as we enter the 21st Century. It is expected that future

automobiles will use less fuel, cause less pollution, and be safer to drive. There will be greater use of

computers to control more of the automobiles systems, such as the suspension and navigation

systems. Electric engines are already being used on small vehicles, such as delivery trucks, that make

short trips, because electric engines produce much less pollution than internal-combustion engines.

The major countries producing automobiles today are Japan, the United States, England, France,

Germany, Spain, Sweden, and Canada. Automobiles are one of the greatest inventions of all time and

will continue to change the way we live.

FUTURE INNOVATIONS

COMPARING THE AUTO INDUSTRY to the computer industry is like comparing two

different generations of technology. Weve got super-fast smartphones and iPods streaming

Rhapsody in our pockets, but satellite radio and clunky GPS devices attached to our

dashboards.

Automakers are aware theyre a little behind the times, and by 2020, many are

promising dashboard and safety systems as sophisticated as iPads maybe even more so.

1. WifiObvious, but vital; most of the technologies on this list would be fairly useless if the car

wasnt a rolling hotspot. Several auto manufacturers are already working on developing wifi for

cars. In fact, connected cars are the third fastest-growing technological device, following

smartphones and tablets.


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Ford has introduced this in some models with their Sync system, and Toyota is working

with Intel on developing one of their own. Ideally, these systems will also have the ability to

connect to your home network, allowing you to transfer information from your computer or

laptop directly to your car.

2. Voice recognition

I take it back this is the most vital technological advancement in automobiles. If

texting increases accident rates, what will happen when drivers can tweet, update their

Facebook page, and watch videos on YouTube?

Voice recognition is still making its way from novelty to necessary, even in the

smartphone world, as its proven a difficult technology to master. But theres arguably a more

urgent need to succeed in this field for car manufacturers than in any other industry; already,

the US Department of Transportation is calling to require voice input control of smartphones,

mp3 players, tablets, and any other devices drivers may use in the car.

Unfortunately, this technology may also prove to be the most expensive for auto

makers. As of now, Apples Siri is the only voice recognition system thats been highly praised

and even Siri is a long, long way from whatever Kirk had on the Enterprise.

3. Digital dashboard

Youre on the road and its time to find a hotel. Today, you might fumble with your

phone, use an app to search for something nearby, and get directions. Or maybe youd use that

GPS device suction-cupped to your window.

But by 2020, your dashboard will likely resemble a giant iPad. Ideally, that means your

cars system can be linked to whatever cloud service your smartphones and tablets use,

allowing you to keep up with texts, calls, emails, social network updates, and apps from behind

the wheel. So when youre ready to check in, you can just open apps like HRS Hotel Portal with

a vocal command and talk your car through a map-based search, browse rates and room types,

view photos and videos (while youre parked, hopefully), and book a room.

Toyota calls it HMI (Human-Machine Interface), a system theyre already working on in

partnership with Intel and Microsoft. These digital dashboards may turn your USB mobile

broadband modem or smartphone into a wireless router, like Fords Sync system. Or they

could connect with Bluetooth devices like Kias Uvo, so making calls and finding music are all

voice-controlled.


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4. Holographic displays

GEElab (Games and Experimental Entertainment Laboratory) wins here for possibly the

best project title ever theyre currently working on an in-car entertainment system

tentatively named Enjoyable Interactions in the Rear Seat.

According to Business Review Europe, this system will combine holographic displays

with motion sensors to create applications for folks in the backseat thatll be similar to

Microsoft Kinect and Nintendo Wii. While games are the goal, the resulting holographic

technology could also be used to display dashboard and control info, as well as GPS.

Even now, some cars are equipped with technology only a step or two away from

holographics. S-class and CL-class Mercedes feature SplitView screens, which are pixelated in a

way that projects two completely different images one for the driver and one for the

passenger. However, the system is not yet legal in all states.

5. Car-to-car communication

Unlike driver-to-driver communication, this (probably) wont involve middle fingers.

Once cars are connected thanks to technologies such as Intels M2M (Machine -to-Machine),

theyll be able to share data with other cars on the road and warn drivers of accidents, as well

as figure out alternate routes based on real-time information which in turn will help cut

down on traffic and increase safety on the road.

As an example, the Car2Car Communication Consortium points out a fairly

commonplace scenario: A motorcycle is riding alongside or just behind a larger vehicle on a

main road, while you wait at an upcoming intersection to make a right turn onto that road. The

larger vehicle turns off the road, and because you still cant see the motorcycle, you pull out

right in its path. With car-to-car technology, both you and the motorcyclist would receive a

warning early on, which would likely help avoid a collision.

6. Car-to-X communication

Theres some overlap between car-to-car and car-to-X technology. BMW prefers car-to-

X, as theyre looking into designing a system that allows cars to communicate with other

systems outside of those in vehicles.

One of these research projects is known as PROTON-PLATA (programmable telematics

onboard radio), conducted by DEUFRAKO, a Franco-German cooperation in traffic research.

The project is addressing the issues posed by a wide range of digital standards and radio


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frequencies currently in use in digital broadcasting and mobile telecommunications, all of

which are continually upgraded into their next generations about every two years. Because

the life cycle of a car is significantly longer, drivers are constantly falling behind when new

systems are released.

The PROTON-PLATA project is researching whether SDR (software defined radio) is

the possible answer technology which will allow all of these systems to be implemented in a

single hardware unit.

BMWs AMULETT (active mobile accident avoidance and mitigat ion of accident effects

through cooperative data acquisition and tracking technology) project focuses on using car-to-

X systems to actually communicate with people. The system includes a radio transponder that

cyclists and pedestrians wear, which notifies the driver when the wearer is crossing the street

or stepping out from behind a parked car.

7. Digital goods

Also known as apps. A shift from hardware to software in car systems will mean that by

2020, you wont need to bring your car in for an actual installation every time you need an

upgrade. Just like with your smartphone, itll be as simple as visiting the app store. And as Car

and Driver pointed out, these systems are relatively inexpensive for car makers, as the

technology is already standard in the computer and mobile industries.

This paves the way for developers to focus on entertainment and utilities apps

specifically for the driver. Apps to find your perfect match on the road. Apps that adjust the

music to suit your mood. Apps that adjust the lighting to calm you in stressful situations. Apps

that wake you up when you start to drift off thanks to soft music and dim lights.

8. Remote control

At the Busan International Motor Show in South Korea last month, Hyundai Motor

introduced Bluelink, an IT controlling system that allows smartphone owners to find, unlock,

and start their car remotely, as well as turn on the AC and opt to receive texts if there is

damage or a break-in. BMW is working on remote-controlled parking.

The next version? Maybe an app that memorizes your preferences and utilizes GPS to

detect your proximity to your car. By the time you slide into the drivers seat, the AC is

cranked, the music is on, and theres a hot cup of coffee in the cupholder.


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9. Intuitive safety features

Safety and emergency notifications can be helpful in preventing accidents but, in many

cases, a barrage of beeps and ominous blinks only adds to a stressful driving situation.

The solution for some manufacturers is a pre-safe system. Scenario: A car in front ofyou slams on the brakes, and your car senses its too close. The system primes the brakes so

that even a light tap of the pedal will apply full force, increasing your chances of stopping in

time.

In emergencies, your car may even be able to take control and guide you to safety. For

example, if your car detects youre having a heart attack or losing consciousness, BMWs

Emergency Stop Assistant system will locate your car, flip on the emergency flashers, use

sensors and video to monitor surrounding traffic, steer you safely off the road, and place a 911

call.

10. Invisible chauffeurs and copilots

Technically, the invisible chauffeur already exists Google has been test-driving

driverless cars in California. Nevada recently approved licenses for autonomous vehicles,

meaning if you see an empty car cruise down the strip, theres actually a chance it isnt a

drunken hallucination. And General Motors claims it will have its own driverless cars on road by

2018. An invisible co-pilot, however, has already made its way into upcoming models.

Your car will help you parallel park if youve got a Lexus LS 460 L, the Advanced

Parking Guidance System asks you to align the car and put it in reverse before tapping a

button. After that, take your hands off the steering wheel, control the speed with your foot on

the brake, and let the car manueuver its way in.

Cruise control can go beyond staying at a set speed. With radar sensors on the front of

your car, the system will detect the speed of and distance between you and the car in front of

you, adjusting cruise control to keep a safe distance.

The co-pilot will also watch out for lateral collisions by using a variety of sensor

technologies lidar, radar, ultrasound, video to monitor the area surrounding the car and,

when another car or object gets too close, applying a directional impulse tug to the steering

wheel.


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11. Health monitor

Ford has announced the development of a car seat with sensors to monitor your heart

rate using electrical impulses. Mitsubishi Electric has plans to take this much further, and they

believe such an interface will be a reality within the decade.

Things like the seat position can be customized for all kinds of people, said Kiyoshi

Matsutani, Manager of Automotive Electronics Development Center, at the 2011 Tokyo Motor

Show. This is done through personal ID, facial temperature measurement, or heart-rate

measurement using a Doppler sensor. In this way, the system senses the persons health

condition on that day. The aim is to position the seat and steering to match the driver, and

provide information to help with safe driving.

12. Eco-mode

Researchers at organizations like the Continental Corporation in Germany are focusedon using technology to make cars more eco-friendly. According to Popular Mechanics,

Continental is developing an interface that includes an eco mode, which can search for the

most economical route and offer other green tips. The system rewards eco-friendly driving

behavior when the four-leaf clover display is filled green, the driver is eligible for rewards

from their dealership.

13. Financial GPS

If your future car will be able to communicate with other cars, systems, devices, and

humans, why not your bank? BMW has developed a key that functions as a credit card. In 2020,

your entire car might become one. Skymeter calls it Financial GPS.

With Financial GPS, consumers can get one bill at the end of the month for every car-

related cost: their parking, their insurance, their lease, their roads, even full repairs coverage,

said Kamal Hassan, Skymeter CEO, in a Mashable interview.

Everything would be paid automatically per minute or per mile, based on your actual

driving and parking. Drivers could then control their costs. Not driving for a week would save

you money on your lease, your insurance, and even your municipal tax bill.

This may mean were facing a future in which toll passes forever lost between car seats

have become obsolete.


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