If there is one industry not lacking for its share of gadgets, it is automotive. And the trickery doesn't end with just attempting to improve fuel economy. There is something out there for anyone who drives it, parks it, washes it, services it, insures it, regulates it and even disposes of it.
A trio of interesting tools from three distinctly auto-related walks of life have made news recently and certainly deserve mention.
The first item definitely comes out of the regulatory/green corner and employs a healthy dose of technology to identify polluters on California roads. The South Coast Air Quality District started a van-based mobile emissions testing campaign to identify polluting commuters on California roads. Using a host of infared and ultraviolet sensors, a passing vehicle's exhaust can be tested for compliance.
While you would like to think the van fires some fuel managment electronics scrambling signal at offending vehicles stopping them dead in their smelly tracks, alas they simply send a letter to the registered owner suggesting that the seek repairs and even offer some $$ to do it. Obviously not a full scale deterent or substitute for large scale California emissions testing, the pilot program is interesting and will undoubtedly prove useful in the future (2015, 2023) when stricter regulations go into effect.
Check out the article to see where the gaps in the current laws exist and how not only older (classic and plan old beaters), but also a very small percentage of out of whack modern vehicles contribute the majority of pollutants.
The next item is an ingenious solution for people who simply have no choice but to park their cars among questionable company. The idea is to strategically affix rust stickers to your vehicle (or bike)to make it appear as though it is considerably worse condition than it is. Quite an interesting approach to vehicle security and certainly much less expensive than either a full-blown alarm or higher insurance premiums.
Now, some time ago there was a TV spot that showed a person using a car cover that depicted a cruddy car to safely disguise their real vehicle underneath, and I have certainly witnessed people digging out old parking tickets to attach to their windshields in the hopes of avoiding a new one, but rust stickers are taking it in a whole new direction. My only issue with them comes back to people's inherent vanity and the idea that perception is reality. Most people are to image-conscious to leave the decals on all the time, but it isn't like you just throw them on and old anytime you go somewhere.
What's the point of actually having a ride that is in good shape if you are the only one to know it? Long way to go for a little added security. Neat trick maybe for bike messengers.
The last item is service-related and just stinks of superior design with its creative use of mechanical advantage. This seemingly simple and well thought-out car-tipping device allows someone physically turn a car over on its side for maintenance and repairs without the need of a full-scale lift or less helpful dolly. The tilter employs your own electric drill to do the heavy lifting, though it does require the battery and basic fluids to be removed.
At half the price of a real lift, however, this is extremely useful for the smaller outfit or real enthusiast types.
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