How Automakers Are Driving Innovation
The automotive industry is driving innovation and global technological advancement and as a result, today’s automobile represents the most sophisticated technology owned by most consumers. From the early stages of planning, automakers design new vehicles with a range of diverse technologies that meet customer needs for comfort, convenience and safety while improving performance and energy efficiency. Virtually every aspect of the modern automobile is now high-tech, using state-of-the-art materials and processes that rely upon highly skilled workers.
The story of innovation
Hear Stories of Automaker Innovation.
In a recent report, the U.S. Department of Transportation called innovations by automakers a “revolution in safety.” In fact, this is the most innovative time in automotive history.
Listen to the Reports
Leaders in R&D Spending
Investing more than $100 Billion Globally on Auto R&D.
To keep pace with ever-growing consumer demands for sophisticated new technologies while staying on the cutting-edge of innovation, automakers consistently invest heavily in long-term research and development. Nearly 60,000 people in the U.S. alone are employed in automotive research and development activities.
Leaders in R&D Spending
Automakers invested nearly $105 billion globally on research and development in 2015, ranking the auto industry ahead of other technology-driven industries, including the software/internet industry and the entire global aerospace and defense industry.
Leaders in R&D Spending
patent leaders
Automakers are Leading Patent Recipients.
Annually, 3-5 percent of all patents in the U.S. are awarded to auto companies, with about 5,000 patents granted each year. To find other high-tech hallmarks of the auto industry, download this report from the Center for Automotive Research.
Center for Automotive Research Special Report: Just How High-Tech is the Automotive Industry?
Get the ReportA Skilled Workforce
To be competitive in today’s fast-paced, global marketplace, automakers depend upon educated, trained employees who can quickly develop and adopt new technologies in vehicles.
A Skilled Workforce
The automotive industry ranks the highest in engineering employment density (electrical, industrial and mechanical engineers per 1,000 workers).
A Skilled Workforce
1,900 College Degrees
Within Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio alone, there are more than 350 higher education institutions offering programs related to engineering, designing, producing and maintaining automobiles. In all, these institutions alone offer more than 1,900 distinct degrees pertinent to the auto industry, according to the Center for Automotive Research.
High-tech Materials
High-Tech Automotive Materials.
Automakers are using nanotechnology and nanomaterials to improve the performance of new cars and meet consumer needs.
High-tech Materials
Nanotechnology is the science of working with atoms and molecules to build devices.
Nanotubes
used in fuel systems, other parts since late 1990s
Nanocomposites
used in bumpers – making some 60% lighter, but twice as resistant to wear
Nanocellulose
an inexpensive alternative to carbon fiber being studied to make cars lighter and more fuel efficient
High-tech Materials
A Sample of High Tech Materials Used in Autos
Graphene
a form of carbon dubbed a “wonder material” that is 200 times stronger than steel, but as thin as an atom
Aerogel
used for insulation, the material was first developed by NASA for use in space suits
Gorilla Glass
chemically-hardened glass widely used in smartphones that is about half the weight of conventional laminated glass