Relying on Features for Competitive Advantages in the Automotive Industry
The automotive industry is highly competitive with dozens of automakers competing for a limited number of sales each year. The industry does endure quite a bit of risk with regard to new vehicle development. For example, the average investment to bring a new vehicle model to market is upwards of 1 billion US dollars. Frequently the success of a new model is based entirely on customer tastes and preferences. An automaker could have some financial concerns if a new model is not well received, be it for aesthetic reasons or simply for not having the latest features.
Due to this reality, automakers are constantly looking ways to gain any advantage over their competitors. In the past the focus was on reliability and fuel efficiency, however, with the advancement and cost reduction of high tech features this focus has shifted.
In today's market automakers are looking to provide users with unique features to enhance convenience and the driving experience. A wide range of features from heated wiper pads to heads up displays have been added in the hopes of gaining any edge on the competition
One technology that is becoming common place in modern day vehicles is that of automatic windshield wiper systems. These systems activate when the presence of rain is detected by a light-based sensor. The next differentiating factor that automakers have been struggling with is the ability to have wiper systems accurately adjust to the intensity of rainfall with a high level of efficacy.
Podium Automotive has developed a sensor for automatic wiper systems that does just that. Podium’s sensor can detect the precise intensity of rainfall, therefore allowing for wiper systems to ensure maximum efficiency in rain removal without the need for human intervention. The sensor is not only small, very affordable and simple due to being made with off the shelf components, but addresses one of the main limitations the automotive industry has encountered with existing sensor technology and false positives. Podium has further developed an effective internationally patented sensor to detect frozen winter precipitation that can be combined with the above rain sensor for windshield wiper efficacy or side-mirror /rear-defrost applications.
Convenience features such as these will help facilitate the automotive industry and assist automakers in providing stand-out technology to differentiate themselves from the rest of the market and attract the eyes of the consumer.
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