From seat belts to autonomous vehicles, the automotive industry has undergone a spectacular evolution over the last century. A look back at the major innovations that have shaped our modes of transport and continue to influence the mobility of tomorrow.
Safety at the heart of progress
Occupant safety has been a major driver of innovation in the automotive industry. Some of the most notable advances include:
The three-point seat belt (1959): Invented by Nils Bohlin, an engineer at Volvo, this innovation revolutionized passenger protection. Its effectiveness is such that it remains mandatory equipment on all vehicles today.
The airbag (1971): Although designed in 1952 by John W. Hetrick, the airbag did not become widespread until the 1980s. This inflatable cushion, which deploys in a few milliseconds during an impact, has considerably reduced the number of serious injuries and deaths on the roads.
These two inventions marked a turning point in the approach to passive safety, aimed at protecting occupants in the event of an accident. But the industry has also developed active safety systems, intended to prevent accidents:
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) (1978): First introduced by Mercedes-Benz, ABS prevents the wheels from locking during emergency braking, allowing the driver to maintain control of the vehicle.
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) (1995): Developed jointly by Mercedes-Benz and Bosch, ESP corrects the vehicle's trajectory by acting independently on each wheel, thus reducing the risk of skidding.
The quest for performance and efficiency
Beyond safety, manufacturers have sought to improve vehicle performance and efficiency:
Electronic fuel injection (1980s): By replacing carburetors, this system allowed more precise management of the fuel supply, thus improving engine performance while reducing consumption and pollutant emissions.
Hybrid and electric engines (1997 and 2008): The launch of the Toyota Prius in 1997 marked the beginning of the era of hybrid vehicles, combining combustion and electric engines. In 2008, Tesla took a new step with its Roadster, the first mass-produced 100% electric vehicle, paving the way for more sustainable mobility.
These technological advances have not only improved the energy efficiency of vehicles, but have also laid the foundations for a transition to more environmentally friendly modes of propulsion.
The era of connectivity and autonomy
The last few decades have seen the emergence of technologies that are radically transforming the driving experience:
GPS Navigation System (late 1990s): The integration of GPS into vehicles has revolutionized the way we travel, making paper maps obsolete and optimizing our journeys.
Connected vehicles and artificial intelligence (2010s to today): Modern cars have become real computers on wheels, capable of communicating with their environment, analyzing traffic conditions in real time and even making driving decisions.
Autonomous vehicles (in development): Although this technology is still in the development phase, it promises to completely redefine our relationship with mobility. Companies like Waymo, Tesla and traditional manufacturers are investing heavily in this area, with the prospect of making travel safer and more efficient.
Towards a rethought mobility
Beyond technological advances, the whole concept of mobility is evolving:
Car sharing and mobility as a service (2010s to present): The emergence of platforms such as Uber or Lyft, as well as the development of car sharing services, are challenging the traditional model of individual vehicle ownership, particularly in urban areas.
These new approaches, combined with technological advances, are shaping the contours of more flexible, more sustainable and more accessible mobility.
The future of the automobile: between challenges and opportunities
While the last hundred years have seen spectacular progress in the automotive field, the challenges ahead are just as significant:
The automotive industry is thus at a turning point in its history, having to reconcile technological innovation, environmental requirements and new consumer expectations. The inventions of the next hundred years will undoubtedly be just as revolutionary as those of the last century, profoundly reshaping our lifestyles and our relationship with mobility.