How wrong is the concept of designing a product with absolute knowledge of its technical “flaws”?
In the previous articles I raise all the imperfections that, coldly, can be observed in the technical aspect of the manufacture of a car. The aim of this paper is to analyze how “perfect” a car should be.
If to achieve maximum aerodynamic efficiency, the shapes must be free of surface discontinuities, with curved volumes and smooth formal transitions we will have the following options: considering that to achieve the aforementioned objectives the surfaces of a bodywork refrain from sudden changes of section, dimensions outside of a car would need to be immense to manage to locate four passengers.
The big cities would not support vehicles three meters wide by seven meters long... If we also consider that this car is suitable for long trips, it must have enough space for passengers' luggage... And the variants are many... Ease of access, interior comfort, ergonomics, etc.
Always remember that behind every question you ask yourself in a tone of how do you not enliven and improve this or that detail? , designers, engineers and marketing strategists have a satisfactory answer, we may not like it, but large automakers always consider all possible circumstances.
While the system binds us to oil companies, which delay the development of vehicles driven by alternative energy sources, the reality is that the other sources do not yet have a level of development sufficient to install and displace contemporary systems.
The prototype “FCX” developed by Honda is a very interesting concept, it has an electric motor powered by hydrogen that gives it an autonomy of more than 350 km. General Motors developed the “Hy-Wire” which has hydrogen batteries, this gas produces electric energy to drive it without producing polluting fumes (only water vapor). The problem: a safe and inexpensive way to store hydrogen should be developed, not to mention the high cost of electrolysis that is the process of obtaining such an element. This could be a great geographical barrier.
A benefit can bring a problem and vice versa.
Sometimes certain technological aberrations correspond to great successes of those who know the needs of the user. It is important that you understand well what you read. If you take into account the above notes you'll think I'm a bit critical of contemporary vehicles, the truth is, yes, I am.
But keep it clear that I am not criticised, but I consider all the aspects involved. Just as I highlighted mistakes before, today I explain what are the advantages these “imperfections” generate. The idea is to be based on solid arguments. Prove that I can see the disadvantages with knowledge of the reasons for which they originated.
© Adrián Blanco 2004 — Prohibited the total or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —