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Simplifying through complexity

I've commented before about the way in which automotive technology has change since I was an eager teenager with a set of ringspanners and sockets.

Way back in the days of my youth, any problems with "the old bomb" could usually be sorted with a handful of tools, a little knowledge, some grazed knuckles and a bit of swearing.

Back then, vehicles were mechanical devices that placed no reliance on electronics -- beyond a car-radio and a set of points, coil, condenser and plugs.

Although they broke down a lot more often and required far more maintenance, the chances were that when they did stop, you could get them up and running again without much expense and with the investment of only a little time.

My, how things have changed!

Buy any vehicle made in the last 10 years and you'll probably be bamboozled by the bewildering array of electronics that lurk in the heart of that beast.

Not only is every aspect of the engine's operation constantly monitored and adjusted by the electronic engine management system - but there's also going to be a good wad of ancillary stuff that also relies on silicon and software.

The good old "heater" has been replaced by computerised climate-control systems that will automatically switch from air-con to heating and even allow separate climate zones -- all thanks to some "smart" controllers.

That well-worn map in the glove-box has been usurped by the inbuilt GPS-based sat-nav system which will cheerfully tell you "where to go".

The good old car-stereo with its clunky row of mechanical buttons meticulously set to your favourite stations has been replaced with a full "in-car entertainment system" that will accept a wide variety of media. You can dock your i-thing, feed it memory cards, USB sticks and all manner of storage devices. The damned things even interface to your phone so as to provide hands-free operation while temporarily muting the music during a call.

Something as elementary as reversing down the driveway now also involves all manner of electronics -- with rear-view cameras and LCD displays making the whole process much easier and safer for all concerned.

And speaking of "electronically assisted driving"...

Active suspension systems turn anyone into a racing driver by dynamically adjusting various aspects of the vehicle's damping, braking and power delivery in such a way as to maximise the sometimes tenuous level of grip provided by the tires. These systems make old-fashioned ABS look positively crude.

Even the often challenging task of parallel parking can now be completely automated. Just pull up in front of the parking space and press "park". A combination of cameras and ultrasonic ranging systems, plus servo-assisted steering -- all hooked up to the "parking computer" will ensure that your vehicle is correctly positioned within the available area.

Some more expensive vehicles now also include anti-collision radar systems that will automatically warn you of impending collisions and even apply the brakes if you ignore those warnings.

If you're unfortunate enough to actually have a collision of any magnitude, accelerometers will inform a computer that will automatically inflate the air-bags and (in some cases) fire seat-belt pre-tensioners -- all in less than the blink of an eye.

Then of course, in the ultimate demonstration of computer control, there are the moves being made by Google and others to create the self-driving vehicle.

From the perspective of someone who once owned a 1938 Morris 8 that was so basic it relied on convection currents to move the cooling water through the engine -- this is all gobsmackingly amazing.

Perhaps even more amazing is that despite many predictions of EVs, flying cars, nuclear-powered vehicles etc -- right down there at the heart of today's modern vehicle is the same old arrangement of pistons, con-rods, crankshafts and poppet valves. The only difference is that these days, it's the simplest part of the whole thing rather than the most complex part.

What will cars look like in another 20-40 years I wonder?

Anyone care to hazard a guess?

How much longer will the internal combustion engine rule?

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