While concept vehicles such as the Mazda-Taiki look good on paper, are they going to be easy to fix when a customer brings
them in for a repair?
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Perhaps nothing drives the need for new technology in the shop more than new vehicles coming in for repair. Although much
has been written about the increasing use of aluminum, ultra-high-strength steel and other "exotic" metals on vehicles, here's
a look at what else collision repairers can expect to see as the current and coming years' vehicle models end up on your frame
rack or in your paint booth.
More sensors
Collision repairers are attuned to working around vehicle airbag sensors, and the increasingly common parking assist and rear-bumper
sensors. But there will be other types of sensors inside and around tomorrow's vehicles.
Audi, for example, is adding "side assist" monitors to some of its models. To alert drivers when a vehicle is in their blind
spot, a subtle yellow vertical light strip illuminates on the corresponding side-view mirror. If the driver activates a turn
signal to indicate an intention to change lanes when a vehicle is in that neighboring lane, the light strip will become brighter
and flash to alert the driver. The system uses two radar sensors in the vehicle's bumper that are activated once the vehicle
reach 35 mph. Nissan Motor Co. unveiled a new concept car designed to reduce drunk driving by detecting the driver's state of sobriety through
smell, facial monitoring and driving behavior.
An alcohol odor sensor built into the transmission shift knob can detect the presence of alcohol in the perspiration of the
driver's palm. When the alcohol level detected is above a set limit, the system automatically locks the transmission, immobilizing
the car. Alcohol odor sensors also are incorporated into the front seats to detect the presence of alcohol in the air inside
the vehicle.
The system, as well as those being designed to reduce accidents caused by driver drowsiness, includes a camera on the instrument
cluster facing the driver to monitor the driver's state of consciousness through his eyes. Another system monitors vehicle
behavior, sensing for example if the vehicle is drifting out of its lane. When either system detects signs of drowsiness,
inattentiveness or distraction in the driver, a voice and message alert is triggered and the seat belt tightens to gain the
driver's attention.
Though less high-tech, every new vehicle this fall includes a tire pressure monitoring system that includes sensors in each
wheel, including the spare. These systems may need to be recalibrated after a tire and wheel is removed or replaced. Each
vehicle has its own reset procedures, which on some vehicles even requires rotating the spare tire to ensure the valve stem
is in a certain position.
Air pressure sensors already in place in some Mercedes-Benz models may make their way into other makes and models. As part
of the SRS control system, these sensors measure the volume of the air in all of the doors under normal operating condition.
If one of these sensors detects a sudden increase in air pressure — generally caused by an impact — it serves as the first
signal of a side impact and possible need for airbag deployment. That means it's critical to put all the rubber plugs back
in the car and put the belt moldings on to ensure the door seals are intact.
New glass technology
Nanotechnology may make fogged-up windshields a thing of the past and add a new layer of complexity in the repair or replacement
of windshields.
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