The automobile is a four-wheeled vehicle used for passenger transportation and propelled by an internal combustion engine that burns a volatile fuel. The modern automobile is a complex technical system, with subsystems that each have specific design functions. The automotive industry is a vibrant economic player in today’s global economy. The United States exports cars or parts to 206 countries around the world.
The first automobiles were made by engineers such as Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler in Germany in the 1880s. By the 1910s, automobile production had become industrialized. Engineers and inventors developed better engines, materials such as rubber and plastic, and production methods that allowed more people to afford the luxury of owning their own car. Many new jobs sprang up to provide supplies for the automobile industry, including oil and gas production, roads and transportation services.
A car gives families a sense of freedom and independence that other forms of public transportation cannot match. It also allows them to avoid the costs associated with ride-sharing and taxi services, while saving time by eliminating wait times for buses or trains.
In addition to the safety and convenience that a car offers, it allows families to travel together on vacations or to sporting events. Automobiles can be customized to suit the needs of each family, such as adding child safety seats or a trunk for luggage. Families can also save money by avoiding the costs of gas, insurance and maintenance by using a car to transport their children to and from school or after-school activities.
Automobiles can be modified to meet the needs of individuals with special needs. These cars may be equipped with hand controls, wheelchair lifts and ramps for loading or unloading passengers. They can also be fitted with seat belts and airbags for the protection of disabled or injured passengers.
A car can be equipped with electronic devices to help the driver, such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and parking assist, which will warn the driver of obstacles and slow down when it is unsafe to do so. They can also be equipped with an emergency button to call 911.
There are special automobiles designed for business use, such as crane vehicles at construction sites and road rollers in warehouses, or for the rescue of fire victims and police investigations. These automobiles have additional equipment such as sirens and flashing lights, a computer that processes radar information for traffic signaling and other purposes. Cars are becoming computerized and could one day be able to drive themselves. This would free the driver to focus on other tasks or simply relax. This technology will be introduced gradually, however, to ensure that it is safe. The cars of the future will likely have many sensors and cameras that monitor conditions, such as the speed limit and road signs, and alert the driver to dangers, such as pedestrians crossing the road or straying from their lane. In addition, some of the automobiles will be able to brake or steer automatically, while others will allow the driver to take hands-free calls or text messages.
