Got sent an interesting competition brief today...

[Sam]

Brief for a competition run my autocar for university engineering, science and design students. So does anyone have any thoughts on this?

“In no more than 500 words describe an improvement (be it an invention, innovation, a legislative change, a change to corporate policy or the adoption of a new convention) which you believe would be a worthwhile benefit to the UK automotive business. You will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of how such an improvement could be made viable and what the wider implications of it might be.”

[Jay]

Make fuel cheaper for larger engined vehicles and more expensive for small engined vehicles. More people will buy larger engined vehicles, use lots of fuel razzing about  and end up paying lots, small engined cars would end up spending lots because they're lame and would have to pay more for their fuel.

I propose 20ppl for engines larger than 2.2L and £1.60 for small engines under 2.2L 

[Sam]

I was thinking along the lines of a universal feedback system, so anyone could access the data that a diagnostic port provides. This could enable you to monitor how you drive and use the car if it plotted to a programme every time you drove for fuel efficiency etc.

It could also be used to diagnose malfunctioned sensors etc so you forward your data to the chosen garage, meaning they can order in parts/carry out diagnostics over the phone. This would increase the speed that a garage could get a car in and out and increase their flow of work. Services could be a big part of this also with service centres having all info needed before you turn up.

Essentially all of this could be put together meaning that as the owner of the vehicle you no longer need v5's and sh!te like that, just a unique user number on your drivers licence and a password which allows you to plug into a vehicle; current owner enters there details, you enter yours and click 'change owner'. A cars full history could also be stored in this way, instead of a bucket load of receipts its all on the system. Details of the smallest changes or the biggest of accidents.

[stfc_gti]

may not be relevant, but introduce a minimum speed limit, fed up of incompetant drivers plodding along at 35mph down a national speed limit road, and same goes for M-ways when people plod along at 55/60

[mcgee9t2]

I was thinking along the lines of a universal feedback system, so anyone could access the data that a diagnostic port provides. This could enable you to monitor how you drive and use the car if it plotted to a programme every time you drove for fuel efficiency etc.

It could also be used to diagnose malfunctioned sensors etc so you forward your data to the chosen garage, meaning they can order in parts/carry out diagnostics over the phone. This would increase the speed that a garage could get a car in and out and increase their flow of work. Services could be a big part of this also with service centres having all info needed before you turn up.

Essentially all of this could be put together meaning that as the owner of the vehicle you no longer need v5's and sh!te like that, just a unique user number on your drivers licence and a password which allows you to plug into a vehicle; current owner enters there details, you enter yours and click 'change owner'. A cars full history could also be stored in this way, instead of a bucket load of receipts its all on the system. Details of the smallest changes or the biggest of accidents.

sounds like a good one to me.

maybe some capon insurance or insurance companies adopting the "your a good driver till your proven not to be" option instead of the "your a bad driver untill you have driven for 5years and have the ncb to back this up"

[cняis]

may not be relevant, but introduce a minimum speed limit, fed up of incompetant drivers plodding along at 35mph down a national speed limit road, and same goes for M-ways when people plod along at 55/60

I thought the current speed signs did represent a minimum 

[Mk1Macca]

Better plan...

Come up with exactly what they're asking, but don't tell them. Do it off your own back - take all the credit, make the money.

I really hate how companies do this, run a competition to get everyone else's idea by providing some crummy prize*


*I have no idea what the prize is for this, but it won't be anywhere near good enough.

[Sam]

Better plan...

Come up with exactly what they're asking, but don't tell them. Do it off your own back - take all the credit, make the money.

I really hate how companies do this, run a competition to get everyone else's idea by providing some crummy prize*


*I have no idea what the prize is for this, but it won't be anywhere near good enough.

10,000 pounds and a month internship with each of the following; mcclaren, skoda, toyota and vauxhall

[The Mighty Elvi]

Make it compulsory through legislation that every existing and planned petrol station has a hydrogen fuel pump.

http://www.h2stations.org/

[Khare]

A car that uses natural resources to replenish itself. So solar panel roof for example, to recharge batteries, KERS like F1 cars, a wind a tiny super economical 500cc 2 cylinder engine with a turbo and a supercharger to aid the batteries in moving the car, as well as driving a powerful alternator to recharge the batteries while on the go. Could also use downhills to recharge and save fuel, so coasting downhill whilst maintaining a constant speed with the alternator still spinning and recharging. The car could run off LPG, or even hydrogen to be even more eco friendly.

I think a super eco friendly car is what the future wants, as petrol will eventually run out/cost too much.