Innovations at the Auto Show

From April 10 to April 29, the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City hosted the metropolitan area’s largest annual convention, The New York International Auto Show. Over one million people attended the public exhibition this year, which featured the latest concepts and production models from automobile manufacturers from all over the world. The NY auto show is one of the largest annual auto shows in the world.

Although reports have claimed that this year’s auto shows have been toned down from those of years past, due to the fiscal crisis affecting automobile makers around the world, the event wowed attendees with attractions such as a life-size model of the “Transformers” character Bumblebee, and many consumer-oriented promotions such as $50 gift cards for signing up for test drives at local dealerships. The event also allowed attendees to sit in most floor models; a fan favorite since it allows them to take photographs in their dream cars.

In addition to the expected showings of luxury cars such as Rolls Royce, Lamborghini and Bentley models, the auto show featured numerous concept cars which showed where the future of the automotive industry is headed.

Nearly all of the concept cars unveiled boasted hybrid or electric engines — some even included organic fuels, like ethanol. Other new concepts included mini cameras replacing side view and rear view mirrors and the implementation of more technologically advanced computer systems, like Microsoft’s Sync systems, in Ford vehicles.

Autonet Mobile was another innovation that made its way into many of the models shown. Autonet Mobile is a wireless Internet router that sends out a Wi-Fi signal from the car that allows its passengers to access the Internet from any remote location. The technology works on 3G cell-phones and is priced from $29 to $59 a month, depending on usage.
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