Imagine the Car of the Future

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By tracing the progression of mobile electronics offerings in the automobile, using a through line from the past to present, may help us better understand the road ahead. The automobile's technology offerings have improved significantly, which has affected the ability of the mobile electronics industry to give the consumer upgrades and enhancements, because of the physical and electrical roadblocks created by the automakers.

A better understanding of this growth can be gained by examining two automobile icons—the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro. Artistic mobile electronics installers have used these cars as readymade palettes to make a statement about the experience of sight and sound.

Insight and knowledge about these cars can be brought to bear for a clearer glimpse of a possible future. With this article, we'll look at how these American icons played a part in automotive history as performance automobiles and ideal destinations for aftermarket car audio components. We’ll also look at their future and opportunities for mobile electronics retailers to enhance the experience.

Performance Plus ('60s)

In the 1960s, two icons emerged—the 1964 1/2 Mustang and the 1967 Camaro. A stereo tape system was one option available on the Camaro that mounted under the center of the instrument panel. At the top of the list of options was the Foundation Group that provided the basics of a push-button all-transistor AM radio and electric clock. Both radio and electric clock could be ordered separately. Next, you could rock out with an all-transistor stereo amplifier with four-speaker sound system. You could also order the AM/FM transistor radio with multiplexed system that was capable of receiving stereo broadcasts from FM stereo stations. This could even be integrated and used with the tape stereo system option.

The standard and optional equipment provided the latest in auto sound performance from an automaker for the day, but lacked real high fidelity and offered few features that allowed owners to enjoy their favorite music at the local drive-in diner and favored hangout.

Upgrades were challenging, because of the strength and thickness of the steel that held these cars together. We could attest to the difficulty of putting those 6-by-9-inch speakers in the rear package tray or adding door speakers that required steel-cutting tools and effective eye and hearing protection. If you were trying to add an aftermarket 8-track, you would have had fun adjusting the knob shafts and trimming the steel opening to fit that two-shaft radio into the dash. Once that AM/FM 8-track sound system was installed, you could pull your hair out fixing the next challenge of removing the spark-plug noise. These were some real integration challenges.

That was some early tidbits from car audio past. Looking forward to 1983, who could have predicted what was to be 25 years later?

Auto Electronics Take Hold ('80s)

The best understanding of the future comes from considering our past. Historic information can sometimes be a good indicator of what the future holds. By 1983, disco was dead, a flow of great music played on car radios, and John Runette started Installation News (it became Mobile Electronics in 1999). The hot cars for the time were still the Camaro and the Mustang, which didn't offer much cutting-edge technology or stereos with high-quality sound. The most appealing sound often emanated from a performance engine and a tuned exhaust system.

The Mustang's single-DIN head unit opening created a small mounting challenge, because the factory unit needed to be removed from the rear of the dashboard. Installing an aftermarket single-DIN head unit required you to create an ISO DIN flush-mount ring. The factory radio's brackets also needed to be cannibalized and installed on the aftermarket radio for proper mounting. And then there was the occasional need to cut and reroute the factory wiring harness that radiated noise into the tape player. Installers often left several sheets of used MU metal, that didn't solve the problem, piled under the work bench. The speaker locations were 6-by-8-inch factory for installing a 5-by-7-inch rear and 5 1/4- or 6 1/2-inch in the doors; and let us not forget the careful removal of the dashboard to change those 3 1/2-inch speakers.

The Camaro presented a different dilemma. The sort of DIN and a half-DIN factory radio required a dash kit for installing a DIN unit. If you tucked it in correctly, you could fit the Sony XK8D half-DIN motorized tray cassette player or the XE90 equalizer with a single-DIN head unit. The speaker locations were 4-by-6-inch front dashboard and 6-by-9-inch in the rear-side pillars. Both cars were a challenge when adding subwoofers.

The real focus for this article is what was available for consumer technology offerings at the time and what was proposed and produced over the past 25 years. The early 1980s saw the demise of the 8-track player, the introduction of FM radio and cassette tape, and the transition to CD. Other technologies introduced showed promise but never gained traction. Some examples were MiniDisc, cartridge CDs and Digital Audio Tape (DAT).

In the 1980s and early 1990s, many pages of print were dedicated to these automotive icons, because creative installers turned them into rolling high-fidelity show pieces. The basic shape and style of the Mustang and Camaro lasted from the early 1980s well into the 1990s.

When looking forward again, we arrive at the current models, which have inspired a reworking of the designs of the cars by Ford and Chevrolet. We face similar dilemmas in 2008, especially when we look for clues about what 2033 may bring to market.

OEM Opportunities (2000s)

Consumer electronics in the automobile have advanced far since those early days. With the current Mustang, we have a car that sounds great with impressive factory options for sound. Ford provides the classic 6-by-8-inch locations (front and rear) with more power and even a subwoofer aptly named the Shaker 500 or 1000.

The factory radio can be either a standard CD/MP3 or a full multimedia experience with DVD navigation and Sirius satellite radio. Aftermarket upgrades include iPod, Bluetooth and HD Radio technology. The radio can still be exchanged for a double-DIN multimedia head unit that can control the factory amplifier or allow the addition of aftermarket amplifiers and speakers. The factory steering wheel controls can be used with help from companies that specialize in OEM integration. Aftermarket multimedia upgrades together with select OEM integration devices give the upgrade a factory fit and finish that proves again that we can be competitive with automaker offerings providing the consumer the experience they desire.

Not to be outdone by Ford, Chevrolet is on the verge of reintroducing the Camaro. It was featured in the "Transformers" movie in 2007. But will the stereo system meet consumer standards, or will it leave room for the aftermarket to provide a better experience? Looking through the information available for this automobile, we can see glimpses of hope for the aftermarket.

Available technology options for the Camaro include Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling, a 245-watt audio system with a subwoofer and premium Boston Acoustics nine-speaker system, USB connectivity, ultrasonic rear parking assist and a remote-vehicle starting system. General Motors' OnStar telematics system, that includes turn-by-turn navigation, will be available on select models as well.

Based on what I have seen so far, I can assure you there will be no standard radio size for this automobile.

Looking at the latest pictures of the interior, it appears that the radio and climate controls are integrated and the physical dimensions of the radio and climate controls aren't fit for DIN-sized aftermarket head units.

This presents a problem for the aftermarket but opens the door for new innovation of integration solutions. So what can we expect from the next 25 years?

Mobile Hot Spot (2033)

There's no way to predict what will come, but we can make an educated guess based on our historical perspective and the application of a combined and somewhat twisted version of technology and automotive innovation forecasting. We know that processing power has much to do with what will be available for future technology advancements. But one trend is established. The automobile is becoming a consumer electronics technology hotbed. What opportunities for a progressive and adapting aftermarket could the model year 2033 Mustang and Camaro provide?

The automobile itself could change dramatically in the next twenty-five years. Cars could be powered via battery, hydrogen or even garbage, with much of the in-vehicle network infrastructure managing energy creation and output. We might assume that listening to music or watching video will still be around.

However, the delivery method could be very different, requiring only a connection to the cloud of cyberspace to give you access to this information and entertainment.

The car and driver could become part of a social network that allows you to interact with nearby cars, tap into services from local business, and interact with friends and family. The future car could provide the connection to other commuters in your area and alert you of road conditions and events that affect your trip.

Facebook- or MySpace-type social networking with natural speaking-voice interfaces could provide a distraction-free experience that connects everyone to the road, community and targeted information to make driving a pleasant and productive experience. No need to stop the car to Twitter or text; your thoughts and actions can be communicated on command. You could adjust the volume, change genre and order dinner to-go with a thought-processing technology that adapts to your mood and situation. With imagination and applied ingenuity, it could be created.

What if you could design a connected experience that defines personal preferences for food, fun and social experiences that make it seem like everyone is in the same place at the same time? Imagine enjoying a concert or movie and without leaving the car to have the experience. It could be called an "e-Drive-in."

Invitations would go out, and everyone would take a drive to meet on the Web and experience a live concert that’s shifted in time and place and delivered to everyone regardless of their location. Drivers and passengers could experience, comment on and interact with the experience as if they were at the same event. Everyone could order meals from their favorite place, while watching the concert or game and comment on the food and fun to each other. The ride would never be the same.

And as a talented industry, we would find a way to sell and install it. The aftermarket could enable the drive of the future, providing value by allowing more time for entertainment, social networking and productivity. In the future, the car would know the way to work or home and would be fully capable of getting you down the electronic highway hands-free. While many of these technologies would be delivered by automakers, the aftermarket would find the best way to enhance the experience.

These changes would trickle down to retailers and installers. Retail displays could focus on integrating and enhancing rather than replacing consumer electronics. Dashboards may not allow much opportunity for replacing components as many automobiles will present an integrated center stack allowing control of multiple. In the dash, we might find a liquid crystal display (LCD) and controls with either a touch screen or integrated controls. Looking at an example of the future, Motorola, Pininfarina and Maserati in 2005 teamed up to develop an example of what Motorola refers to as "seamless mobility," which is the ability to reach the people you need, the entertainment you love, and the information you can't live without, whether you're at the office, home or in the car.

The car itself becomes an intelligent moving network, able to interact with its passengers and keep them constantly and seamlessly connected to all the aspects of their lives. This concept is translated even into the car's interior, which is physically seamless. The technologies integrated into the Maserati dream car include a transparent heads-up display revealing the intelligent core of the vehicle. Through a central mounted navigation device, drivers can navigate through a personalized array of functions and menus. The numerous cameras positioned on the car allow drivers to share their driving experience with others. The car was created completely from renewable resources, using recycled components rather than natural materials. It also features a swappable drive system that transfers from gasoline to hybrid drive in six minutes.

Hearing announcements like this one serves to support that this forward thinking exists in the automotive and consumer electronics world. Automobiles like this one that support workload management based on the environment should be more commonplace in the future. Automobiles will look at the road, traffic and weather conditions, and the workload of the driver to make appropriate adjustments to minimize unnecessary distractions for the driver. Without a valid integrated solution, there will be little opportunity for aftermarket replacement of this type of technology implementation.

When automobiles on the road ahead communicate with each other and their environment, this could exert greater influence on decisions for the trip and the driving experience. As for how the audio system sounds, premium sound would be expected from the factory and most likely will be readily available. Connecting portable devices would be seamless and also expected. When reviewing today’s implementations we gain greater clarity about the future of mobile electronics. Today, back-up cameras, iPod adaptors and Bluetooth products drive integrated solutions. These would be run-of-the-mill items provided by the automakers in the future.

The aftermarket will most certainly find solutions to integrate the latest offerings into the automobiles using programmable wireless connections. Instead of hardwired solutions, the installer would gain access through wireless portals that provide a common connection through standardized access gateways.

Adding anything to the automobile will take a different and more advanced skill set for the mobile electronics installer. Similar to the rise of the IT professional, automobiles will be part of the Internet and require a similar professional to manage the in-vehicle network and the connection to the infrastructure and technology products. Imagine a customer wanting to network each of the automobiles in the household to connect family, friends and the coworkers. They might look for a qualified mobile IT professional.

An automotive electronics installer may use a different title, but would sell and install new software applications that allow the driver to optimize their experience by sharing music, videos and Web portals that provide exclusive private access to the customer's own information and entertainment network.

Future solutions would include mobile commerce (mCommerce) for enhanced mobile electronic shopping. The driver or passenger could order dinner on the go from a local restaurant or build a grocery list allowing a local grocer to have the shopping complete upon arrival. Wireless monitoring of the condition or status of the automobile could prompt the scheduling of service appointments. And group activities could be coordinated with family and friends. The solutions are as endless as the Internet and human imagination.

Think back a few years before the Internet. We were just getting a taste of 24-hour news on television. Then the personal computer arrived. It offered efficient word processing, a calculator and, with dial-up service, a connection to the Web. Higher-speed connections using more bandwidth changed commerce forever. Making a purchase on the Web is as commonplace as news and weather delivery.

We may be able to surmise from the past what will be in the future; however, it may be impossible to really know for sure what will be invented to provide that new paradigm shift. E-mail, text messaging, social networking, blogging and Web browsing are common practice that allow for high-impact expression and communication. We are social creatures, and technologies that enable this practices should continue to grow and help us to achieve a truly connected world.

A Bright Future

Music should still be a big part of our lives, but how we receive it in the car should change. We have acknowledged that high bandwidth connections will be available anywhere, and broad coverage of the delivery of this streaming content will offer opportunities to provide new solutions. Even your content storage will most likely reside in cyberspace and your access to it could be from any of your access points at home, in the car, at work or on the go.

Make no mistake. I’m not saying we would go out of business, but our business would need to change. We are seeing these changes now. To stay in mobile electronics retailing, transactions must be completed in a way that offers the consumer of today comfort about adding aftermarket devices to what the factory has provided.

We must look at what other progressive industries are doing to adapt. Discover who is capturing the attention of the consumer, and learn how they are doing it. Look for trends that are drawing people in, and consider how we can be part of it. How we can emphasize personalization of the automobile with our customer? What products can we offer that compel the consumer to take notice and spend their disposable income at our retail locations? We must find areas of diversification that are necessary to stay relevant. We should always live at the crossroads of the latest trend, so the consumer finds the solutions they desire in our stores.

Take a moment and look forward. Take notice of the current trend toward green and fuel-efficient automobiles. Yesterday's top sellers quickly moved down the list when fuel prices began to climb. Automakers are making great strides. The acceleration of this new 'green' fleet also requires complex networks to manage the performance.

These networks also enable technology innovations for the multimedia experience. Bluetooth is already one of the top-rated technologies for connectivity. It has gained mass acceptance due to hands-free legislation and social pressure to drive safer, while talking on a cell phone. In the past, the aftermarket might have enjoyed five years of lead time in product innovation, allowing a plethora of retail sales opportunities. Automakers are now adopting technology at a much faster rate — so rapid that some aftermarket innovations last for a year before an automaker adopts the technology and closes the door to the aftermarket.

The next 25 years may well end head unit replacement in new automobiles. Adding amplifiers and speakers could be the exception rather than the norm, and the hype of adding iPod may fade. We would see new innovations that produce opportunities for retailers who stay on point with leading-edge technology and trends, providing the consumer with endless access to entertainment and information options.

Our industry has thrived on past innovations. Even when automakers have produced challenges, we have overcome and realized some really great opportunities. This should be viewed as an indication of a bright future. As the road ahead unfolds, the mobile electronics retailer will be needed more than ever. The industry will provide abundant opportunities for retailers to pounce on.

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