Automobiles is the branch of Engineering which deals with designing and manufacturing automobile vehicles. Automobiles are used for passenger transportation and goods transport and perform a vital role as lifeline in modern society. Today there are around 1.4 billion automobiles on the world’s roads, and they travel over three trillion miles (five trillion kilometers) per year on average.
Unlike trains and ships, which have been around for centuries, the modern car is a recent invention. During the early 20th century, the automobile dramatically transformed American life. It gave people new freedom to get jobs and spend their leisure time doing the things they loved. It also created many new businesses, such as hotels and motels, restaurants and fast food chains, gas stations, recreational facilities and amusement parks. And it contributed to the rise of middle class America.
The development of the automobile was greatly accelerated by the use of mass production techniques. Ransom Eli Olds began using assembly lines at his Oldsmobile factory in 1902. The automobile is powered by an internal combustion engine that burns fuel — usually gasoline, a liquid petroleum product. The engine’s combustion generates exhaust that contains carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. To reduce emissions, the engines of most cars are equipped with catalytic converters.
The design of an automobile depends on its intended use. Automobiles designed for off-road use must have durable, simple systems that can withstand severe overloads and extremes in operating conditions. On the other hand, automobiles built for high-speed road systems need sophisticated electronic systems to control power delivery and optimize high-speed handling and stability.