Since the whole point of creating the Howzabout site is to draw the attention of the automobile manufacturing community, I figured we can up our chances by giving them more bang for the buck. Below is a list of proposed improvements and a quick explanation of each. If, upon greater reflection, it turns out one of these ideas warrants more serious attention, we can give it a more thorough treatment.
- Built-in window shades for increased sunblockage, privacy and heat retention
- Integrated flashlight that charges from the alternator for emergency situations
- Underseat, fireproof lock boxes for greater protection of valuables
- Integrated computer technologies in cars enhances a digital lifestyle
Any more car related ideas? Please submit one in a comment, and I’ll figure out a way we can display them better. (I’m not looking to reinvent the wheel here; I’d be appreciative to hear from folks with WordPress experience that have suggestions for how best to handle a growing list of additional new ideas which may take on a life of their own.) Thanks in advance for taking part in building the Howzabout community.
April 22nd, 2007 at 9:20 am
Great ideas, all of them. I have an idea if taken seriously could make millions of dollars. But, it needs to be taken seriously and a solution arrived at that can be sold relatively cheap and all over the country and world. Fairly recently, I spent almost a thousand dollars to try and stop an oil leak from my car. The dealership could not fix the problem without more money and then they could not guarantee the results.
That being said, I propose a gadget or an under the engine snap on filter that would absorb leaks and be changeable in between oil changes. The filter should be large enough to cover the engine underneath and snap on fairly easy. No more leaks in your driveway or any cement surface. The device would have to be tough enough not to come off during the average operation of the vehicle. I feel that this type of product would be in great demand because late model cars are sold in the millions and many very probably have leaks. Please give me your thoughts.
April 22nd, 2007 at 6:52 pm
A diaper for older cars. I like it!
Seriously, in an odd way this is taking the value of Depends and bringing it to the automotive world. I think when you say filter, you are talking about a drip pan of sorts, right? This idea does what I really think the best sorts of innovations do, they appropriate existing techniques and make them more polished. Everyone has seen the old cardboard under the car routine.
There might be technical problems pulling this off, but what about a version designed for sitting in the driveway or garage. It could be made out of a dark, recyclable and absorbent material. It could be weighted to keep it from blowing away, and would look better and last longer than an old box.
April 23rd, 2007 at 4:32 pm
I want to get away from something on the floor or ground. I am looking for a part to be manufactured and sold that actually attaches to the car to absorb the oil drippings. If properly manufactured, it would be a one size fits all template that would fit any car or truck. The filter would be something along the lines of a filter used in the home. The bed or catcher would be light weight metal or preferably flexible plastic. It would be engineered to attached “firmly” underneath under the engine, oil pan, and transmission pan. The filter (maybe 1.5 inches thick by maybe 2 feet long) should be very simple, but very functional. This could be a gold mine.