Application of Electronic Systems at Ford

The microcomputer technology has been improving rapidly in terms of processing power, cost, size and reliability. It has now become cost effective in the automobile and its applications within the automotive manufacturing system have been rapidly increasing. This paper discusses some advanced concepts for automotive controls. It explains how the speed and power of the chip computer is utilized for real time integrated controls and how loops are closed for adaptive controls. The worrisome question of how the service industry will handle these new controls is addressed with emphasis on the computer's ability to diagnose its own control systems. Finally, the rapidly spreading use of microprocessors in the automotive manufacturing plants is described, and the resulting opportunities in mass production functional control are indicated.