Aging cycles key to accelerated technology development.

Implications: Key automotive technologies are measured by two primary metrics:  performance and long term durability. Automotive components and systems are exposed to extreme conditions on a daily basis and OEMs must accurately simulate these in testing if they are to bring new technologies to market in a timely fashion.  

Analysis: Vehicles are now expected to last 8 - 10 years and 125K - 200K miles to meet customer expectations.  Many OEMs warranty key powertrain systems for 10 years / 100K miles and rely on accelerated aging protocols to simulate a lifetime of driving in a matter of weeks.  Engines and transmissions are run on dynamometers at full speed and load for several hundred hours, mimicking the wear and tear of 3000 - 4000 hours of real world speed at 60 mph or so.   Other components are subjected to salt spray baths, intense ultraviolet light banks, and extreme heating and cooling cycles to simulate weathering and environmental exposure.