The best and newest of the global auto parts and accessoriesy industry was on display at the recent 2004 Taipei International Auto/Motorcycle Parts & Accessories Show (Taipei AMPA 20042). The show particularly Sspotlighted at the event were the R&D achievements of Taiwanese manufacturers and the integration of their technologyical, machinery, and industrial design expertise in the creation of some of the industry's most into innovative products.

The sheer number of one-of-a-kind creations innovative products displayed this year underscores AMPA's makeover from aftermarket (AM) supermarket to the place to go to source the newest auto products and find out where the industry is going. This change reflects the an structuraloverall transformation of the local auto- parts industry from its concentration on commodity parts to the offering of high-end goods sold with an emphasis more on quality, design, and technical sophistication rather than on pricing, as was the case in the pastbefore..

Wireless Safety

Among the innovative products on display was a wireless tire pressure/temperature monitoring system (WTPMS) developed by Asia Pacific Microsystems Inc., a high-tech micro electrical- machinery system manufacturer that recently diversified into the auto- parts segment.

The innovative system comprises a dashboard-mounted liquid crystal display (LCD) with several function buttons. The unit gets its 12V DC power from the in-car cigarette- lighter plug and has a built-in wireless FSK-format signal transmission from four sensors mounted on the wheel rims. The display has a built-in siren to alert the driver, and the back-light of the LCD display turns to yellow from green when the pressure or temperature are beyond out of normal ranges.


According to Asia Pacific, the WTPMS can simultaneously monitor the pressure and temperature of all four tires to avert accident-causing blowouts, extend tire life and increase fuel efficiency. Wireless operation does away withputs paid to tangled wiring and makes installation hassle-free. Other features include real-time activation of both visual and audible warnings signals to indicate abnormal tire conditions, compatibility with all kinds of wheel rims, and a user-friendly digital receiver interface that learns transmitter ID codes during transmitter assembly and/or routine maintenance.

Asia Pacific says that sensor-on-wheel systems are better than on-tire-valve counterparts since the former provide more precise data and don't damage the valves. The company says that the sensor's built-in lithium-ion battery has a five-year life.

8-in-1 Battery Monitoring/Diagnosis System

Another clever new product on show at AMPA wasis a car- battery monitoring and pre-warning system developed by BPPower Inc. The patented and microprocessor-based digital battery analyzer can monitor the battery in real-time and indicate eight categoriestypes of useful information on the condition of the battery.


According to BPPower president Benson Huang, data can be simultaneously displayed with symbols and digits or on a scale. Such data includes status of alternator (disabled or not), battery overcharge, battery discharge, battery failure, real-time battery cranking power, battery voltage, and battery life-span indication.

Huang describes the system as a total-solution to battery monitoring and diagnosis. The unit comes in several models, including one for 12V car batteries and one for 24V DC truck batteries. In addition, the system can be developed into a handheld device for general driver or auto repair-shop use; used as an external unit for AM applications; or installed in auto instrument panel assemblies on new cars. Huang says that the innovative system has been warmly received by battery makers, instrument manufacturers and auto makers worldwide. BPPower recently moved to a new plant to expand production of the monitoring system.

In addition to its passenger- car application, Huang saysadds, the smart device can be used on airplanes, buses, yachts, motorcycles and uninterrupted power- supply (UPS) systems.

Multimedia Rearview Mirror

Wain Dart International Co., a young automobile electronic product maker, displayed a high-tech rearview mirror with an integrated safety/entertainment video display.

The patented mirror features a built-in 4 (or 2.5)-inch thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) screen with a wide view angle lens through which video programs are broadcast via the in-car VCD or DVD entertainment system. It also displays colored rearview images, and even indicates the distance (in centimeters) between the car and obstacles to the rear using a hidden camera/sensor on the rear bumper or other rear portion of the car when the driver shifts into reverse. It can also display front, left or right views with the proper camera attachments. Wain Dart produces various types of high-level charge coupling device (CCD) and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) cameras to match the rearview mirror systems.

According to Wain Dart, the intelligent rearview mirror can be used on agricultural machinery or other types of transportation vehicles. The company also offers a clip-on mirror model for the AM market.

Other products supplied by Wain Dart include interfaces for global positioning system (GPS) navigation systems, electronic digital compasses, TVs and multimedia games.

Inflatable Head Restraint

InnoBrain Tech. Co. Ltd., a high-tech firm established in 2001, demonstrated its inflatable head restraint to protect drivers' necks during traffic accidents at AMPA 2004.


InnoBrain president James Pan says that more than 50% of the traffic accident victims suffer whiplash injury to the neck due to rear impacts. Yet, there are still few head rests able to sufficiently protect the head and neck in the event of such accidents.

InnoBrain's inflatable head restraint is a U-shape inflatable airbag device that is installed in the head rest and deploys when impacts occur. The protective device cushions the neck and reduces the whiplash movement of the head. It also protects the head from the secondary impact of interior components and comes with a dorsum tag bag to improve neck support.

Pan claims that the U-shape airbag cushions the neck and head against rear, front and lateral whiplash. The lateral wing bags hold the shoulder of the occupant, while the back tag buffers the backbone against slamming and protects the head against secondary impact from interior components. The innovative inflatable protection device has a very wide application range, including on passenger cars, sports cars, buses, trains and airplanes.

According to Pan, InnoBrain developed the innovative protection device in cooperation with Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). The device has a mini CO2 canister, which inflates the cushion within 0.4 second after receiving signals from sensors around a vehicle. Pan claims that the gas canister provides rapid inflation, but costs much less than general air bag inflation devices.

The inflatable head constraint is made of thermo-PU (TPU) material, which is environmentally friendly, high-temperature resistant and lower in cost than the general nylon materials commonly used on in-car airbags. In addition, the trigger mode generates much less heat and noise than general air bags.

Pan says that his company is in talks with auto-seat makers worldwide to incorporate the protective device into the seats on new cars.

Data Dots for Theft P-prevention

DataDot Technology Taiwan Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Australia-based high-tech company, demonstrated a new breed of anti-thief technology for transportation vehicles--the DataDot, or automobile DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid).

The DataDot is a state-of-the-art identification technology, about the size of a grain of sand. DataDots are made from a high-tech polyester substrate, suspended in a clear drying adhesive with a traceable formula. Each DataDot is laser etched with unique information directly associating the asset with its owner. The adhesive shines under ultra-violet light, but many DataDots will remain hidden and thus impossible for thieves to find and remove. The DataDot system ensures that assets can be easily identified and traced back to their owner, with the use of recognized police and government databases.

According to DataDot Taiwan, information stored in the DataDots can include the vehicle identification number on your car, hull identification number on your boat, your personal drivers license number (for home asset protection), or your ABN/CAN number (for business assets protection). The company provides a wide range of solutions for domestic and commercial applications and for all vehicle types.

A senior official of DataDot Taiwan says that about 10,000 DataDots can be sprayed onto a vehicle within 15 minutes. The new anti-thief solution has reduced the rate of auto theft by 90% in Australia, the company claims. Volkswagen and many Australian auto makers have adopted the high-tech data chips to protect new car models, DataDot Taiwan claims.

Non-Ppolarity Battery Charger and Starter

Iwei Technology Co., Ltd. Showcased several new products at AMPA this year, including a mini smart jumpstart, an integrated safe charger and starter, and a complete series of polarity-protection jumpstart models incorporating polarity protection technology.

Iwei is the largest jumpstart maker in Taiwan and a supplier known for its innovation and R&D capability. After about one year of research, Iwei developed the non-polarity technology--a device (charger or jumpstart) can automatically detect and interchange polarity if connected in reverse polarity and automatically cut off the output power while releasing clamps. Moreover, the clamps will not produce an arc on contact, and with the polarity-protection technology the devices can automatically detect reverse negative and positive polarity.

Iwei has developed a mini smart jumpstart model, the MP309, with the polarity protection function. This unit will emit an alarm when the polarity connection is wrong or the clamps come into contact. It can also automatically switch the output power on or off.

Iwei also demonstrated a series of seven 12V-24V non-polarity security chargers and engineer starter models for cars, boats, recreational vehicles (RVs), light trucks and vans, golf carts, tractors, wheelchairs, standby power plants and other applications. The devices can operate in 12V or 24V mode.

Fantasy ATV Wwith Powerful Engine

Dinli Metal Industrial Co., Ltd. Demonstrated a 500cc all terrain vehicle (ATV), the most powerful ATV currently produced in Taiwan.


In addition to its 44 horsepower, four-stroke and double overhead can (DOHC) four-valve engine, the new ATV model has a state-of-the-art design.

Viewed from the front, the new ATV recalls a bird in flight. From its sleek front grill to the aerodynamic shape of the detached front fenders, this 500cc ATV seems to challenge the hold of gravity.

Dinli's powerful ATV has other outstanding attractionstraits, including a comprehensive left-hand control assembly, integrated rear foot guard, aerodynamic side panels for heat dispersion, sleek rear brake light (it iss the world's first ATV with a third- brake light), once-piece rear-suspension swing arm, one-piece aluminum side spar (another world first), sleek radiator cover, and air duct for optimum cooling.

The new ATV was designed by a group of young industrial designers inspired by the most advanced industrial design trends and aided by advanced design tools.

Nanotech Applications

Yamata Co., Ltd. Touted its "Good Burn" gasoline additive, which uses nanotech materials to upgrade the overall performance of gasoline-powered combustion engines, save energy and reduce emissions.

Yamata chairman Hwang Kuo-ta claims that the additive can increase engine horsepower, reduce fuel consumption, preventing engine knocks, decarbonize an engine's burning chambers, and protect the environment by decreasing emissions. It also lubricates the engine, forming an extremely-thin protection layer on the walls of cylinders, and stops lubricant oil leaks in engines.

According to Hwang, each bottle of Good Burn contains billions of nano electrical catalyst (volt-catalysis) particles, a kind of inorganic oxide compound. When the particle's size achieves the "nano criterion"--a size of 1-100nm, they undergo dramatic physical changes that greatly multiply the contact surface area of the particles (approximately 100 square meters for one gram of nano particles), and creates inorganic oxide compounds. The electrons in the mix of gasoline and oxygen can attach to many more hydrocarbon (HC) ions producing better carbon-atom oxidation.

According to fuel consumption and pollution test results conducted by the Industrial Technology Research Institute on a five-year-old BMW 735 sedan, Good Burn can reduce pollution exhaust by 40% to 60% and reduce fuel consumption up to 14.1%, Hwang says. He attributes the improved engine efficiency to the shortened combustion time in the engine burning chambers, which increases electrons generated by the volt-catalysis from 0.01 second at 3,000 rotations per minute (RPM) to 0.005 second.

Window Films

Nano materials are also incorporated in the photo-catalyst solar window films made by Progrex International Co., Ltd.


Progrex president K.L. Wu says his company's new window films are made with nanometer TiO2 photo-catalyst coating technology on the outermost layer to reduce harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. The TiO2 photo-catalyst layer reacts chemically with the sunlight to achieve other benefits, such as germ-resistance, deodorization, anti-pollution, and self-cleaning. The nano-material window film is also as easy to install as traditional counterparts.

In addition, Wu says, the films are made with environmentally-friendly PET material and a special-formula dry glue that leaves no glue residue on the window glass. The film can be used on various types of vehicle as well as buildings.

Progrex developed a comprehensive range of models with different heat-resistance ratings from 65% to 95% as well as visible light transmittance of 10% to 70%. All models have the 5H-grade scratch-resistance ability.

Nitrogen-Ggas Adjustable Shock Absorber

To provide the best damping capability for racing and high-end sport cars, Yi Ho Tai Co., Ltd. Demonstrated a series of top-end shock absorbers (marketed internationally under the "Oteins" brand) with both height- and damping index-adjustable functions.

Each gas/oil-separation model in the top-end series is equipped with an auxiliary nitrogen-gas canister to provide micro adjustments to the softness/hardness depending on road conditions.

Yi Ho Tai president Andy Lee stresses that the new nitrogen-adjustment shock absorbers are a new item in Taiwan and are developed especially for high-end sport car models. In addition to a dial on the tip of the piston rod to adjust damping forces, the nitrogen-gas makes micro-adjustments to achieve the best-fit damping results during high-speed driving.

Yi Ho Tai produces the series high-end shock absorbers with the most advanced equipment and imported key parts from Japan. Lee stresses that his company's new series of shock absorber parallel or improve on the damping performance of higher priced counterparts made by AMG and Brabus, the internationally famous tuning parts brands used on Mercedes-Benz and BMW luxury cars, but are only about half the price. This year, Yi Ho Tai plans to develop a series of new models for BMW E46 and Mercedes-Benz C-class sport cars.