ABSTRACT 
The purpose of this paper is to compare the technology used in new cars with the technology used in new buildings, and to identify the potential for applying additional technology in new buildings. The authors draw on their knowledge of both new cars and new buildings to present a list of sensors, computers, controls and displays used in new cars that can provide similar and significant opportunities for our new buildings. Some thoughts on how this new technology could be integrated into new buildings are also discussed. The authors hope that calling attention to using new car technology as a model for new building technology will stimulate recognition of the potential for new buildings, and ultimately lead to the implementation of similar technological improvements in new buildings.

INTRODUCTION 
A great deal of new technology is available for buildings. Smart Buildings and Intelligent Buildings are labels that have been around for years. But this paper will show that although this wealth of new technology for buildings exists in pieces and as products from many different companies, virtually no newly constructed building utilizes a significant amount of this new technology. Most buildings constructed today are almost identical to the buildings of the 1970's. Even though new materials, design and construction methods, and new ASHRAE building codes have made major improvements in new buildings, these buildings still look and operate much like they did twenty years ago. While it is true that most new buildings have new technology in the form of new equipment and insulation, there is little new technology for the building occupants to see and use.

In contrast, every new automobile - regardless of its price - is filled with new technology compared to the automobile of the 1970's. A new car typically comes with eleven separate computers, has around thirty seven sensors, and provides about twenty electronic display and control functions. It does this for as little as $20,000, and the new car information and control system commonly requires little or no maintenance or repair for a period of three to five years. This technology is often visible, it can be used by the driver and passengers, it is generally STANDARD on new cars, and it is inexpensive and reliable. There is much fancier technology available if you want to pay for it, but the main point is that the majority of the new automotive technology is found on every new car.

Even with all this new technology, today's cars are much more reliable and have significantly reduced maintenance requirements. In the 1970s, an automobile needed a tune up every 10,000 miles. Today, a typical new car does not need a tune up for 100,000 miles. Older cars needed new brakes about every 20,000 miles. Now it's every 50,000 miles. One of the authors bought a new mini van in 1998, and did not need to take it back to the dealer for any service for 40,000 miles! The vehicle did get several oil changes in that period, but no mechanical or electrical work had to be performed.

In comparison, our buildings need maintenance people from the moment we start using them. We're not talking about janitorial work, but about real maintenance of lights, air conditioners, switches, controls, doors and windows. This is like the old days with our cars, when we started making a list of things to be fixed as soon as we drove the car off the dealer's lot. Why can't a new building operate for six months, a year, or even several years without needing any maintenance? Our cars do.

What is the potential for using reliable, comprehensive, integrated, and inexpensive components in our new buildings to create a transparent and efficient information and control system? And what should we do in terms of buying new buildings? It is clear that progress in adapting and implementing technology for new buildings has a long way to go. Nonetheless, we should demand more technology - a lot more. Technological improvements should be standard features that come with every new building without question rather than options that add significant cost to the building. The only question should be where do we draw the line between standard features and additional new, super high tech technology that we will pay extra for?

FEATURES OF AUTOMOBILES THAT WE COULD USE IN BUILDINGS 
Individual Control Systems: One of the most noticeable features of new automobile technology is how it provides the driver and often the passengers with individual control systems. Compared to a building, a new car has far more sensors, controls and displays for a much smaller space. There are individually controllable air supplies for the driver and the front passenger. Large vehicles often have air controls for the rear seat passengers too. Temperature ranges for heating or air conditioning are individually controllable, often for the front passenger as well as the driver. The air velocity is controllable with a multispeed fan. The outlet vents are movable and can direct the airflow onto or away from the person. The amount of ventilation air can be controlled by selecting fresh air or recirculation. Some lights such as headlights and interior dome lights are automatic with their sensors. Other lights are individually controllable. The driver or the passenger can turn on selected interior lights, can often dim these lights, and can direct the light to the area where it is needed. The moon roof can be opened or closed by the driver or front passenger. Both front seats are individually adjustable for horizontal position, height, tilt, and back support; and many are heated, too. In addition, in some cars, these individually settings or preferences for functions like HVAC and seat positions are provided through a memory setting tied to an electronic key.

Compare this technology to the control systems currently available in a common new building. A typical room in a new building may have a thermostat with a control setpoint and a temperature display at that location. It also usually has an unseen VAV control function, and in a few instances a humidistat with a setpoint control and a display of the relative humidity at that location. Lighting is controlled with a single light switch or possibly a single occupancy sensor for lighting. Otherwise, the occupants most likely have no other sensors, controls or displays in that room.

In addition to these personal comfort controls, the new car also a large number of automatic control systems to optimize and control its own operation. Engine control systems insure fuel efficiency and reduce air pollutants from the combustion process. Sensors for inlet air temperature and relative humidity allow optimum fuel flow control and optimum combustion. System computer modules also control the ABS, transmission, cruise control, and body controller.

Display Systems: In terms of maintenance and repair needs, new cars tell the owner much of what needs to be done, and certainly notify us whenever one of our major systems is in need of attention. The new car has sensors that report tire pressure, unclosed doors, lights or other controls left on, unfastened seatbelts, brake fluid status, and many other operational features related to the safety of the car and the occupants. Even a cursory comparison shows that our new buildings lag very far behind the existing use of technology in new cars.

Much of the information on car maintenance and safety is aimed at the driver. What comparable information does a building operator get about maintenance needs of the building or the various rooms in a building? Things that would be helpful to know include whether the air handling system filters were dirty, whether the refrigerant was at the proper level, whether sensors were working properly, whether lights were burned out, or whether the doors were left open.

The present system in buildings is essentially a manual system. Filters are checked manually on a time schedule. Maintenance workers often depend on "human" sensors to notify them of burned-out lights, improperly functioning photosensors, or temperature problems in individual rooms.

Options: New cars have options, and new buildings have options-but these mean very different things. An option available for a new car means that the item or function can be installed on the car at extra cost-but it does not need any additional design engineering, integration or testing. For a building, an option is an item or function that an owner wants to add at extra cost, but most often requires expensive additional design, engineering integration and testing work before it can be installed and operated.

Table 1 below summarizes many of the sensor control and display functions of new cars, and provides a model for desired technology in new buildings.