In the early 1990s, United Services Automobile Association (USAA) recognized the need to upgrade the US military’s fleet with better vehicles. The USAA, in turn, developed a plan to upgrade all vehicles, including those in the US Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. The USAA decided to upgrade its vehicle fleet with bullet proof glass for the front glass on the vehicles. They also developed a universal bumper height adjuster that would allow vehicle owners to adjust the top of their vehicles to suit their height without having to remove or add anything to their vehicles’ already high bumpers.
The USAA also developed a universal: bulletproof visor that could be easily removed for cleaning purposes without removing the visor altogether. The visor, which incorporated a thin layer of plastic high density polyethylene (HDPE), was to be placed on any vehicle without removing the visor and replacing it with a new one. This would allow military personnel to clean their visors in any locale, without worrying about what country or state it was in. The USAA also developed and patented a low-profile, biodegradable kill switch designed to disable a killing ray while the vehicle was in motion. The kill switch was integrated into a universal remote control and was easy to use, even for non-military personnel.
The USAA also improved on its glass technology: by developing toughened glass for police cars and trucks and emergency vehicles such as buses. These cars and trucks, which served both the public and law enforcement needs, needed a higher level of protection from theft and vandalism than normal cars and trucks. USAA also developed anti-glare windows for automobiles, particularly those used on streets or highways where glare can increase the risk of being hit by a vehicle in the daytime hours. High-glare windows can reduce the visibility of drivers by up to 90 percent. Replacing lower and upper window glass is an effective way to prevent glare. In addition, the windshield wipers on military Hummers and Vipers can be adjusted so they work more effectively at night and increase the safety of nighttime driving.
USA a also developed special paint jobs for its vehicles: that incorporating photo-luminescent coating technology. Photo-luminescent paint contains three types of coloring which react to the sunlight to form a protective shield on the windshield, thereby improving visibility at night. On all Hummers and Vipers, this coating also adds strength to the glass. By using high-tech, four-wheel drive lights that include LED bulbs, the windshields of military Hummers and Vipers are particularly reinforced.
The USAA also worked with the Department of Defense: on developing new helmets for their members. The new design includes shatter resistant polycarbonate lenses and impact-resistant shields that are shock-absorbing. The lenses are also capable of being polarized, which allows military personnel to see through cracks and soften impact noise. In addition, the polycarbonate used is approved for use in the military by the United States Air Force and the United States Navy.
USAA and other organizations have also worked: with trucking companies to provide warranties on their automobiles. Warranty protection extends to the frame, engine and transmission of the truck, as well as parts and labor. This helps truckers maintain the trucks they purchase and, in turn, increases their own incentive to purchase high-tech automobiles.
As automobiles become more specialized, such benefits from the association to serve an even greater purpose.
