Comments

I have a great deal of sympathy with Somender Singh. Like him, I have tried for almost two years to introduce a new gearing technology for transmissions to the market (if you are interested go to:- http://www.eurekamagazine.co.uk/article/3414/Gear-system-is-radical-but-workable-.aspx) Like Mr Singh, I have met with the same rhetoric and ill-considered responses from the Automotive industry... including those mentioned in the article. The industry also likes to avoid signing Non-Disclosure Agreements.... even though they wouldn't 'get out of bed' without one for their own technologies. This alone indicates their attitude to business. One problem that seems to be endemic within industry is the perception of "Not Invented Here". It seems clear that some companies appear to have their nose put out of joint when a single person, or small group of people, somehow seem to better their internal bohemoth of innovators. The other problem is that of sheer, unadulterated greed. Companies act in a way to grab ideas without paying for them. The industry accepts this behaviour as the 'norm' but they should realise that it stifles truly cooperative, inventive projects and only hinders technological progress. It is not companies that do this.... it's the people within those companies. One thing I have learnt (having been duly informed by a contact in the automotive industry) is that companies aren't willing to invest any time unless there is a Patent as it provides a certain (though not guaranteed) level of confidence that the idea can be protected. On the other hand, companies also look to 'force' this process since it gives them the opportunity to take the Patent, and use it's 'concepts' to improve their other technologies.... or file Patents with so-called innovative improvements or alternative applications. Unfortunately, this article appears to be over 3 years old and I would really like to know how Mr Singh has progressed in the following years. So if the Story Editor(s) could provide an update on his progress I would be most grateful. I would also like to think that I could possibly help him if such help would be useful. P.S. The article also appears to be unfinished as Page 3 seems to end abruptly. Is there more? Best Regards & good luck to Mr Singh for the future in all his endeavours. IanL