Amar Bose hasn’t stopped inventing.  After creating his speaker company that employs acoustic designs he developed while studying at MIT 72 year old Amar Bose is still branching out into various other areas of research.  The most recent endeavor by Bose is a new automobile suspension system that allows a car to literally jump over potholes.  The successful test in Bose headquarters own parking lot involved a car with Bose experimental suspension passing over a sensor that caused the wheels to pull back and allow the car to pass over the pothole like it wasn’t there.  The experiment was a success.  This is one of Bose many other pursuits outside of audio.  Apparently Bose has been using his privately held company for experiments from nuclear sub technology, cold fusion and this automotive technology.  You’ve got to give the old guy credit for trying.  But this area of study is not without competition, it seems that others have invented the same and cheaper.  TRW Automotive out of Michigan has a similar high end suspension system that will do the same thing, cost much less and will be available in automobiles sooner than Bose.

Wired’s article on the topic of their auto suspension and various ways Bose research has branched out is interesting and somehow typical of Bose.  Like most of their so called innovations they’re a day late and way more than a dollar too expensive.  It’s equally suspicious how Bose maintains that reputation for being an innovator and an audiophile brand.  Even Wired contributes to the notion in this story.  It’s sad really.  Bose is the Ketchup of speakers but maintains a reputation for being an audiophile brand.  There is nothing wrong with Ketchup per se -- it’s good on Kraft Diner, but nobody puts it on a fine steak.