Stories from the new economy: AutoHarvest

This video was created by our partner, the New Economy Initiative, and does not necessarily reflect the views of Model D Media. We all know the importance of the auto industry in the development of Detroit. Yet we often forget that in the early 20th century, Detroit was the Silicon Valley of its time -- a hotbed for innovations that "put the world on wheels." Critical inventions like Ford’s moving assembly process and Kettering’s electric starter are hallmarks of this era of innovation.

The legacy of innovation in the auto industry, however, is not a thing of the past. It endures today as the skilled workforce of engineers employed in the industry continuously produces new technologies and intellectual properties.

Unlike the old days, there now is a medium through which these technologies can be shared and commercialized across the industry. AutoHarvest is a social network/online marketplace for innovation in the auto industry. Manufacturers can crowd-source problems and patent holders can showcase their intellectual properties. Essentially, AutoHarvest creates efficiency in the transaction of intellectual properties within the auto industry.