We don’t usually notice that there are innovations on Mazda wheel hub or any other parts of car wheels. It’s not that obvious, but there are several upgrades made involving the car wheels, stuffing it with future technology.

Automiq Power & Light, a little company, has recently released their new product, the “GloRyder Wheel Light”. The name itself piqued my curiosity. According to an article from emediawire.com, GloRyder is a custom chromed aluminum device that replaces a wheel center cap and light up the entire face of the wheel.

Putting in this GloRyder doesn’t require replacing the wheels, only the center cap. It is not, even barely, a plastic cap replacement. “It is a high quality, precision made metal housing containing a sophisticated circuit board, long lasting LED’s, a photo sensor, and motion sensor, that turns on the GloRyder only at night.” Cool, isn’t it? I think this is a better way for sports fans, corporations, designers, manufacturers and the-likes to flaunt their logo and colors on the wheels in the dark. The design of the chromed cap permits the light to shimmer through those marks, showing off a fascinating hued glow.

This technology is expected to remain as an option. It will be classified among after market equipment, which could actually capture about 10 percent or more than $3 billion of $31 billion U.S. market. Is this the next big thing? In a way, it could actually contribute to traffic safety, as it increases a vehicle’s visibility on intersections. It could even be the new glowing wheel style for a new era, making the most in the world of custom hot rod design and automobile wheels.

November 2005 was when this GloRyder showed off in the 2005 SEMA show. Two years have just been enough for Automiq Power & Light to get it through field tests and make it at its perfect package. So, this year has been the best time for its readiness to be released in the world market.

At the 2006 SEMA show, GloRyder has gained the title as the “Best New Product, International Award”, proving that it doesn’t only have national stature, but international as well. Obtaining recognition through such awards and several write ups will help it move forward in the market.

So would you want this new kind of wheel?