It is fair to say that some of them appear to be more about gimmicks than the addition of genuinely useful features. However, the new work being done by Volvo could be very important in cutting down on the number of serious accidents involving cyclists.

This is because the firm has announced the release of a cyclist detection facility which can help negate dangers such as a bike suddenly swinging out in front of the vehicle using the system.

When the car in question discovers a risk of collision such as this then it would cause an alarm to sound and the vehicle’s brakes to be put into action. The new development was shown to the world at the Geneva Motor Show and it is an update to the pedestrian detection system which Volvo brought out in 2010.

Older Systems Can’t be Upgraded

It works through the use of radar in the grille of the car, together with a camera between the windscreen and the rear view mirror. The bad news is that older Volvo cars with the initial detection system can’t just be upgraded to this new one. Because of the added complexity involved in it a more powerful processor needs to be used than was the case previously.

It is a system which needs to be put in while the vehicle is being built in the factory, so it needs to be pre ordered rather than added on later. At the moment it can be chosen as an extra on 7 of the 11 current models on offer from Volvo. In terms of cost, you can’t expect it to set you back a minimum of £1,850.

Volvo Launches Cyclist Detection Facility is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

The car in question uses a mixture of small cameras and lasers to let it work out when it is following a familiar route. It then memorises the trip. This means that it could potentially be let loose on its own for your commute to work or the daily trip to school.

The idea has been designed to cost little money and to take some of the “strain” off drivers. Of course, researchers at Google have been looking at producing something similar and have even pushed for a change to the law in California so that they can try out their car in the real world.

The Oxford version is the result of the Oxford RobotCar UK project and one of the key players is called Professor Paul Newman, who works in the university’s department of engineering science.

Testing Being Done

Prof Newman said that they are “working with” the Department of Transport in order to try and get some testing done on the UK roads. At the moment they are giving it a try in a specially built testing centre at the Begbroke Science Park in Oxfordshire which the professor described as being a “light industrial site with road markings” where the car’s navigation and control can be tested.

The key is that the vehicle simply recognises its surroundings and can take over when it is on a route it is already familiar with. A touch on the brake pedal will give full control back to the human driver.

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Self drive car technology is something which has been getting whispered about for a while and it could be that it will be with us sooner rather than later.

The latest car company to give us a hint of what this could be all about is Toyota. They have produced a short video of a Lexus LS which has been kitted out with some innovative safety functions to try and cut down the possibility of it getting into a crash.

This was released in the build up to the Consumer Electronics Show which is coming up in Las Vegas.

Talks to Other Cars

Some of the car’s features are cameras to constantly monitor the situation on the surrounding road area as well as the driver, and a built in radar. Another benefit to the new technology used on it is that it can communicate with other cars.

A spokesman for the company said that they are looking at eliminating car crashes with the vehicle and that a zero collision rate is the firm’s “ultimate aim”.

In the video we see the Lexus using the technology which the boffins at Toyota have described as “Intelligent Transport Systems”.

The vehicle checks to make sure that the driver stays awake, that the car stays on the road and that it stops at red lights. It is designed for a car which is driven by a human but it could also be used to let the vehicle take complete control.

We are also looking forward to seeing a self parking vehicle from Audi at the show in Las Vegas.

Self Driving Cars on the Way? is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

The idea with these small, collapsible cars is that you take them on your commute to work or on your city shopping trip while you leave your main car behind. They are electric powered and they could be on our roads in time for next summer according to some reports.

The main target market at the moment is cited as being the commuters who don’t live within walking distance of any public transport option. If you are in this situation then you will know that you don’t currently have many choices other than to take your car all the way to work.

Rent and Drive

What we could see in the near future is the arrival of groups of these light electric cars at renting stations near cities in the UK and other European countries. The hope is that they will help keep traffic congestion to a minimum, ease inner city parking problems and also help the environment.

Elizabeth Deakin is a city planning and transport expert from the University of California and she said that problem of commuters who live far from train station and other public transport methods has been “growing steadily” in the last half century.

Other ideas such as car sharing, bike sharing and city centre congestion charges have achieved varying degrees of success in recent years but the idea of the folding electric vehicle could be the one which finally solves the commuting problem.

Researchers at the MIT Media Lab in Massachusetts have been working on this vehicle for more than 10 years and it appears that we could see the results soon.

Folding Electric Cars on the Way in 2013? is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

It seems that some of the biggest car firms like Toyota, BMW and Mercedes are keen to turn our windscreens into big computer displays with an augmented reality element to them.

We already know that only bad boys and girls use their phone while they are driving so what should we make of the fact that we could now be sitting looking at all sorts of details in front of our noses?

Over the Limit Again?

Well, part of the stuff which has been suggested seems like common sense for a driver. For example, the directions for where you want to go to might be quite nice to have and if it brings up a warning when we accidentally slip over the speed limit then that probably deserves a big cheer. However, we aren’t so sure about the need for social media feeds to pop up on our windscreen.

Professor Anind Dey works in a place called the Human Computer Interaction Institute at Carnegie Mellon University and he says that the “ability to enhance information” which we might not otherwise get to see is invaluable.

If you already use an augmented reality app on your smart phone then you know what it is all about.  If you don’t then the Mercedes Dice concept from earlier in the year was a good example of how you could point at places as you glide past them and get details on them. Your social network buddies who drive near you show up on your screen as well. A potentially more useful detail on a GM model shows you where the edge of the road is when you get stuck in a pea souper.

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They’ve installed a giant AR simulator which pits the pubic against the driving genius Ken Block. Users sit in the centre of a large yellow circle as a virtual Ford Fiesta Rally car donuts and twirls its way around them, leaving virtual smoke and skid marks around the user. Here’s a video of one attendee getting the Ken Block AR workout:

Every user will be automatically recorded during the experience with all videos posted to YouTube for the whole world to see. There’s a fair few videos up already with users generally displaying looks of amazement, excitement or fear – we guess it is quite realistic.

Augmented reality has come such a long way in such a short space of time. It was only a year ago that people where excited about card based information kiosks. Can you imagine if this sort of tech was put into retail stores? You’d be able to try on clothes virtually, see the options on your new virtual car or just have the time of your life with a virtual rally car.

Take a look at Ford’s dedicated page for more information on how to take part.

Edit: More information

This is currently on show at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

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By using a system of resin spokes, the new airless tire from Bridgestone can provide the same shock absorption level as an inflated tire. What’s good about it is you don’t have to worry about changing a flat tire or monitoring air pressure ever again.

The idea behind the concept is similar to Michelin’s Tweel, which was introduced in 2006. It was even inspired by the wheels used by NASA’s Lunar Rover during the Apollo era. However, Bridgestone seems to have improved its design with the use of thermoplastic resin that forms the tire’s body, radiating from the inner hub to the outer rim an an angle of 45 degrees. This, when combined with a second set that runs to the opposite direction, provides added stability, strength and flexibility.

The company said that they used thermoplastic tires because it is easier to recycle, unlike the rubber used in traditional tires. Bridgestone also said that current airless tires are suitable for gold buggies and other vehicles with similar sizes. They are looking to develop the product further as soon as possible to bring the airless tires to the automotive tire market.

via: Wired

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“For 100 years, the Chevrolet brand has been focused on making advanced technology that improves customers’ lives accessible and affordable, and the Chevrolet EN-V will continue that tradition,” said Chris Perry, Chevrolet’s vice president for global and strategy, at an event celebrating the 100th anniversary of the company. “By 2030, more than 60 percent of the world’s 8 billion people will live in urban areas. The Chevrolet EN-V represents a possible solution for global customers living in markets where alternative transportation solutions are needed.”

The EN-V, which is powered by a lithium-ion battery, sports superior maneuverability and a small footprint. The vehicle can be charged from a normal wall outlet.

General Motors is not wasting time to begin building on its futuristic vehicles. Earlier this year, the company signed a memo of understanding with the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Investment and Development Co. Ltd. (SSTEC) to integrate its next concept into the Eco-City’s power communications and infrastructures. The company will be looking locations around the world for its pilot programs.

The vehicle’s ability to communicate with infrastructure and other vehicles will help reduce traffic congestion and crashes in the future.

via: General Motors

GM to test the Chevrolet EN-V in major cities worldwide is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

A group of engineers from the United Kingdom has set a new land speed record for a vehicle powered by gasification. The car, which is powered by coffee beans, is called the Coffee Car. It was created by the Teesdale Conservation Volunteers of Durham, England.

The previous world record, which was held by Americans called the “Beaver Energy,” was 47 mph. Beaver Energy is fueled by wooden pellets. Now, The Coffee car beat that record, making the car run as fast as 66.5 mph.

Gasification is done by introducing an amount of oxygen to any organic, carbon-based material (in this case, coffee beans), and by increasing its temperature to above 700 degrees Celsius, syngas (synthetic gas) is produced. Sythetic gas consists of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen, and can be burned using an internal combustion engine.

The Coffee Car shows that green energy can be used to power vehicles, and it aims to show people that a car’s performance using renewable energy is impressive. The Coffee Car has an engine that looks like the one from the Delorean, which is not a bad thing. In BBC’s video, they did not mention if the exhaust fumes smelled like a cup of brewed coffee .

via: The BBC

UK-made coffee-powered car beats the world record is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

Now, researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology and Toyota Central Research and Development Labs have come up with the first mid-drive charging system for electric vehicles in the world. The idea is based on a similar mechanism that enables trains to run under overhead wires.

The system involves electrified metal plates that are buried under city roads that “up-convert” energy through a radio frequency to a steel belt placed inside a car’s tires. It also converts up-energy to a plate that sits above the tire.

At the moment, the system’s testing has only involved low voltages, but the researchers said that it could enable electric vehicles to weigh lesser than they are today. With the system in place, electric cars will need smaller battery packs if they are going to travel to and from electrified roads.

The current Chevrolet Volt’s battery weighs a massive 435 pounds, and a lighter battery is the smart way to go. While the idea is great, installing electrified metal plates in roads can be very costly and time consuming.

via: Ubergizmo

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