Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Michael Schumacher making motorcycle helmets now]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/michael-schumacher-making-motorcycle-helmets-now/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/michael-schumacher-making-motorcycle-helmets-now/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/michael-schumacher-making-motorcycle-helmets-now/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click on the image for more high-res shots of the Schuberth Race helmet

Seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher doesn't seem to have any desire to take it easy after retiring from the pinnacle of motorsports. It turns out that his four-wheeled racing excellence has translated rather nicely to two, and it sounds as if the ex-champ's perfectionist attitude continues on unabated as he now begins designing helmets for Schuberth. The German producer of brain buckets had previously supplied the headgear for Schumacher as he raced in F1 and currently provides the units for Ralf Schumacher, Nick Heidfeld, Felipe Massa, Kimi Räikkönen and Mark Webber. Though no details regarding pricing or availability have been released as of yet, Schuberth assures that its new 'Schuberth Race' helmet is "an extremely lightweight and aerodynamic helmet, filled with numerous technical and safety innovations." From the looks of things, the helmet, with its orange and grey highlights, would be perfect mounted atop a KTM rider's head.

Gallery: Schumacher Schuberth Helmet


[Source: Schuberth]

Continue reading Michael Schumacher making motorcycle helmets now

 

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]]>ktmmichael schumachermichael-schumacherMichaelSchumacherschuberthschuberth helmetschuberth helmetsschuberth-helmetschuberth-helmetsSchuberthHelmetSchuberthHelmetsschumacher2008-05-12T15:32:00+00:00<![CDATA[Ghastly! Saab may have used human cadavers for safety research]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/ghastly-saab-may-have-used-human-cadavers-for-safety-research/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/ghastly-saab-may-have-used-human-cadavers-for-safety-research/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/ghastly-saab-may-have-used-human-cadavers-for-safety-research/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Vägverket, the Swedish Road Administration, is reporting that General Motors used ten human cadavers for crash research. While it isn't clear which GM vehicle hosted the corpses on their one-way trip into a wall, a spokesman for Vägverket said it was most likely the Saab brand. The spokesman was also quick to point out that all of the cadavers were people "who had donated their own bodies." (Well, that is comforting to know!)

While cadavers were used in the earliest crash tests (first started in the late 1930s), most of us were under the assumption that fully-instrumented million-dollar synthetic crash test dummies, or computer simulations, had replaced human remains in current testing. Apparently, some folks at GM may have been thinking otherwise. As of today, neither General Motors or Saab have acknowledged any tests involving dead bodies, but our hunch says this issue hasn't been laid to rest. Thanks for the tip, Will!

UPDATE: Saab called to let us know that neither it nor General Motors use "postmortem human test subjects" for safety research, nor do they have the facilities to even do so. They do, however, provide funds to certain bio-mechanical research projects, often through universities, the results of which they use to make better crash test dummies.

[Source: The Local]

 

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]]>CadaverCrash testingCrashTestingDead BodyDeadBodydummyGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGMSaab2008-05-08T16:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[It's happened: Boy hit by hybrid, mom blames quiet running]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/its-happened-boy-hit-by-hybrid-mom-blames-quiet-running/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/its-happened-boy-hit-by-hybrid-mom-blames-quiet-running/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/its-happened-boy-hit-by-hybrid-mom-blames-quiet-running/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click on the image above for our Toyota Prius gallery

When an eight-year-old boy on a bicycle gets hit by a car while riding in the middle of the street, the blame often points directly at the youth. However, if the car in question just happens to be a quiet hybrid-electric... there just may be reason to accuse the vehicle.

Last weekend, a youthful Owen Erickson was riding his two-wheeler with a friend when he was struck by a Toyota Prius and tossed onto the hood of the popular hybrid. Thankfully, he was unhurt. His mother, however, was quick to place some of the blame on the "totally silent" Prius, claiming her son never heard it coming. As a scapegoat, the hybrid-electric vehicle is taking more than its fair share of heat. Two years ago, we blogged about the silent danger of hybrids. Earlier this year, Maryland launched a study, and passed legislation aimed at vehicle noise levels (more specifically, the "lack of" audible decibels), citing a legitimate concern for the blind. Just last month, a bill was introduced in the House of Representatives to study whether or not a "minimum sound level" needs to be established for these highly-efficient silent runners.

We obviously haven't "heard" the end of this hybrid-electric argument as it begins to gain momentum around the country. Whether future Prius models are equipped with blaring sirens or not, we do know that Moms will still need to teach their children to not play in the middle of the street. Thanks for the tip, Tyler!

Gallery: 2007 Toyota Prius Touring


[Source: KARE 11]

 

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]]>dangerousdeafelectric-onlyhybridhybrid-electricnoisePriusquietsilentToyota2008-05-08T14:12:00+00:00<![CDATA[California law proposes ban on lap pets in car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/california-law-proposes-ban-on-lap-pets-in-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/california-law-proposes-ban-on-lap-pets-in-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/california-law-proposes-ban-on-lap-pets-in-car/#commentsFiled under: ,

Drivers give in to a lot of distractions behind the wheel. Phone calls, eating, drinking, and slapping the kids around are one thing, but something that's always irked us is drivers traveling with pets on their laps. Aside from the possibility of Fluffy freaking out and doing its doggone best to create a crash, we've always envisioned a Chihuahua-sized cavity in someone's chest after the airbag deploys. Well, California Assemblyman Bill Maze shares our concern and has proposed a bill to make it illegal for an animal to be held on a driver's lap while behind the wheel. The bill passed the Assembly on Monday by a vote of 44-11 and is on its way to the state Senate before landing on Arnie's desk. Here's hoping that the Governator does what's right for man and his best friend.

[Source: AP]

 

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]]>assemblybill mazeBillMazecaliforniacatdogdriving with petdriving with petsDrivingWithPetDrivingWithPetssenate2008-05-07T15:28:00+00:00<![CDATA[You know you've pushed your car too hard when...]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/you-know-youve-pushed-your-car-too-hard-when/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/you-know-youve-pushed-your-car-too-hard-when/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/you-know-youve-pushed-your-car-too-hard-when/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for a few more pics of this EVO's severed limb

...your accelerator pedal breaks clean off. Actually, the owner of this 2008 Mitsubishi EVO X GSR swears he wasn't caning the car excessively hard when his go pedal snapped in two. Posted on the evolutionm.net forums by 'DRAG', these pictures show the severed pedal in question. DRAG claims he was at a stoplight at the time (in front of some STI owners, no less) when he started to leave the light with a little "enthusiasm". As he pushed the GSR's accelerator to the floorboards, the thing's plastic arm broke off clean. Clearly frustrated with his $40,000+ automobile, DRAG called the dealer and waited for some roadside assistance that never came. To make a long story short, Mitsubishi refused to replace the pedal under warranty, but the dealership decided to pick up the tab anyway. Hopefully Mitsubishi doesn't view this case as an isolated incident caused by someone pushing their EVO too hard, because A) you should be able to push an EVO really hard and B) EVOs have been pushed to their limits while being tested by members of the automotive press and we've never heard of anything like this happening. Take a peek at some more pics of the completely cracked pedal in the gallery below. Thanks for the tip, thedriver!

UPDATE: It was actually the accelerator pedal, not the clutch pedal as originally stated. Post above has been corrected.

Gallery: 2008 Mitsubishi EVO X GSR broken clutch pedal


[Source: evolutionm.net]

 

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]]>2008 mitshbishi evo x gsr2008MitshbishiEvoXGsrbroken clutch pedalBrokenClutchPedalevo clutch pedalevo x broke clutch pedalEvoClutchPedalEvoXBrokeClutchPedal2008-05-06T10:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[It's the limo from now on: Nickleback singer gets driving ban]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/03/its-the-limo-from-now-on-nickleback-singer-gets-driving-ban/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/03/its-the-limo-from-now-on-nickleback-singer-gets-driving-ban/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/03/its-the-limo-from-now-on-nickleback-singer-gets-driving-ban/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Chad KroegerWhen you growl out lyrics like "we all just wanna be big rock stars," even satirically, as Chad Kroeger did when he laid down the vocal for Nickelback's "Rockstar," there's bound to be an overtone of schadenfreude when you get busted for acting like a rockstar. Kroeger was pinched in 2006 for driving his Lamborghini too fast and too drunk (amusingly chronicled here). The wheels of justice don't turn as fast as a lead-singer-piloted Lambo, apparently, so Kroeger's (née Turton) sentence was just recently meted out in Vancouver. Twice the legal blood alcohol level and 80 miles per hour will net you a fine of 600 Loonies (like $2,000 now that the US dollar is all Caspar Milquetoast) and a driving suspension for the rest of the year. Oh darn. I think we'd be inclined to consider ourselves lucky if we received such a light tap on the wrist, but the indignity of it all will see Kroeger appealing. When he eventually loses the second appeal, we suggest he be sentenced to writing a truly new song.

[Source: BBC]

 

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]]>chad kroegerchad kroeger sentencingChadKroegerChadKroegerSentencingdriving banDrivingBankroeger duikroeger ouiKroegerDuiKroegerOuinickelback ouinickelback sentencingnickelback singerNickelbackOuiNickelbackSentencingNickelbackSinger2008-05-03T18:33:00+00:00<![CDATA[University of Michigan to test crash-avoidance system]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/03/university-of-michigan-to-test-crash-avoidance-system/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/03/university-of-michigan-to-test-crash-avoidance-system/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/03/university-of-michigan-to-test-crash-avoidance-system/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Lane departure sensors and adaptive cruise control have helped to prevent accidents and save lives, and new technology from the University of Michigan hopes to take the those ideas to the next level. U of M's Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety System warns drivers if they're about to hit another vehicle while changing lanes; if they're about to leave the road; and if they're going to rear-end another vehicle. The system improves on existing technology by integrating data from video, radio sensors and GPS to warn drivers of dangerous situations and give them the path of least possible harm.

The university secured over $32M in funding from state and local governments plus several corporations, which will pay for the testing of 16 passenger cars and 10 commercial trucks equipped with the system. IIHS predicts that tens of thousands of lives will be saved each year if lane departure and forward crash systems are improved, so here's to hoping the Wolverines have a smash hit on their hands. No pun intended.

[Source: Detroit News]

 

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]]>accident avoidanceAccidentAvoidanceadaptive cruise controlAdaptiveCruiseControlIIHSLane departureLaneDepartureUniversity of MichiganUniversityOfMichigan2008-05-03T17:01:00+00:00<![CDATA[Toyota halts 2008 Highlander sales as part of recall]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/03/toyota-halts-2008-highlander-sales-as-part-of-recall/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/03/toyota-halts-2008-highlander-sales-as-part-of-recall/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/03/toyota-halts-2008-highlander-sales-as-part-of-recall/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Slightly more than 90,000 Toyota Highlanders are being recalled for a seatbelt problem in the third row. The recalled crossovers are all 2008 models built between May of 2007 and March of this year. The stock belts could prevent secure mounting of a rear-facing child seat in the third row, and dealers will install a redesigned part on affected Highlanders. The problem with the third row belts hasn't spawned any complaints or injuries, and owners will be notified starting in June. Still, Toyota has put the brakes on Highlander sales until current stock is retrofitted and assembly lines are resupplied with the new part.

Gallery: 2008 Toyota Highlander Sport


[Source: AP via WCVB]

 

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]]>highlander recallhighlander seatbeltHighlanderRecallHighlanderSeatbeltseatbelt recallSeatbeltRecalltoyota highlandertoyota highlander hy...toyota highlander recalltoyota highlanderstoyota recalltoyota seatbelttoyota seatbelt recallToyotaHighlanderToyotaHighlanderHy...ToyotaHighlanderRecallToyotaHighlandersToyotaRecallToyotaSeatbeltToyotaSeatbeltRecall2008-05-03T10:33:00+00:00<![CDATA[The Truth About Smart: fortwo rumors dispelled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/the-truth-about-smart-fortwo-rumors-dispelled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/the-truth-about-smart-fortwo-rumors-dispelled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/the-truth-about-smart-fortwo-rumors-dispelled/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Though Men's Vogue has already attempted to disprove the theory that only women can get away with driving one, it seems that smart has seen the need to dispel some rumors about the fortwo, their little urban runabout. Specifically, many people apparently question how large of a person the smart can easily handle, how safe a car this small could be, how much room there is for stuff and what features the fortwo is equipped with. In all honesty, the smart would probably work for a large percentage of the population of both the U.S. and the U.K., but certainly not for every situation likely to come up in everyday life. As a second car or strictly for commuting, we imagine that the smart would meet the needs of quite a few drivers who would never even consider a vehicle this small.

Just for fun, why not check out the truth about smart here. Even if you hate the car, you may enjoy seeing it mildly-mangled by a wrecking ball.

[Source: the truth about smart]

 

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]]>smartsmart carsmart for twosmart fortwosmart-carsmart-fortwosmart-fortwo-mileageSmartCarSmartFortwotruth about smarttruth-about-smartTruthAboutSmart2008-05-02T17:57:00+00:00<![CDATA[Ontario introduces bill to protect "children" from secondhand smoke]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/ontario-introduces-bill-to-protect-children-from-secondhand-sm/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/ontario-introduces-bill-to-protect-children-from-secondhand-sm/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/ontario-introduces-bill-to-protect-children-from-secondhand-sm/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Four U.S. states, one Canadian province and one territory have already banned smoking in your car when children are present. Next up to potentially adopt the legislation is Ontario, Canada. A bill has been introduced into parliament that would fine anyone smoking in a car when someone under the age of 16 is also in the car.

The bill makes no exceptions for, well, anything. It doesn't matter if the car is stopped or moving, if all the windows are down and the sunroof open, or whether the smoker is driver or passenger. Smoke inside a motorized vehicle with a "child," and it'll cost you $250 Canadian.

While we don't argue with the supposed spirit of the law -- protecting children from the ill health effects of smoke -- we do wonder about the relevant age. Sixteen years old seems kind of long in the tooth to be classified as a "child," while 17-year-olds are suddenly adults who can handle it. There would also seem to be more dangerous things out there than traces of smoke at 55-MPH with the windows down, but it is Canada after all, so maybe not.

Thanks for the tip, Rodstar!

[Source: Canadian Driver]

 

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]]>canadaontariosmokesmokerssmokingsmoking banSmokingBan2008-05-02T06:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[British study suggests that older drivers are safer drivers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/01/british-study-suggests-that-older-drivers-are-safer-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/01/british-study-suggests-that-older-drivers-are-safer-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/01/british-study-suggests-that-older-drivers-are-safer-drivers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Contrary to the findings of the Japanese Metropolitan Police, a new study has just been released in Britain which suggests that older drivers are not dangerous on the roads. The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) data shows that older drivers actually become less of a risk than drivers under the age of thirty. Unfortunately, though, drivers over the age of seventy are more likely to be seriously injured when they do get into an accident. Neil Greig, director of the IAM Motoring Trust suggests that older drivers self-regulate themselves as they realize their abilities are weakening.

Still, the U.K. requires drivers over seventy to renew their licenses every three years, but it's up to the driver to report any physical conditions that could impair their driving. The U.K. government is considering adding new testing requirements for drivers over the age of seventy-five.

In other news, ninety-one percent of teen drivers consider themselves safe, though only 34-percent would say the same for their friends. Feel free to scare yourself by reading an entire press release of teen-driving statistics after the break.

[Sources: What Car, Erie Insurance]

Continue reading British study suggests that older drivers are safer drivers

 

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]]>elderlyelderly driverselderly-driversElderlyDriversold driversold-driversOldDriversolderolder driversolder-driversOlderDrivers2008-05-01T07:28:00+00:00<![CDATA[VIDEO: Volvo wants to eliminate in-car injuries and death by 2020]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/30/video-volvo-wants-to-eliminate-in-car-injuries-and-death-by-202/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/30/video-volvo-wants-to-eliminate-in-car-injuries-and-death-by-202/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/30/video-volvo-wants-to-eliminate-in-car-injuries-and-death-by-202/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Follow the jump for the video report on Volvo's safety goals

We all know how seriously Volvo approaches vehicle safety. At least we thought we did. In a new Reuters video feature, we learn that the safety-obsessed Swedish automaker has goals far loftier than we had imagined. You see, Volvo has set a goal of zero injuries or deaths to passengers in its vehicles by the year 2020. According to reporter Paul Chapman, Volvo wants to create a car that basically "forms a giant bumper" around its occupants to protect them if and when the need arises. A Volvo representative quoted on camera goes on to state that beyond the elimination of crash-related death and injury, Volvo would like to see the elimination of car accidents altogether.

While this admirable sentiment undoubtedly serves as a goal-setting mechanism for Volvo safety engineers, it's hard to view it as anything other than hopeless optimism unless you completely remove the human element from driving (and presumably replace all cars with Miracle Safety Volvos). You can build the most perfect car in the world and equip it with the greatest safety features imaginable, but cars can't predict everything, and humans are anything but predictable -- as any readers who commute amongst the general populace can attest. We'll know Volvo's really getting closer to safety Nirvana when it unveils a feature that determines when the driver next to you is simultaneously steering with his knees, reading a newspaper, sending text messages, and eating Ramen noodles at highway velocity.

Watch the full report after the jump.

[Source: Reuters]

Continue reading VIDEO: Volvo wants to eliminate in-car injuries and death by 2020

 

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]]>no fatalitiesno injuriesNoFatalitiesNoInjuriesvolvo 2020 safety goalVolvo2020SafetyGoal2008-04-30T17:34:00+00:00<![CDATA[VIDEO: smart fortwo crash test leaks out of IIHS]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/29/video-smart-fortwo-crash-test-leaks-out-of-iihs/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/29/video-smart-fortwo-crash-test-leaks-out-of-iihs/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/29/video-smart-fortwo-crash-test-leaks-out-of-iihs/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



The IIHS has put the 2008 smart fortwo through its frontal offset crash test, and the video is on YouTube even though the IIHS hasn't released its results yet. For everyone who points out the benefits of the smart's miniscule size, there are a number of others who say they wouldn't want to go up against a normal American car in a smart. Even the NHTSA had some concerns when it tested the fortwo's crashworthiness. Based on the video after the jump, however, it looks like the smart acquits itself quite well with no deformation of the A-pillar and not even a crack in the windshield. We'll have to wait for the IIHS to give its final, official word, however. Sure, we wouldn't want to be driving a smart fortwo in an accident... but that's only because we don't want to be in an accident. Follow the jump to watch the video for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: smart fortwo crash test leaks out of IIHS

 

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]]>crash testCrashTestfortwoiihsinsuranceinstitutefo...safetysmartsmart fortwoSmartFortwo2008-04-29T10:56:00+00:00<![CDATA[IIHS warns Canada against merging bumper standards with U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/25/iihs-warns-canada-against-merging-bumper-standards-with-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/25/iihs-warns-canada-against-merging-bumper-standards-with-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/25/iihs-warns-canada-against-merging-bumper-standards-with-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Transport Canada has been planning on implementing a change which would lower Canadian bumper safety standards from the current 8 km/h standard to 4 km/h. This halving of the standard would bring the Canadian testing in line with the regulations of both Europe and the U.S. Apparently, Transport Canada believes that vehicles would be cheaper to import while maintaining automobile safety. In fact, Canadian officials believe that the new standard could actually improve pedestrian safety. Or not, according to the IIHS, which has sent a letter to Transport Canada urging them to reconsider making the change. The IIHS response is pretty scathing, Using words and phrases like "unsubstantiated, incorrect assumptions, ill-informed and misleading," but the response could seemingly be summed up this way: Yo hosers, what were you thinking, eh? Thanks for the tip, Karen!

[Source: Auto North]

 

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]]>bumper regulationsbumper-regulationsBumperRegulationscanadaiihssafetytransport canadatransport-canadaTransportCanada2008-04-25T18:33:00+00:00<![CDATA[Virtual Wall could protect pedestrians with plasma lasers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/24/virtual-wall-could-protect-pedestrians-with-plasma-lasers/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/24/virtual-wall-could-protect-pedestrians-with-plasma-lasers/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/24/virtual-wall-could-protect-pedestrians-with-plasma-lasers/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for more renderings of the Virtual Wall

We expected that the first practical application for plasma laser technology would be a death ray gun, but Hanyoung Lee had another thought. He designed what's called the Virtual Wall using plasma lasers to make it safer for legal jay walkers to cross the street. The system displays a giant virtual wall right where the crosswalk begins and displays images of people walking to get the point across to pointy-headed drivers. We're all for getting drivers to stop before the white line at a red light so their front bumpers don't bogart the walking path, but we imagine municipalities might have a hard time stomaching the cost of four plasma laser walls at every intersection.

We'd like to see a working Virtual Wall do its thing, as all we've got are these renderings below that show what the wall would look like if it were real. We've seen renderings of death ray guns too, however, and still don't have one in our hands.

Gallery: Virtual Wall


[Source: Concept Trends via Winding Road]

 

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]]>hanyoung leeHanyoungLeevirtual wallVirtualWall2008-04-24T17:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Dutch cyclists want airbags installed on the outside of cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/dutch-cyclists-want-airbags-installed-on-the-outside-of-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/dutch-cyclists-want-airbags-installed-on-the-outside-of-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/dutch-cyclists-want-airbags-installed-on-the-outside-of-cars/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Due to the continuing evolution of safety standards, high speed car-on-car impacts have made life better for everyone inside the cars. Now, even pedestrians get love from some car makers in the form of hoods that pop up when the car senses a pedestrian impact, so that the walker doesn't hit the engine block. Now, the Dutch Cycling Federation wants to know: what about us? The federation is asking for exterior airbags to protect cyclists in collisions with cars.

In a country where getting around by bike is the done thing, the federation estimates that external airbags on cars could save 60 cyclists and eliminate 1,500 serious injuries every year. The airbags they have in mind would be mounted on the hoods, which is where cyclists usually end up.

In case you're thinking "There's no way...", the Swedish company Autoliv Inc. has created an air bag that deploys from the A-pillars and extends over the hood to keep people from crashing down onto the engine block. It strikes us as a bit nutty to think that one day our cars could turn into giant bubbles to protect everyone everywhere in an accident, but hey, if it saves lives....

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

 

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]]>airbagairbagsautolivautolivalvcyclistcyclistdeathcyclistsholland2008-04-22T19:31:00+00:00<![CDATA[Honda system warns motorists of crime hotspots, steers clear of Detroit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/21/honda-system-warns-motorists-of-crime-hotspots-steers-clear-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/21/honda-system-warns-motorists-of-crime-hotspots-steers-clear-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/21/honda-system-warns-motorists-of-crime-hotspots-steers-clear-of/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Honda's launching the next step in navigation system evolution that will automatically warn drivers to be on guard when traveling through areas of high crime. The system is launching in Japan on Tuesday, but we haven't heard of any plans to bring it to the United States. It's probably for the best, as there'd be wide swaths of the country that this navi would recommend you avoid. Places like Washington DC, where crime is apparently legal and perpetrated by criminals with offices and staffs. Detroit might be marked with an avoidance warning too, but that's more likely due to Honda wanting to avoid a Jets-Sharks danceoff.

Honda's warning system uses historical data from the Japanese police to pinpoint areas where vehicle damage or theft has happened in the past. Areas then receive ratings based on the level of danger they pose to automobiles just passing through. We guess it could be useful for people who don't take notice of their surroundings when behind the wheel, but some of us may lump it in with other "safety" annoyances like self-locking doors.

[Source: AFP]

 

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]]>crime warningCrimeWarninghonda navigationhonda navigation systemhonda safety systemhonda safeyHondaNavigationHondaNavigationSystemHondaSafetySystemHondaSafeynavigationnavigation systemnavigation systemsNavigationSystemnavigationsystemssafety systemSafetySystem2008-04-21T16:59:00+00:00<![CDATA[No car repairs or painting in Beijing until after Olympics]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/17/no-car-repairs-or-painting-in-beijing-until-after-olympics/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/17/no-car-repairs-or-painting-in-beijing-until-after-olympics/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/17/no-car-repairs-or-painting-in-beijing-until-after-olympics/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The city of Beijing has drawn widely-publicized controversy due to its poor air-quality leading up to the 2008 Summer Olympic games. In fact, the air pollution is at least two to three times higher than levels deemed safe by the World Health Organization at this very moment. To ease the minds of the competing athletes, the city of Beijing is taking steps to improve the situation and has promised clean air for the games. Officials in Beijing have already cut the number of vehicles driving in the city in half by alternating what vehicles are allowed to drive each day and have asked more people to ride bikes. Now, they've banned car repairs and spray painting until after the games are over. We are all for the athletes rights to breathe clean air, but we also have to wonder about the economic cost associated with cutting out all automotive repairs and painting.

[Source: Motor Authority]

 

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]]>beijingbeijing 2008beijing airbeijing olympicsbeijing-2008beijing-airbeijing-olympicsbeijing-pollutionbeijing2008BeijingAirBeijingOlympicsolympicolympic gamesolympic-gamesOlympicGamesolympicspollution2008-04-17T18:35:00+00:00<![CDATA[IIHS questions the effectiveness of five new safety features]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/17/iihs-questions-the-effectiveness-of-five-new-safety-features/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/17/iihs-questions-the-effectiveness-of-five-new-safety-features/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/17/iihs-questions-the-effectiveness-of-five-new-safety-features/#commentsFiled under:


The view above your left knee in the 2009 Infiniti FX.

In the last 24 hours, we've been accosted with more high-tech, in-car wizardry than we've ever asked for. And while you'll have to wait until next week to read our review of the new Infiniti FX, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has weighed in on the top five new safety technologies that may, or may not, have an effect on crash rates.

The IIHS studied how blind-spot detection systems, adaptive headlamps, lane-departure warning systems, forward-collision warning systems with automatic braking and emergency brake assist, work and how they may prevent collisions.

Of the 2.3 million frontal crashes that take place annually, 7,200 result in a fatality. The proliferation of systems that can detect an imminent frontal collision, sound a warning and if the drive doesn't react, preload all the safety systems and begin applying the brakes may prove useful. The same goes for lane departure warning systems, which notify the driver with a tone if they begin veering out of their lane. Others, like blind-spot detection systems won't have as much affect on road fatalities since they don't account for a substantial amount of fatal crashes, but they'll certainly make people more aware of their surroundings.

The IIHS also noted that adaptive headlamps, which turn in conjunction with the wheel to illuminate around a curve, might cause drivers to increase their speed, making a crash more probable. While we don't buy that last one, it highlights the point that's often left out of these studies: driver error is the number one cause of collisions. Fix that and all this added technology is superfluous.

[Source: IIHS via Detroit News]

 

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]]>collision detectionCollisionDetectionemergency brake assistEmergencyBrakeAssistiihsinsurance institute for highway safetyInsuranceInstituteForHighwaySafetylane departureLaneDeparturesafety2008-04-17T14:33:00+00:00<![CDATA[Elderly man hangs up the keys after trashing two Porsches]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/15/elderly-man-hangs-up-the-keys-after-trashing-two-porsches/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/15/elderly-man-hangs-up-the-keys-after-trashing-two-porsches/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/15/elderly-man-hangs-up-the-keys-after-trashing-two-porsches/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Jack Higgs of Penarth, England, is 93. He has been driving for 76 years, and has never gotten a ticket. He never even had a single accident since learning to drive at age 17. That flawless streak came to an end, however, on Monday, when Mr. Higgs totaled two cars and badly damaged a third. Mr. Higgs swears he'll never drive again.

A former Pentecostal minister, Higgs was backing up his 13-year-old Ford Fiesta at a local Porsche dealership when he inexplicably lost control and found himself hanging upside down by his seat belt in his overturned car. At 93, Higgs managed to get himself out of the wreck unassisted and, after being checked over by the paramedics, walked away from the scene unscratched. You'd think the owners of the dealership would be livid, but their concern was mostly for Higgs' wellbeing. The nonagenarian, who attributed his good fortune to prayer and God, had been driving through the dealership's front lot for years without incident to get to his garage, was known to everyone at the dealership, and even offered to help clean up the mess. Somehow we doubt Mr. Higgs will have trouble finding someone to give him the occasional lift.

Thanks for the tip, Paul!

[Source: BBC News]

 

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]]>elderly driver accidentElderlyDriverAccidentjack higgsJackHiggsporsche accidentPorscheAccident2008-04-15T09:34:00+00:00