Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SpadaConcept designs a carbon-fiber racing helmet]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/30/spadaconcept-designs-a-carbon-fiber-racing-helmet/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/30/spadaconcept-designs-a-carbon-fiber-racing-helmet/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/30/spadaconcept-designs-a-carbon-fiber-racing-helmet/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If the name SpadaConcept rings a bell, you're probably recalling the Codatronca, the Italian coachbuilder's radical shark-nosed and tail-fined Corvette-based supercar pictured at right. The design studio has now designed a racing helmet for Italian manufacturer Stilo that's almost as radical.

The ST4 helmet is made of carbon fiber and manufactured in an autoclave, giving it a lower weight than conventional designs. Although it's not the first CF helmet on the market, it could be the most intriguing we've seen yet. The aggressive design incorporates two outlets for radio connection and hydration system in an aerodynamic shape good for open-cockpit racing. The result is a package that looks straight out of a sci-fi movie or video game (take your pick), but we'd gladly strap one on to test the 600-horsepower Codatronca, if and when the car is built.

[Source: Italiaspeed]

SpadaConcept designs a carbon-fiber racing helmet originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Dec 2007 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coachbuildercodatroncadesignhelmetracingspada conceptSpadaConceptst4stiloSun, 30 Dec 2007 19:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Cambridge engineers develop "talking" Fiat]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/02/cambridge-engineers-develop-talking-fiat/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/02/cambridge-engineers-develop-talking-fiat/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/02/cambridge-engineers-develop-talking-fiat/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Who would have thought that Pixar would turn out to be a prophet of the automotive industry? In creating its talking automobiles for the computer-animated film Cars, the Disney-associated studio might have done just that, as a group of engineering students in England have demonstrated.

The team at Cambridge developed a "talking" car of their own. Based on a Fiat Stilo, the prototype is capable of telling mechanics what's working and what's not. By transmitting radio signal tags, engine components can inform workshop staff of the working condition of specific parts, as well as identifying parts that haven't received recall work yet and what parts are worth salvaging should the car be heading for the scrap yard.

According to Prof. Duncan McFarlane, the team is discussing selling the technology to "a number of firms", and we hope that the feature gets adopted fast. This is one piece of tech that really speaks to us.

[Source: Auto Express]

Cambridge engineers develop "talking" Fiat originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cambridgefiatmaintenancepartsradiostilotagstalkingMon, 02 Jul 2007 21:56:00 EST