Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Autonomous cars found trustworthy in global study]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/autonomous-cars-found-trustworthy-in-global-study/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/autonomous-cars-found-trustworthy-in-global-study/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/19/autonomous-cars-found-trustworthy-in-global-study/#commentsFiled under: ,

Driverless car study

"Consumers Desire More Automated Automobiles." That's the title of one page of a new study published by Cisco Systems as part of its Customer Experience Report, which focuses on the "automobile buying and driving experience." The study specifically targeted technology and its integration into the cars and trucks of today and tomorrow, and, not surprisingly, roughly half of all those surveyed globally (1,500 consumers across 10 countries, says Cisco) "value the technology adoption reputation of a brand when selecting a vehicle." We also think it's of interest that "83 percent of global consumers prefer to research online for information on a car."

Perhaps the most intriguing bit of information gleaned from the study pertains to driverless automobiles. A full 57 percent "stated they would be likely to ride in a car controlled entirely by technology that does not require a human driver," with Brazil, India and China cited as the countries most willing to trust autonomous technology. When Cicso asked drivers if they'd let their kids ride in driverless cars, however, the figures dropped dramatically - just 46 percent found that idea acceptable.

In the United States, 60 percent of those surveyed said they would trust driverless cars, and that dropped to 48 percent when children were included. Japanese drivers were least likely to trust their lives or their children's lives to automated technology. Scroll down below for a press release from Cisco highlighting more of its findings.

Continue reading Autonomous cars found trustworthy in global study

Autonomous cars found trustworthy in global study originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 May 2013 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autonomousciscocisco customer experience reportdriverlesstechnologySun, 19 May 2013 08:55:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20575000/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/19/autonomous-cars-found-trustworthy-in-global-study/20575000/article-detail.xml 20575000 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/driverless-cisco_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/driverless-cisco.png <![CDATA[Sick of long lines at the DMV? Hawaii might have a solution]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/sick-of-long-lines-at-the-dmv-hawaii-might-have-a-solution-w-v/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/sick-of-long-lines-at-the-dmv-hawaii-might-have-a-solution-w-v/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/sick-of-long-lines-at-the-dmv-hawaii-might-have-a-solution-w-v/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Hawaii DMV Line

Hawaii is taking a novel approach to reducing the average wait time in the state's DMV offices. All five O'ahu locations now feature live webcams showing exactly how many patrons are in line at any given time. Visitors can simply check the office's web site ahead of time to see if its clear to stop in. The system uses cheap cameras sourced from eBay, and the change has helped shorten overall waits to as little as 10 minutes. Officials now offer pre-screening to help visitors make sure they have all the right documents before they get to the counter.

Officials are also working on a new system that will allow patrons to take a number and monitor the line's progress remotely. The hope is that change will let visitors run errands and otherwise make better use of their time. You can check out a local news report on the changes in the video below.

Continue reading Sick of long lines at the DMV? Hawaii might have a solution

Sick of long lines at the DMV? Hawaii might have a solution originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dmvdmv webcamhawaiihawaii dmvtechnologyvideoweb camMon, 04 Mar 2013 10:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20484953/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/04/sick-of-long-lines-at-the-dmv-hawaii-might-have-a-solution-w-v/20484953/article-detail.xml 20484953 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/dmv-line-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/dmv-line-628.jpg <![CDATA[Take a look inside Koenigsegg's headquarters and peek at its future tech]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/take-a-look-inside-koenigseggs-headquarters-and-peek-at-their-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/take-a-look-inside-koenigseggs-headquarters-and-peek-at-their-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/take-a-look-inside-koenigseggs-headquarters-and-peek-at-their-f/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



The YouTube series Drive has been doing weekly videos on Koenigsegg, and in this latest they get into the Free Valve technology being developed by Swedish company Cargine AB and Koenigsegg. Free Valve uses a small, individual pneumatic actuator to open each valves and either air pressure or springs to close them. The setup omits the need for camshafts and the related paraphernalia, as well as increasing the programmability, precision and efficiency of valve operation. Engines using the Free Valve system can also be smaller and lighter.

It has been tested for the last two years on a Saab 9-5 wagon that's done 60,000 kilometers so far. Koenigsegg says that compared to a traditional four-cylinder engine, horsepower and torque using Free Valve go up by 30 percent each, while fuel consumption drops by 30 percent and emissions drop by 50 percent.

It won't be ready for mass production for a while yet, and even then it will probably start at the top of the automotive food chain. Nevertheless, it points to a potential new future for the internal combustion engine. Check out the video below to see it in action.

Continue reading Take a look inside Koenigsegg's headquarters and peek at its future tech

Take a look inside Koenigsegg's headquarters and peek at its future tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Christian von Koenigseggdrivefree valvekoenigseggtechnologyvideovideosyoutubeMon, 25 Feb 2013 16:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20474338/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/25/take-a-look-inside-koenigseggs-headquarters-and-peek-at-their-f/20474338/article-detail.xml 20474338 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/koenigseggfreevalvevid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/koenigseggfreevalvevid.jpg <![CDATA[BMW starts Apple-like "Genius" program to explain tech]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/bmw-starts-apple-like-genius-program-to-explain-tech/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/bmw-starts-apple-like-genius-program-to-explain-tech/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/bmw-starts-apple-like-genius-program-to-explain-tech/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

BMW dealer through the glass

Even workaday cars are so capable now that even most auto scribes don't truly find out about a car's limits until a professional driver shows them what they are. It's the same with a vehicle's suite of features and the technology inside - there's so much of it that most people will have no idea what their cars can offer them. BMW is the latest company to make a personal effort to change that, introducing "young, tech-savvy employees" to dealerships as part of its "BMW Genius Everywhere" initiative.

Having no part in the actual sale of a vehicle, a BMW Genius is present on the showroom floor only to answer questions about the company's products and their features. If the customer decides to buy, he is transferred to a salesperson. A pilot program in the UK proved its effectiveness, it will now be rolled out across Europe and then come to the United States toward the end of this year in time for the launch of the i3. Details are still being worked out, but each BMW dealer will have at least one Genius.

For assistance that doesn't require visiting the auto mall, BMW is also putting vehicle and feature tutorials on its US website to "make our knowledge about our brand more interesting and more accessible to the consumer." They will appear online sometime in the latter half of the year, and will also be bundled into iPhone and iPad apps.

BMW starts Apple-like "Genius" program to explain tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw genius everywheregeniusgenius bargenius everywheretechnologyWed, 20 Feb 2013 09:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20463531/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/20/bmw-starts-apple-like-genius-program-to-explain-tech/20463531/article-detail.xml 20463531 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/bmw-dealer-through-the-glass_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/bmw-dealer-through-the-glass.jpg <![CDATA[Why Google's autonomous car tech could be worth more than its web business]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/why-googles-autonomous-car-tech-could-be-worth-more-than-its-we/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/why-googles-autonomous-car-tech-could-be-worth-more-than-its-we/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/why-googles-autonomous-car-tech-could-be-worth-more-than-its-we/#commentsFiled under:



According to Forbes, Google may be into driverless cars for more than the party tricks. As part of a three-part series on the tech giant's foray into the automotive sphere, writer Chunka Miu says Google's efforts could have a widespread impact on the nature of transportation worldwide. The company believes it can theoretically reduce traffic accidents, energy consumption and the number of personal vehicles on the road by 90 percent should autonomous models take hold, and those savings could equate to a massive revenue stream as automakers work to adapt the technology to their products.

What's more, the technology could revolutionize the way developing countries design their infrastructure, and Google could theoretically be there to lend a helping hand. Forbes says the autonomous vehicle business could be worth trillions of dollars in the long term, far surpassing the company's current search, advertising and mobile platform operations.

Why Google's autonomous car tech could be worth more than its web business originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autonomousautonomous vehiclesdriverlessdriverless cardriverless carsgoogletechnologyThu, 31 Jan 2013 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20439887/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/31/why-googles-autonomous-car-tech-could-be-worth-more-than-its-we/20439887/article-detail.xml 20439887 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/152766337-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/152766337-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota and Lexus show off advanced safety research vehicle [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/08/toyota-and-lexus-show-off-advanced-safety-research-vehicle-w-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/08/toyota-and-lexus-show-off-advanced-safety-research-vehicle-w-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/08/toyota-and-lexus-show-off-advanced-safety-research-vehicle-w-vi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Lexus' advanced safety research vehicle - self-driving LS

While Google and Audi explore the possibilities of autonomous vehicles, Toyota and its Lexus division are studying the intermediate step of vehicles equipped with a deep suite of technology that help drivers make the best decisions. Introduced at this week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the Lexus advanced safety research vehicle is an LS sedan fitted with three high-def color cameras to detect objects up to almost 500 feet away, 360-degree Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) lasers that can detect objects up to 220 feet away, three radar units to keep track of other vehicles at intersections, a precision odometer on the rear wheel, GPS that estimates orientation and an accelerometer.

Currently testing at a purpose-built 8.6 acre urban testing ground at the Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Susono, Japan the Toyota research vehicle is being used to study how to make better drivers, as well as figuring out how to reduce crashes as the industry's journey through passive and active safety systems progresses. In the event of a crash, new rescue systems are also being tested.

Further investment is being put into the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) that would use shortwave signals to harness information from the car and from other vehicles on the road, as well as roadside infrastructure and even pedestrians. Toyota reasons it could then build a picture of interactions and, for instance, alert the driver to a potential collision at a blind intersection.

Toyota's says its research "could lead to a fully autonomous car in the future," but for now, the point is that "a driverless car is just a part of the story. Our vision is a car equipped with an intelligent, always-attentive co-pilot whose skills contribute to safer driving." Improving driver education in this country would probably be a lot cheaper, but hey, we're for anything that helps make the roads safer places to be. There's plenty more tech-speak in the video and press release below.

Continue reading Toyota and Lexus show off advanced safety research vehicle [w/video]

Toyota and Lexus show off advanced safety research vehicle [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 lexus lsautonomouscesces 2013lexuslexus advanced safety research vehiclelssafetyself-driving cartechnologytoyotavideovideosyoutubeTue, 08 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20421000/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/08/toyota-and-lexus-show-off-advanced-safety-research-vehicle-w-vi/20421000/article-detail.xml 20421000 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/toyotaautonomousces_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/toyotaautonomousces.jpg <![CDATA[Automotive head-up displays to get second wind as safety devices?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/27/automotive-head-up-displays-to-get-second-wind-as-safety-devices/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/27/automotive-head-up-displays-to-get-second-wind-as-safety-devices/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/27/automotive-head-up-displays-to-get-second-wind-as-safety-devices/#commentsFiled under: ,



Having gone from the C5 Corvette to the bygone Lexus HS 250h to the BMW 7 Series, the heads-up display has entered the "Meh..." phase of technology. To return it to the avant-garde, makers of such displays are working on new and larger applications of the technology that can provide new types of safety information without distracting drivers.

The end-all-be-all objective is a windshield-wide display that can project sufficiently bright notifications such as warnings of pedestrians in the way or road shoulder lines in heavy fog. That is many years away, however; a unit that could do that, using modern technology, would take up half the space behind the instrument panel, create an unworkable amount of heat and need to utilize a sub-optimal arrangement of optics for viewing.

But that is what carmakers are said to be looking forward to down the line, and what suppliers like Japan's Nippon Seiki, the world's largest supplier of HUDs, are working on. The final product would provide an augmented reality environment for the driver with large, bright, high-contrast images. While one analyst has said he expects the number of automakers using HUDs to go up from the current nine to 14 by 2016, he believes we're "well over five years" away from beginning to see full-screen displays, and that even then they probably won't make it on cars that cost under $30,000.

Automotive head-up displays to get second wind as safety devices? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>heads up displayhudsafetytechnologyTue, 27 Nov 2012 08:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20386790/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/27/automotive-head-up-displays-to-get-second-wind-as-safety-devices/20386790/article-detail.xml 20386790 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/hudfuture_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/hudfuture.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Consumer Reports</i> lambasts Cadillac's new CUE system]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/21/consumer-reports-lambasts-cadillacs-new-cue-system/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/21/consumer-reports-lambasts-cadillacs-new-cue-system/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/21/consumer-reports-lambasts-cadillacs-new-cue-system/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Well the good news (for Ford) is that MyFord Touch may not be the most hated automotive technology around the Consumer Reports water cooler anymore. After getting its hands on a Cadillac ATS and XTS to test out the new CUE infotainment system, CR had some pretty harsh words for the next-gen infotainment system.

In the video below, the reviewer had problems using the capacitive buttons and referred to the system as being "fussy" multiple times, and the big rip came when he said that MyFord Touch (a technology that has been slammed by CR since its inception) is easier to navigate than CUE.

Oddly enough, CR recently posted a video on the Tesla Model S and seemed to praise the car for its lack of buttons and knobs. Which is it guys? Do we have a buttonless future to look forward to or not? Check out what Consumer Reports had to say about Cadillac's new infotainment system in the video below.

Continue reading Consumer Reports lambasts Cadillac's new CUE system

Consumer Reports lambasts Cadillac's new CUE system originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Nov 2012 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cadillaccadillac cueconsumer reportscuein car electronicsin car entertainmentinfotainmenttechnologyvideoWed, 21 Nov 2012 11:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20385044/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/21/consumer-reports-lambasts-cadillacs-new-cue-system/20385044/article-detail.xml 20385044 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/cadillac-cue-cr-1353449250_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/cadillac-cue-cr-1353449250.jpg <![CDATA[ID4Motion re-imagines your car's gauge cluster]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/28/id4motion-re-imagines-your-cars-gauge-cluster/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/28/id4motion-re-imagines-your-cars-gauge-cluster/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/28/id4motion-re-imagines-your-cars-gauge-cluster/#commentsFiled under: , ,

ID4Motion Digital Gauge Cluster

With more manufacturers turning away from analog gauges in favor of LCD instrument panels, it was only a matter of time before an aftermarket company came up with a screen of its own. Enter the ID4Motion MotionGraphic Design Digital Cluster. Using car-specific hardware, the screen can tap into your vehicle's systems with either a CAN-BUS or analog connection to display everything from engine and vehicle speed to pertinent system warnings and fuel capacity in a more attractive manner. The device boasts a 10.1-inch color display with 1280x800 resolution and a suite of tech goodies.

Those include a G force meter as well as a timer odometer matched to your vehicle. More importantly, user and vehicle information is encoded to prevent tampering from outside parties. The Design Digital Cluster can even be configured to show off a company logo should you so desire. How much will it cost you? ID4Motion isn't saying, but the company will gladly quote you a price depending on your application. Check it out in action below or head over to the ID4Motion site for more information.

Continue reading ID4Motion re-imagines your car's gauge cluster

ID4Motion re-imagines your car's gauge cluster originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Oct 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>id4motionlcdlcd screenmotiongraphic design digital clustertechnologyvideoSun, 28 Oct 2012 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20360686/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/28/id4motion-re-imagines-your-cars-gauge-cluster/20360686/article-detail.xml 20360686 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/id4motion-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/id4motion-628.jpg <![CDATA[Struggling Tokyo Motor Show shifts gears, pitches itself as tech show]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/12/struggling-tokyo-motor-show-shifts-gears-pitches-itself-as-tech/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/12/struggling-tokyo-motor-show-shifts-gears-pitches-itself-as-tech/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/12/struggling-tokyo-motor-show-shifts-gears-pitches-itself-as-tech/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Organizers for the Tokyo Motor Show have a problem on their hands. Ever since the financial crisis, the biannual auto show has been enduring a downturn. Though 2011's attendance of 842,600 visitors was an improvement of 37 percent over 2009, the overall trend is downward from 1.43 million visitors in 2007. The height of attendance for the show was in 1991 when the 15-day exhibition ushered in 2.02 million patrons. The show later shrunk to 13 days, then to ten, in response to shrinking demand.

So what's an auto show to do? According to an Automotive News report, the answer is to remake itself. The theme for Tokyo Motor Show 2013 has been announced as, "Compete! And Shape a new future." According to the press release provided, "The theme represents the desire to have visitors experience a future that doesn't yet exist anywhere and is shaped by vying values, such as beauty, technology, and dreams."

Part of that effort is the Smart Mobility City project, displaying high-tech methods of how cars can connect to one another. Japanese carmakers are looking to be the leader in the interconnectedness of cars in the future. Features like smart electric grids and interactive infotainment systems are among these technologies. According to the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers (JAMA), "Passions that thrive on cars, motorcycles, and their technologies, are brought together in a friendly competition to shape the future."

Perhaps this direction is the one the Tokyo show must take in order to regain relevancy, in the midst of shows like Shanghai and Beijing increasing in popularity. The Tokyo expo has been struggling for relevance not just with show patrons, but also with foreign automakers, who have been increasingly unwilling to debut concepts and new models - or even buy displace space at all - in a market where consumers don't buy many foreign-branded autos.

The 43rd Tokyo Motor Show will be held November 22 through December 1, 2013.

Continue reading Struggling Tokyo Motor Show shifts gears, pitches itself as tech show

Struggling Tokyo Motor Show shifts gears, pitches itself as tech show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>connectivitysmart mobility citytechnologytokyotokyo motor showtokyo motor show 2013Fri, 12 Oct 2012 18:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20347357/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/12/struggling-tokyo-motor-show-shifts-gears-pitches-itself-as-tech/20347357/article-detail.xml 20347357 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/tokyomotorshow_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/tokyomotorshow.jpg <![CDATA[F1's Nico Rosberg explains how the racing helmet has evolved]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/04/f1s-nico-rosberg-explains-how-the-racing-helmet-has-evolved/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/04/f1s-nico-rosberg-explains-how-the-racing-helmet-has-evolved/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/04/f1s-nico-rosberg-explains-how-the-racing-helmet-has-evolved/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nico Rosberg helmet video

As motorsports fans, we tend to pour over every detail of the race car's evolution, but it's easy to forget other aspects of a race team that progress at approximately the same rate. That includes safety equipment. Nico Rosberg took some time off from of his Formula One driving duties at Mercedes AMG Petronas to sit down with a camera crew to track the evolution of the helmet from the jaunty leather caps of 1946 to the carbon-weave shells used today. Rosberg's helmet weighs in at just 2.5 pounds but can withstand serious impacts without deforming and protect the wearer from heat of up to 1,472 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 seconds.

Rosberg's helmet can also hold up to a shot from a projectile moving 1,345 feet per second. Very impressive, and entirely necessary for a sport that sees racers reach ludicrous speeds on track. You can check out the video below to chart the safety helmet's interesting progression.

Continue reading F1's Nico Rosberg explains how the racing helmet has evolved

F1's Nico Rosberg explains how the racing helmet has evolved originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1formula 1formula onehelmetmercedes amg petronasnico rosbergracing helmetsafetysafety helmettechnologyvideoThu, 04 Oct 2012 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20341504/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/04/f1s-nico-rosberg-explains-how-the-racing-helmet-has-evolved/20341504/article-detail.xml 20341504 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/nico-rosberg-helmet-video-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/nico-rosberg-helmet-video-628.jpg <![CDATA[Infiniti registers highest emotional attachment among car brands]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/23/infiniti-registers-highest-emotional-attachment-among-car-brands/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/23/infiniti-registers-highest-emotional-attachment-among-car-brands/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/23/infiniti-registers-highest-emotional-attachment-among-car-brands/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Infiniti JX

Do you love your car? Like, really love your car? How about your iPhone? According to Forbes, a group called New Media Metrics has a way to quantify just how much you adore your devices, and how that emotional connection determines your purchasing behavior.

The metric is called Leveraging Emotional Attachment for Profit, or LEAP, and just like it sounds, it measures how much we love products. That affection will likely lead to purchase to fill that attachment. The LEAP index began in 2010, and for the first two year the iPod topped the list, only to be unseated by the iPhone this year. Tech is a key factor as these devices have become extensions of ourselves.

The top automaker on this list, and ranked third overall, is the Infiniti brand. Its high ranking speaks to the significance of technology in the LEAP index. While many automakers offer a wealth of in-car tech, for Infiniti, it's a defining characteristic. Features like the around-view monitor and real-time traffic and weather updates have become key selling points for the Japanese luxury brand.

The next automaker on the list is Cadillac, at the sixth spot, followed followed by BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover in spots 13 through 16, respectfully. Given Cadillac's lead over the tech-heavy German automakers it will be interesting to see how the rollout of Cadillac's CUE-equipped vehicles affects its rankings in the years to come. Check out the rest of this list and see where your favorite brands stack up below.

Continue reading Infiniti registers highest emotional attachment among car brands

Infiniti registers highest emotional attachment among car brands originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brand loyaltyconnectivityforbesinfinitiipadiphoneipodtechnologySun, 23 Sep 2012 10:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20329847/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/23/infiniti-registers-highest-emotional-attachment-among-car-brands/20329847/article-detail.xml 20329847 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/01-2013-infiniti-jx35-review-628_thumbnail.jpeg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/01-2013-infiniti-jx35-review-628.jpeg <![CDATA[GM is building a better crash-test dummy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/22/gm-building-better-crash-test-dummy-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/22/gm-building-better-crash-test-dummy-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/22/gm-building-better-crash-test-dummy-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,

New crash-test dummies

Anyone can be an ordinary dummy, whereas being a good crash-test dummy takes work. A few things you probably didn't know: the official name for a crash-test dummy is "anthropomorphic test device" (ATD), General Motors "has a long history" designing ATDs, and the process is so specialized that there's even a Rear Impact Dummy Task Group.

GM is working with five other OEMs on the dummies that help ensure humans stay as safe as possible in car crashes. The latest advance is the second generation of the Biofidelic Rear Impact Dummy, or BioRID II, designed by engineers at Chalmers University in Gothenburg, Sweden. It has a backbone with 24 simulated vertebrae (the same number we have in our real vertebral columns) to recreate natural seating positions and back and neck movement in rear collisions. The challenge now is to make sure that the BioRID II can "deliver repeatable, reproducible test results" from which the next advances in safety can be engineered.

That's where GM comes in. One of its award-winning engineers produced a rear-impact sled just for the purpose. To find out more about the secret life of ATDs, you'll want to check out the video and press release below.

Continue reading GM is building a better crash-test dummy

GM is building a better crash-test dummy originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Sep 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barbara nunnbioridbiorid iicrash test dummiesgeneral motorsgmsafetytechnologySat, 22 Sep 2012 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20327055/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/22/gm-building-better-crash-test-dummy-w-video/20327055/article-detail.xml 20327055 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/gmdummies_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/gmdummies.jpg <![CDATA[Spherical drive motorcycle being developed by engineering students [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/19/spherical-drive-motorcycle-being-developed-by-engineering-studen/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/19/spherical-drive-motorcycle-being-developed-by-engineering-studen/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/19/spherical-drive-motorcycle-being-developed-by-engineering-studen/#commentsFiled under: ,



A group of engineering students at San Jose University have cooked up an ambitious senior project. Max Ratner, Henry Li and Andrew Parmar came up with the concept of applying an omnidirectional drive system to the motorcycle world during a brainstorming session a little over a year ago. Inspired by the self-balancing technology found in the Segway personal transport and a balancing robot developed in Tokyo, the trio of mechanical engineering students settled on applying the same principles to a motorcycle device as a proof of concept. The idea went through a number of evolutions before settling on the design you see here with two massive spheres enclosed in a tube cage.

The spheres are controlled via three electric motors that provide small inputs to keep the rig upright via some clever software. The result is a machine with a zero turning radius that anyone one can ride regardless of skill level or physical handicap. The bike can immediately change direction to move perpendicular to the previous path of travel, but Ratner, Li and Parmar want to make it clear that they aren't out to revolutionize the way vehicles travel.

"This is more of a proof of concept," Parmar said. "We want to show that something like this is actually possible."

Continue reading Spherical drive motorcycle being developed by engineering students [w/video]

Spherical drive motorcycle being developed by engineering students [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andrew parmarengineeringhenry limax ratnermotorcyclesan jose universityspherespherical drivetechnologyWed, 19 Sep 2012 19:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20322700/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/19/spherical-drive-motorcycle-being-developed-by-engineering-studen/20322700/article-detail.xml 20322700 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/01-spherical-drive-system-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/01-spherical-drive-system-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Zabkab app brings the taxis to you in NYC]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/18/zabkab-app-brings-the-taxis-to-you-in-nyc/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/18/zabkab-app-brings-the-taxis-to-you-in-nyc/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/18/zabkab-app-brings-the-taxis-to-you-in-nyc/#commentsFiled under:


Zabkab

Looking to flag down a taxi in New York City? Well put down your hand and pick up your cell phone.

The free Zabkab smartphone app not only allows users to see a map of cabs in their immediate vicinity, it also lets them digitally hail one. Better yet, it allows users to get a cab heading in their direction even before stepping foot outside... no more waiting in the rain to catch a taxi. An upcoming feature will make it easier to flag down a taxi at night by turning the screen bright yellow when the phone is tilted on its side.

The article on Rundown.com says that while there is no cost to users, cabbies will pay between $10 to $15 a month for the service, but with the claim that New York City cabbies spend up to a quarter of their shift just looking for fares, this seems like a win-win for all parties.

Currently, the Zabkab app is only available in the iPhone app store and Google Play for Android phones, but the company's website says that it'll be offered for Blackberry users soon.

Zabkab app brings the taxis to you in NYC originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Aug 2012 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>smartphone appstechnologySat, 18 Aug 2012 16:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20300813/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/18/zabkab-app-brings-the-taxis-to-you-in-nyc/20300813/article-detail.xml 20300813 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/zabkab-taxi-iphone-app_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/zabkab-taxi-iphone-app.jpg <![CDATA[Researchers developing washless coating for cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/26/researchers-developing-washless-coating-for-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/26/researchers-developing-washless-coating-for-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/26/researchers-developing-washless-coating-for-cars/#commentsFiled under:


We could have easily filed this under "Too Good to Be True" or "Snake Oil," but it sounds legit, and certainly has our attention. Researchers in The Netherlands' Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) have developed a self-healing vehicle coating, meaning that one day, you may not have to wash your car.

Catarina Esteves of the department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at TU/e and her team claims to have invented a solution to the problem of minor scrapes. Apparently the nano-capsule technology features special chemical groups that are able to re-orient themselves in the event that a surface with this compound is scratched.

The potential automotive use for this technology is obvious; it allows for the development of coatings that are not only water-resistant, but scratch resistant. A minor rain shower is all it would take to keep the car clean.

The implementation of this technology is not limited to the automotive world - it can also be employed on contact lenses, smartphone screens, and solar panels.

The benefit it could provide to the aviation industry would be two-fold. A plane employing this coating would not only need less frequent cleaning, but the inability for algae and dirt to build up means that the aircraft would allow for less wind resistance, resoling in more fuel efficient flying.

Researchers developing washless coating for cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircraftcar washnanosmartphonesolartechnologyThu, 26 Jul 2012 14:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20284650/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/26/researchers-developing-washless-coating-for-cars/20284650/article-detail.xml 20284650 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/jettawash01_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/jettawash01.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan courts social media to help with product planning]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/15/nissan-courts-social-media-to-help-with-product-planning/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/15/nissan-courts-social-media-to-help-with-product-planning/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/15/nissan-courts-social-media-to-help-with-product-planning/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nissan Facebook

Automotive News reports Nissan may turn to the company's social media followers to help plan future products. Erich Marx, director of interactive and social media marketing, thinks sites like Pintrest and Facebook could be used as specialized focus groups to help answer questions that the automaker's product planners and managers face.

Nissan already plans to ask its followers what sorts of vehicles and technologies they expect to see on the market in the next 10 years. Depending on how that goes, further and more specific queries could follow.

The report says Marx understands the online community isn't a place for throwing out confidential designs, but with over 1 million fans on Facebook and a similar number on Google+ and Twitter, he sees plenty of potential consulting power.

Nissan courts social media to help with product planning originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>erich marxfacebookgoogle+nissanpintrestproduct planningsocial mediatechnologytwitterSun, 15 Jul 2012 10:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20276646/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/15/nissan-courts-social-media-to-help-with-product-planning/20276646/article-detail.xml 20276646 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/nissan-facebook-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/nissan-facebook-628.jpg <![CDATA[Ford working on automatic "do not disturb" function to combat driver distraction]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/28/ford-working-on-automatic-do-not-disturb-function-to-combat-dr/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/28/ford-working-on-automatic-do-not-disturb-function-to-combat-dr/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/28/ford-working-on-automatic-do-not-disturb-function-to-combat-dr/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Driver Workload Estimator

Ford has been ahead of the curve when it comes to driver distraction - in both inviting potential sources of distraction into the car and then offering technological solutions to help keep drivers focused on the road. Ford's Sync and MyFord Touch systems are happy to make phone calls, play music from your phone, run smartphone apps, read text messages aloud, and allows you to manage almost all of it via voice activation.

However, as industry-leading as Sync's functionality may be, it's come under scrutiny from some safety researchers who insist that all such technology, even when it's voice-activated, is distracting. Ford certainly doesn't want its competitive advantage undermined, and with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration kicking around recommendations to combat distracted driving, proposed rules that could render navigation systems useless, the topic is certainly a hot one.

So that brings us to today's press release, in which Ford touts its research into what it's calling a "driver workload estimator." That five-dollar phrase is a convoluted way of saying the automaker is trying to figure out how to make its cars automatically block some of the functionality of Sync and MyFord Touch, especially incoming phone calls or text messages. Of course, Ford does not want this automatic activation of the do-not-disturb feature that's already part of MyFord Touch to make customers any more frustrated with the system than they already are. Thus the desire to incorporate biometric feedback into the system.

Ford says it can gather temperature, heart rate, and respiration through a special experimental steering wheel and seat belt. The car's computer could then use this information to augment data already coming from the rest of the vehicle to determine if it's not a good time to notify the driver that, say, her sister just accidentally butt-called her from the bar. While you could make the case that it's really never a good time for such a call, Ford is more concerned with keeping the phone from ringing when you're trying to merge into heavy freeway traffic.

And when might you be able to purchase such electronic wizardry? No time soon. We talked to Jeff Greenberg, Senior Technical Leader at Ford Research, and he told us that the company has no current production plans for the technology, as it's concerned about how customers will react to it. "We do have a lot to learn about what customers will accept," he said. Scroll down to read the full press release.

Continue reading Ford working on automatic "do not disturb" function to combat driver distraction

Ford working on automatic "do not disturb" function to combat driver distraction originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>do not disturbfordmyford touchsafetysynctechnologyThu, 28 Jun 2012 18:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20267629/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/28/ford-working-on-automatic-do-not-disturb-function-to-combat-dr/20267629/article-detail.xml 20267629 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/workloadestimatorinfographic-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/workloadestimatorinfographic-628.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo CEO admits automaker's cars are too complicated]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/25/volvo-ceo-admits-automakers-cars-are-too-complicated/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/25/volvo-ceo-admits-automakers-cars-are-too-complicated/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/25/volvo-ceo-admits-automakers-cars-are-too-complicated/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby

Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby has said his company's products are "too complicated for the consumer," according to Automotive News. Jacoby said 75 percent of Volvo customers don't know "all the possibilities they have with their car." He contrasted the automaker with Apple's intuitive products, which make consumers feel in control of a device instead of overwhelmed by its capabilities. The executive also made it clear that in order for the company to thrive, it needs to better cater to the next generation of car buyers. That means finding ways to improve connectivity in the vehicle.

Jacoby also reinforced his belief in the company's upcoming plug-in hybrid models, saying the vehicles are the "mid-term future" for Volvo. The CEO mentioned that either gasoline or diesel plug-ins will play a big part in the Swedish automaker's product portfolio, and that in the future, every Volvo model could bow with a plug-in hybrid version as well.

Volvo CEO admits automaker's cars are too complicated originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleceocomplicateddiesel hybriddiesel plug-in hybridplug-in hybridstefan jacobytechnologyvolvovolvo ceovolvo ceo stefan jacobyMon, 25 Jun 2012 10:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20264974/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/25/volvo-ceo-admits-automakers-cars-are-too-complicated/20264974/article-detail.xml 20264974 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/jacoby-plug-in-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/jacoby-plug-in-628.jpg <![CDATA[Ford powers up Silicon Valley Lab]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/17/ford-powers-up-silicon-valley-lab/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/17/ford-powers-up-silicon-valley-lab/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/17/ford-powers-up-silicon-valley-lab/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ford in Silicon Valley (map of Palo Alto)

Ford has officially opened the doors on the company's new facility in California. The Silicon Valley Lab in Palo Alto will serve as a hub for technology innovation where the manufacturer's engineers and designers can focus on independent projects designed to make vehicles safer and more convenient. Ford has similar facilities all over the world, but this is the first of its kind in the States. The company is hoping the location, smack in the middle of America's technology capitol, will help draw in new talent and open the door for further technology partnerships.

In addition to cultivating new relationships with other companies in the area, Ford will also use the Silicon Valley Lab as a repository for data. The automaker employs a raft of sensors on its vehicles, and that information can be later used to better tailor the driving experience on new models. Ford says it may also look to use the data to improve efficiency and lessen congestion. Check out the full press release by scrolling below.

Continue reading Ford powers up Silicon Valley Lab

Ford powers up Silicon Valley Lab originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Jun 2012 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordford motor companyford silicon valley labpalo altosilicon valleysilicon valley labtechnologySun, 17 Jun 2012 16:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20260568/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/17/ford-powers-up-silicon-valley-lab/20260568/article-detail.xml 20260568 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/ford-in-palo-alto_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/ford-in-palo-alto.jpg -1 2