BMW and Volkswagen demonstrating safety technology for AKTIV project in Germany

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:26:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Safety, Technology, BMW, Volkswagen

This week BMW and Volkswagen are demonstrating the results of their work on the four-year German government funded Adaptive and Cooperative Technologies for Intelligent Traffic (AKTIV) project. AKTIV includes a group of German automakers, suppliers and communications companies to develop and test systems that will improve traffic flow, safety and fuel efficiency.

The various sub-projects within AKTIV utilize car-to-car, car-to-infrastructure and in-vehicle technologies to help inform the driver of what's transpiring around the vehicle and, in some cases, the vehicle will respond autonomously. Among the technologies in use are cameras, radar and laser sensors all developed to automatically brake the vehicle to prevent collisions, along with messaging systems that can warn of pedestrians or vehicles coming from around a corner.

Volkswagen has also incorporated communications messages about road work and other congestion into the adaptive cruise control (ACC) to help improve the traffic flow by adjusting the control strategy for the ACC. Cars are taken through the narrower section of road at constant speed and a safe distance and then accelerated out on the other side to keep things moving along. BMW has even incorporated the communications systems into motorcycles to allow riders to be more aware. Get the full details in the press release after the break.

Gallery: BMW AKTIV Technology

Gallery: Volkswagen AKTIV technology

[Source: Volkswagen, BMW]

Continue reading BMW and Volkswagen demonstrating safety technology for AKTIV project in Germany

BMW and Volkswagen demonstrating safety technology for AKTIV project in Germany originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford announces car-to-grid communications system for EVs

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Ford, Electric

At a conference in Dearborn today with its utility and research partners, Ford Motor Co. announced a new intelligent vehicle-to-grid communications system. This communications strategy is a major component of the field testing program that has been ongoing since late 2007. Ford is building 21 plug-in hybrid Escape SUVs that are being evaluated with the automaker's utility partners. The new communications system allows drivers to program how and when the vehicles will be charged. Among other things driver can define the completion time for charging or desired charging rates.

When the car is plugged in to an outlet with a smart meter, the meter can provide cost and time information back to the vehicle. Based on this information, the vehicle can be automatically programmed to start charging during off-peak hours. The smart meters use wireless communications to get the data about local electric rates and usage, and if multiple vehicles in a neighborhood are plugged in simultaneously, the meters can help manage the charging to prevent overloaded circuits.

In the vehicle, the system is integrated into the navigation and Works Solutions systems that Ford already offers to commercial truck customers. Works Solutions includes an in-dash computer with a touchscreen for the user interface. All of the Blue Oval's PHEV test vehicles are getting the new communications system and it will likely appear on the production Transit Connect BEV next year and the Focus based EV in 2011. Check out the press release after the jump for more details.

[Source: Ford Motor Company]

Continue reading Ford announces car-to-grid communications system for EVs

Ford announces car-to-grid communications system for EVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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