One external contractor was killed at a Volkswagon plant in Germany when an assembly line robot struck him in the chest and pushed him against a metal plate, the Financial Times said today. The robot was not a collaborative model designed to work next to humans without any need for protective equipment. Instead, it was […]
Examining Apple Music; Apple Car Rumors Continue
There are plenty of Apple rumors this week: a small iPhone called the 6C may be released next year, and is the company still working on a car of its own? One thing Apple did for sure was release the streaming service Apple Music, which one designer examined in a review of the user experience. […]
European Study Tests Wearables for Cows
We’ve written before about tracking domestic herd animals using the Internet of Things. Recently, researchers at Cambridge Industrial Design were commissioned by True North Technologies to create high-tech cow trackers, which can track the bovines’ behavior and location. The trackers are shaped like cow bells, hung around the animal’s necks as usual. Inside, though, they’re […]
Chevrolet Bolt EV May Be On the Road Before 2017
Chevrolet‘s $30,000 long-range all-electric car may be on the market sooner than expected, although General Motors hasn’t yet said exactly how far ahead of the 2017 target date the Bolt might be on the road. The Bolt is positioned as a rival to Tesla’s Model 3, which will retail for $35,000 after government incentives. It’s […]
Remaking a 1970s Electric Car; Model S Isn’t Delayed
It’s electric! Tesla’s Model S has faced some questions about its upcoming release, but the company says that the $35,000 car is on track to be released in 2017. If that’s too long a wait, you could build your own electric vehicle the likes of Johnny Smith’s Flux Capacitor. Built from the shell of an […]
Chevrolet’s Newest Press Release is Written in Emoji
Today, Chevrolet released a bizarre announcement written entirely in emoji symbols. It has something to do with the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, but "words can’t describe" the new compact car, the company said, choosing instead to intrigue prospective customers with symbols. A version translated into standard English will be released at 2 p.m. on June 23, […]
Details Emerge About Tesla’s Model 3
More details have emerged about the Telsa Model 3, the electric car expected to be available in 2017 for $35,000 before incentives. One June 9, Elon Musk said at an annual stockholders meeting that the Model 3 may have a single motor, with an optional upgrade to two. On the Model S, two motors enable […]
Electric Smartscooter Charging Network Will Soon Open in Taiwan
First smart cars, now smart scooters: Taiwan-based company Gogoro will begin offering pre-orders of its battery-powered, rechargeable Smartscooter on July 27. (It’s only available in Taipei, Taiwan for now.) The scooter runs on two batteries that can be recharged at public stations, like Tesla’s Superchargers. It has a range of about 60 miles, and the […]
New Toyota Diesel Engines Up Efficiency
Toyota has introduced two new engines, the 2.8-liter turbocharged diesel engine shipping with the Hilux small pickup available in Thailand and a 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine shipping with the partially revamped Land Cruiser Prado available in Japan. Both are part of the company’s effort to create more efficient engines: the 2.8 liter version reaches thermal efficiency […]
Intel Aquires Wearables Maker Recon
Intel has acquired Recon Instruments for an alleged $175 million, gaining a portfolio of wearables including the augmented reality goggles called Recon Jet. Recon also produces heads-up displays and other digital augmentations for sports eyewear. All 75 of their employees will join Intel to work on wearables in the New Devices Group. It’s possible that […]