Self-driving vehicles offer the promise of significant benefits to society, but raise several policy challenges, including the need to update insurance liability regulations and privacy concerns such as who will control the data generated by this technology, according to a new RAND Corporation study. “Our research finds that the social benefits of autonomous vehicles — […]
Automotive/Transportation
Ford to unveil solar hybrid concept car at CES
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Ford plans to unveil at this month’s International CES gadget show a solar-powered concept car that offers the same performance as a plug-in hybrid but without the need for a plug. The C-MAX Solar Energi Concept car uses a gasoline engine combined with a gizmo that acts like a magnifying glass […]
Delphi to highlight automated driving technologies at 2014 International CES
TROY, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec 30, 2013–As one of the few automotive suppliers that can deliver the extensive portfolio needed for tomorrow’s automated vehicles, Delphi Automotive PLC (NYSE: DLPH) will showcase highly integrated active safety and connectivity technologies at the upcoming 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show. These technologies will be key building blocks to achieving fully automated […]
Innovative vehicle-to-vehicle communications
Last September, several major car and automotive systems manufacturers, including Daimler, Nissan, and Tesla, announced plans to commercially introduce autonomous self-driving cars by 2020. These manufacturers join a list of companies, like Toyota and Audi, who have already announced similar development projects. Self-driving cars are no longer considered just a dream or an advanced research […]
What’s the most innovative aspect of vehicle-to-vehicle communications?
What’s the most innovative aspect of vehicle-to-vehicle communications? Andreas Mai, Director of Product Management, Cisco Systems, Inc. V2V communication and onboard sensing technologies can protect drivers and their families from crashes, while helping prevent (or avoid) traffic jams and serving as an enabler for automated driving. Industry experts expect that, by 2020, 50 to 70 […]
Toyota eyes putting higher focus on environmental, safety technologies
NAGOYA, Dec. 17 (Kyodo) — Toyota Motor Corp. plans to increase resources including funds and engineers devoted to advanced environmental and safety technologies starting next year even at the cost of reducing such resources for the development of new models, sources close to the matter said Tuesday. The automaker is also considering accelerating standardizing parts […]
Monolithic flyback DC/DC converter actively balances high-voltage stacks of batteries
[[{“fid”:”35579″,”view_mode”:”default”,”fields”:{“field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]”:””,”field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]”:””},”type”:”media”,”attributes”:{“height”:300,”width”:300,”style”:”float: right; margin: 5px;”,”title”:”LT8584″,”class”:”media-element file-default”}}]]Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT8584, a monolithic flyback DC/DC converter designed to actively balance high voltage stacks of batteries. These battery stacks are commonly found in electric and hybrid vehicles as well as fail-safe power supplies and energy storage systems. Because these batteries are stacked in series, the lowest capacity […]
Engineering Update #37: A drone-hacking drone
This episode is brought to you by Components Corporation (https://www.componentscorp.com), who for 25 years have expanded the possibilities of storage so that companies can create game-changing products. In this week’s episode of Engineering Update: · Volvo to put 100 autonomous cars on the road by 2017: Volvo has proven itself an important contender in the race […]
Brazil gov’t may backtrack on auto safety laws
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The Brazilian government may delay “by one or two years” the implementation of a law requiring automakers to install frontal air bags and anti-lock braking systems in all new cars, the finance minister said Wednesday. Safety advocates decried the idea of any delay, saying that in terms of safety, Brazilian […]
Leo partners with Venturi for FIA team
MONACO (AP) — Catch him if you can: Leonardo DiCaprio is getting into the electric race-car business. The Oscar-nominated actor announced Monday he’s partnering with Venturi Automobiles and will enter a team in the FIA Formula E Championship, which is the first series exclusively for electric cars. The DiCaprio-backed entry is the 10th and final […]