NEW YORK (AP) — Seven midsize vehicles earned the top rating in a new insurance industry test of high-tech safety features designed to prevent front-end collisions. The Cadillac ATS and SRX, Subaru Legacy and Outback, Mercedes C-Class and Volvo S60 and XC60 won “superior” ratings in tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The […]
Automotive/Transportation
New steering tech for heavy equipment saves fuel, ups efficiency
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Researchers at Purdue University have shown how to reduce fuel consumption while improving the efficiency of hydraulic steering systems in heavy construction equipment. The new approach incorporates several innovations: It eliminates valves now needed to direct the flow of hydraulic fluid in steering systems and uses advanced algorithms and models to […]
New sensor could prolong the lifespan of high-temperature engines
A new, highly-accurate temperature sensor could save manufacturers millions in maintenance costs, lower fuel consumption, and prolong the lifespan of jet engines, nuclear reactors and other types of large gas turbine engines. A temperature sensor developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge could improve the efficiency, control and safety of high-temperature engines. The sensor […]
Japan automakers launch low-cost green cars at Indonesia auto show
JAKARTA, Sept. 19 (Kyodo) — Japanese automakers launched their low-cost green cars at the 21st Indonesia International Motor Show 2013 that opened Thursday in Jakarta, hoping to capitalize on a new Indonesian government policy that gives tax exemptions for the eco-friendly cars. The luxury tax exemption, expected to give a boost for Japanese car manufacturers, […]
Innovative auto steering device could save lives
It can take up to two and a half turns to steer a modern vehicle. While turning, the driver must release the wheel in the necessary hand-over-hand movement, which is unsafe. In his upcoming HFES 2013 Annual Meeting paper, Rene Guerster, who has been concerned with steering improvement since he was a child, proposes an […]
Hybrids, concept cars generate auto show buzz
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Here are 10 of the most eagerly awaited new cars going on display at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The show opens to journalists on Tuesday, industry visitors on Thursday and the public on Saturday. It runs through Sept. 22. — BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car: Uses carbon fiber parts to […]
Authentic brain waves improve driver security
Brain wave biometrics prevent vehicle hijacking and halt intoxicated drivers One-time entry authentication methods, such as passwords, iris scanners and fingerprint recognition are fine for simple entry whether to a protected building or a private web page. But, a continuous biometric system is needed in some circumstances such as authenticating drivers of vehicles carrying valuable […]
Engineering Newswire 53: New keyboard shocks internet abusers
Today on Engineering Newswire, brought to you by Mouser Electronics, the electronic components distributor with the widest selection of the newest products, we’re catching asteroids, detecting dirty Fords, printing rocket engine components, and shocking Facebook users for deviant behavior. This episode features: – During the asteroid redirect mission, the Orion spacecraft and crew would launch […]
Nissan pledges to make self-driving cars by 2020
IRVINE, California (AP) — Nissan Motor Co. says it will make cars that drive themselves by 2020. The Japanese automaker made the pledge Tuesday at an event in California. CEO Carlos Ghosn has said before that he wants Nissan to be the first to sell self-driving cars. But Tuesday’s announcement was more specific. Nissan says […]
Number of fast-charging stations for electric vehicles set to rise to nearly 200,000 in 2020
Fast-charging technologies are driving the growth of the electric vehicle (EV) recharging market, with the cumulative number of stations established worldwide expanding by a factor of more than 100 times from 2012 to 2020, according to a new report from IHS Automotive, part of IHS. Total fast-charging stations for EVs are set to reach 199,000 […]