TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 10, 2012 – Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS), today announced that it will conduct a safety recall involving approximately 2.5 million vehicles to inspect and apply special fluorine grease to the driver’s side Power Window Master Switch (PWMS). The vehicles involved include:• 2007 to 2008 Yaris (approx. 110,300)• 2007 to 2009 […]
Automotive/Transportation
September 2012: Power
In this issue of ECN, Associate Editor Kasey Panetta writes about the steady proliferation of electric vehicle charging stations, Jon Titus discusses brushless DC motors, and Executive Editor Chris Warner sounds the alarm about the encroaching reality of sci-fi dystopias. See it here.
Warning, automatic braking systems on autos will help save lives, research predicts
The second highest cause of automobile crashes is rear-end collisions – 17 percent. Thousands of people die. The solution? “It is simple,” said Clay Gabler, a professor of biomedical engineering at Virginia Tech. “Slow the striking vehicle.” The concept is simple. Execution is complex and expensive. But in a life-and-death scenario, it is worth the […]
Microsoft Collaborating With Toyota On Global Communications
(PRNewswire) Microsoft Corp. announced that Toyota Motor Corp. has chosen Microsoft’s technology platforms to build its communications and collaboration infrastructure for the Toyota family of companies worldwide. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., and other affiliates in North America began the deployment of Microsoft Office 365-dedicated cloud services as their exclusive environment in June 2012. In […]
UQM Announces Strategic Alliance In China
(BUSINESS WIRE) UQM Technologies, Inc. has signed a memorandum of understanding with a major Chinese company for the development and marketing of UQM electric propulsion systems for New Energy Vehicles in China. , and represents an initial step to penetrate the Chinese market. UQM provides its customers with both custom electric propulsion solutions and automotive-qualified […]
Amsterdam goes green with electric scooter taxis
(Reuters) – Six years ago Dutchman Ruben Beugels was on an Amsterdam tram that broke down, leaving him stuck in an out-of-the way place, and late for an appointment when he couldn’t quickly find another means of transport. “I was very frustrated at being late, and it was then that I thought, hey a scooter […]
Nobody’s driving: California governor signs legislation paving the way for driverless cars
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown rode to Google headquarters in a self-driving Toyota Prius before signing legislation Tuesday that will pave the way for driverless cars in California. The bill by Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla will establish safety and performance regulations to test and operate autonomous vehicles on state roads and highways. […]
Electric car maker Tesla unveils solar-powered charging stations to promote longer trips
HAWTHORNE, Calif. (AP) — Tesla Motors Inc. unveiled a solar-powered charging station on Monday that it said will make refueling electric vehicles on long trips about as fast as stopping for gas and a bathroom break in a conventional car. CEO Elon Musk said at a news conference at the company’s design studio that the […]
This app could save your teen driver’s life
We’ve all seen it. You’re driving down the road and see someone driving erratically only to find that person is messing with the radio, yelling at their reprobate children, shaving, eating, or applying makeup. Distracted driving has taken on an entirely new meaning with the advent of texting. Let me show you how serious it’s […]
Toyota drops plan for widespread sales of electric car
(Reuters) – Toyota Motor Corp has scrapped plans for widespread sales of a new all-electric minicar, saying it had misread the market and the ability of still-emerging battery technology to meet consumer demands. Toyota, which had already taken a more conservative view of the market for battery-powered cars than rivals General Motors Co and Nissan […]