Section: Tech
Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 16th, 2008 12:00 PM
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While Volkswagen was experimenting with self-parking systems as early as 1992’s IRVW concept car (pictured), new reports from Brit magazine Autocar indicate that a completely driverless version of the technology is in the works for production.
Unlike the Toyota developed parking aids, which allow a driver to parallel park a car without touching the wheel, VW’s system is said to do be capable of doing its thing with no human inside the car at all. Maybe we’re just being a little short sighted but we can’t think of too many situations in which that would come in handy.
Nevertheless, VW tells Autocar, “the technology the system uses is all in use today in one form or another. It is now a matter of perfecting the system for everyday use.”
+ Autocar
Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 24th, 2008 1:00 PM
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A strange yet nearly practical idea from designer Hanyoung Lee, this virtual wall could spell the way forward for increased pedestrian safety in large urban centers.
The virtual barrier is created using a plasma laser that, while not strong enough to damage humans or vehicles, provides a stunningly powerful visual effect that would seem to effectively communicate where vehicles should stop before crosswalks. The wall would clearly indicate to cars when and where to stop by projecting the laser “walkers” exactly where the crosswalk begins, making it easier for cars to see than the current system of stripes painted on the pavement (though we’d guess it to be abjectly more expensive as well).
Making the whole operation more plausible is the idea that the same laser walls could be used to project advertisements while commuters wait. Check out some renderings of the concept in our gallery below.
+ Concept Trends: The future of traffic lights
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 14th, 2008 4:00 PM
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While most of the spy photographs we publish are pictures of entire automobiles, this leaked photo happens to show one very important new engine…all on its own.
Set up for display at a recent dealer show in Las Vegas, the picture above shows Ford’s all-new 4.4-liter V-8 diesel engine, which is slated to be available in 2010 as part of the Super Duty pickup range. An attendant placard tells us that the power output will be around 340 horsepower with 430 pound-feet of torque. Ford tells us that those numbers represent substantial gains over a 5.4-liter gas engine, including a nine percent boost in power, fifteen percent in torque, and twenty percent in fuel economy.
In addition to the F-150 lineup the new diesel should make its way into the Expedition, Navigator, and new E-Series vans.
+ PickupTruck.com: Unofficial Pictures: Ford’s Upcoming 4.4-Liter V8 Diesel
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 9th, 2008 4:00 PM
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One of the many safety features on the very fast Nissan GT-R is a speed limiter that would only switch off when a GPS link messaged back to the home office saying that the car was within the safe bounds of a race track. On normal roads the sophisticatedly encrypted ECU would only allow GT-R owners to play at speeds up to 112 mph.
All that is said to be changing however, as U.S.-based company COBB Tuning has said that it has cracked the ECU, and is in the process of in-house testing. Along with allowing the untethered GT-R to reach its fully mad top-end of 193 mph (claimed), cracking the Nissan computer should also allow COBB to tinker with fuel-mapping and boost pressure controls.
COBB has also been busy working with Nissan’s 350Z and Infiniti G37; the company plans to have aftermarket exhaust systems, suspension mods, and more electronic trickery available soon for those cars as well.
+ Motor Authority: Nissan GT-R ECU cracked and delimited
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 8th, 2008 3:00 PM
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Originally developed for the bleary eyes of drivers in the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans, this set of fancy specs is said to aid in night vision.
The TAG Heuer glasses apparently utilize contrast and color technology to maximize vision in dark conditions, instead of the expensive and bulky heat signature tracking of more sophisticated systems. The golden glasses are built on titanium frames and feature “Reflex-style” flexible temple sections.
+ Uncrate: TAG Heuer Night Vision Driving Glasses
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 27th, 2008 3:00 PM
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Any BMW enthusiasts that have ever found themselves really rocking out to their favorite track while at the wheel of a Z3 roadster; owe a debt of gratitude to audio designer Bob Carver, though they probably don’t know it. In a humorous interview with The Absolute Sound magazine, the audio maestro reveals his interesting, and illuminating first impression with the BMW sound team.
Carver was asked by the German automaker to come to Munich and lend a helping hand in the design of a subwoofer for the Z3. When he arrived at the BMW audio lab, Carver says that he instantly knew he was among like-minded audiophiles.
(Click through the jump to read on.)
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 26th, 2008 11:00 AM
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A while back we reported on an innovative new service from website Njection.com, which mapped local speed traps and red light cameras for the benefit of drivers.
Now, in what seems like a natural pairing for both companies, Njection and Garmin GPS Systems are teaming up to provide ticket-stopping data for users on the go. Drivers will be able to download speed trap information onto their Garmin unit, and then set it to sniff out potential traps before they arrive. The system will give a warning when a driver comes within a preselected distance from the potential hazard.
The Garmin and Njection system, especially if used in conjunction with a traditional radar detector, would seem to give another useful and portable layer of protection against tickets to speedy motorists. Now, if only they could program it to disable cell phone signals, and force a driver’s hands to stay on the wheel…
Thanks to Marty for the tip.
(Click through the jump to read Njection’s press release or check out a selection of Garmin products below.)
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 12th, 2008 3:00 PM
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The world’s largest oil refiner, Exxon Mobil, is helping to develop a revolutionary new battery technology, that could help light the way forward for all-electric vehicles. The oil company believes that it’s getting in on the ground floor of what could be the dominant transportation mode for the near future.
Exxon developed a type of film, initially to be used in cell phone batteries, that has been found to be extremely valuable for the type of lithium-ion batteries that could be used in new hybrids and EVs. The film is able to withstand temperatures of up to 374 degrees, and can help to prevent them from overheating and exploding, one of the main and scary drawbacks to li-ion technology.
(Click through the jump to read on.)
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Written By: Dustin P. Walsh
March 7th, 2008 2:30 PM
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Microsoft wants the Sync system to offer more to its consumers. Martin Thall, the General Manager of Microsoft’s Automotive Business Unit, said that five years from now the system will be able to provide real-time updates on local services and gas prices – something other Sat-Nav infotainment providers are already doing.
But, as Thall pointed out, this type of infotainment system is expensive – both for the manufacturer and the consumer. So, to curb the system’s cost and keep it subscription free, the system may, in the future, display advertisements and/or incentives aimed toward bringing consumers to stop by local stores. An example may be Starbucks offering a free MP3 downloaded directly to your car if you stop in and purchase a latte.
(More details after the jump)
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 6th, 2008 3:30 PM
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Automotive design house Fioravanti brought its blatantly futuristic concept called Hidra to the Geneva Motor Show this year, which featured an innovation that could render the common windshield wiper obsolete. That is, if huge sums of money, product lifespan, and production capacity are no object.
The Hidra utilizes a window clearing system called Geyser, which is said to be capable of doing a far better job keeping a windshield clean than traditional wipers. The complex system is based on a layered windshield, which uses titanium dioxide to filter UV rays and spread water evenly over the surface. Another layer somehow pushes road dirt to the edges of the window, at which point small nozzles blow the filth away from the car. A final layer is responsible for conducting the electricity to power the entire operation.
(Click through the jump to read on including the Fioravanti Hidra press release.)
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 6th, 2008 10:00 AM
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While much of the action on BMW’s stand at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show focused on the new M3 Convertible, there were some interesting goings on inside of the new X6 on display.
Much has been made of automakers providing vehicle-based internet access, but BMW is looking to take the lead in that cutting-edge arena. The automaker is planning to offer a production version of its ConnectedDrive system by the end of the year, which will allow for unlimited web browsing while on the go. BMW says that the functioning display model it has in the X6 at Geneva is a prototype, but that the final consumer version of the system won’t look a lot different.
ConnectedDrive will be interfaced with BMW’s much-discussed iDrive, with the web pages appearing on a high resolution, dash-mounted display (pictured). The engineers have wisely limited front-seat access to the system to when the engine is turned off, but passengers with an optional rear display (and a special iDrive interface) will be able to browse while the car is running.
In case you missed it, have a look at BMW’s new M3 Convertible at its Geneva launch below.
+ Car Tech: BMW to offer full in-car Web access
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
February 28th, 2008 8:00 AM
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Close observers of the Formula One’s recent winter testing at Barcelona may have noticed the conspicuous absence of marshals waving caution flags when something goes awry. That’s because F1 is trying out its latest innovation in the name of driver safety, the electronic flag.
Placed prominently in the braking zone, these large displays are able to change to all the applicable F1 colors, and are said to be much easier to see than a marshal waving from the sidelines. The FIA has considered the electronic items for a while, liking the notion of the race director being able to have control over deploying the flags from a central location.
What’s more, with these electric warning signs hooked up to a standard control unit, teams will be able to easily integrate software into their cars that will allow the current flag to be displayed on a driver’s steering wheel. Fancy.
Tell us if you think the FIA is on the right or wrong track, in comments.
+ F1-Live: Electronic flags on test
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
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