Motor Authority - blog Tag: Technology

The idea of conveying information to humans in a compact, effective way in a short time has long been a challenge for the computer industry. As computers play more and more central roles in our cars, that problem becomes one central to daily driving as well.

It's compounded by the fact that most of the time we're in our cars, we're actively participating in an activity that requires most of our focus: driving. So finding a way to get information to the driver without creating unnecessary distraction or loss of meaning is all the more important, especially if that information is driving directions, safety or weather details, or even...

The idea of conveying information to humans in a compact, effective way in a short time has long been a challenge for the computer industry. As computers play more and more central roles in our cars, that problem becomes one central to daily driving as well. It's compounded by the fact that most of the time we're in our cars, we're actively participating in an activity that requires most of our focus: driving. So finding a way to get information to the driver without creating unnecessary distraction or loss of meaning is all the more important, especially if that information is driving directions, safety or weather details, or even information about the car or its entertainment systems. Enter AIDA, a collaborative project between MIT and Audi. The AIDA acronym explains the system well: Affective, Intelligent Driving Agent. It's intended to play the role of an involved, knowledgeable companion that helps the driver whenever possible. The most important aspect of the communication system AIDA uses may be the facial simulation. Humans innately understand facial expressions and though AIDA's face isn't human in nature, it's easily interpreted according to the same basic rules. It's also a very quick way to express emergent information, particularly with accompanying voice information. Speculative fiction authors like Neal Stephenson have explored this concept as a form of human-machine interface for decades now, but it's finally entering the realm of reality, and it's pretty exciting to watch. To make itself useful, AIDA learns your habits behind the wheel, including recognizing when you go to the grocery store, when you need fuel, and where you're going once all your errands are done. It constantly monitors the environment around it, suggesting reroutes as necessary to avoid traffic or accidents. The AIDA system is a lot like Nissan's Pivo robot-car concept shown off at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, with a similarly cute and quirky robotic assistant inside. The AIDA system is understandably more advanced, however, due to the innovations made in the past two years. For more details on the AIDA system, including footage of it in action, watch the video below. [Via Engadget] Read More

Keeping drivers and pedestrians safe behind the wheel, once little more than an afterthought, has become a major focus of the automotive industry and governmental regulation in recent years. To help reach new heights of safety, engineers are applying the computers and advanced technology in ways that might have seemed fictional just a few years ago. Volvo's new collision avoidance system, called Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection, is due to debut on the 2010 S60, and is a prime example.

Designed around the idea of preventing collisions with pedestrians, the Volvo system recognizes people near the car and brakes...

Keeping drivers and pedestrians safe behind the wheel, once little more than an afterthought, has become a major focus of the automotive industry and governmental regulation in recent years. To help reach new heights of safety, engineers are applying the computers and advanced technology in ways that might have seemed fictional just a few years ago. Volvo's new collision avoidance system, called Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection, is due to debut on the 2010 S60, and is a prime example. Designed around the idea of preventing collisions with pedestrians, the Volvo system recognizes people near the car and brakes appropriately to avoid coming into contact with them. But it's far from a "dumb" system--it tracks and anticipates the paths of pedestrians, and reacts accordingly. Volvo says it can completely avoid any collision below 15 mph. That's a pretty important advancement. While cars like Mercedes-Benz's S-Class and BMW's 7-series have had infrared pedestrian detection and warning systems for some time now, they haven't yet ventured into the realm of active collision avoidance. This isn't something that could be used to completely eliminate crashes on the interstate or for other fast-moving traffic, but it can serve to mitigate the effects of such crashes by slowing the car before impact. The system is demonstrated, and explained, in the video below, as applied on the streets of Copenhagen behind the wheel of a prototype S60. The end goal of Volvo's ongoing work in this field is to build a car that cannot crash. Minority Report here we come. The 2010 Volvo S60 isn't due for release until next year, though the car's concept form is expected to very closely predict the production car's design. [Volvo] Read More

It's not even out yet and already the 2010 Jaguar XJ is grabbing headlines all across the spectrum--from its controversial roofline and C-pillar to a possibly illegal dual-view navigation screen, the next XJ is pushing boundaries. Following on that theme, the 2010 XJ will also include a relatively new technology as standard equipment: HD Radio.

The HD Radio feature will be offered throughout Jaguar's North American territory.  The 2010 XJ is available for order, but won't be hitting dealerships until early next year. If you just can't wait, the XKR and XFR also offer HD Radio as standard equipment and are on sale now.

Big deal you say?...

It's not even out yet and already the 2010 Jaguar XJ is grabbing headlines all across the spectrum--from its controversial roofline and C-pillar to a possibly illegal dual-view navigation screen, the next XJ is pushing boundaries. Following on that theme, the 2010 XJ will also include a relatively new technology as standard equipment: HD Radio. The HD Radio feature will be offered throughout Jaguar's North American territory.  The 2010 XJ is available for order, but won't be hitting dealerships until early next year. If you just can't wait, the XKR and XFR also offer HD Radio as standard equipment and are on sale now. Big deal you say? Well, consider that while XM Sirius satellite radio offers a wide range of genre-specific stations, it also requires a monthly subscription. HD Radio provides the highest-quality over-the-air digital talk and music all for free. Combined with the available 1,200-Watt Bowers & Wilkins premium surround system available on the 2010 XJ, the HD Radio channels are sure to sound fantastic. The Bowers & Wilkins sound system first debuted in the XF sedan in 2007. [Jaguar] Further pushing the high-tech boundaries for the XJ sedan is the recently-presented Limo Green plug-in hybrid concept, which you can read more about here. Read More

Dual-view displays have been billed as the hottest new technology to hit the automobile since GPS, and though the hype might be overdone, there's a lot of merit to the idea. Americans might not get to find out, however, due to a law prohibiting front-seat entertainment systems.

Based in the common-sense idea of limiting driver distractions, the law also technically rules out use of the new dual-view technology which feeds different images to driver and passenger from a single screen.

Jaguar's new 2010 XJ flagship could be one of the first victims of the law, reports Autocar. The company's own Ian Callum, chief of design, says it's... Dual-view displays have been billed as the hottest new technology to hit the automobile since GPS, and though the hype might be overdone, there's a lot of merit to the idea. Americans might not get to find out, however, due to a law prohibiting front-seat entertainment systems. Based in the common-sense idea of limiting driver distractions, the law also technically rules out use of the new dual-view technology which feeds different images to driver and passenger from a single screen. Jaguar's new 2010 XJ flagship could be one of the first victims of the law, reports Autocar. The company's own Ian Callum, chief of design, says it's "technically illegal." That technicality could be enough to keep the system out of early models, at least until the regulation can be changed to allow for the new technology. Of course, that assumes that regulators will be willing to change the rule to allow such dual-view systems. Given that the whole purpose of the dual-view system is to keep the driver supplied with navigation or other important behind-the-wheel info while limiting the entertainment side to passenger view, approval seems likely, though as with all things governmental, don't expect quick action. Check out our preview story for more on dual-view technology. [Autocar]2010 Jaguar XJ Read More

Former president Bush signed the $25 billion Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program into life last year, but for the past 8 months, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has sat on the money, carefully evaluating applications to see which companies would make the best use of the funds. That was until last week when the first announcements of disbursement were made from Ford's Research and Innovation Center in Dearborn, Michigan.

The same funding program, earmarked for both automakers and suppliers, would be doubled to $50 billion under a bill passed by the House on Friday night. Attached to the climate-change... Former president Bush signed the $25 billion Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program into life last year, but for the past 8 months, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has sat on the money, carefully evaluating applications to see which companies would make the best use of the funds. That was until last week when the first announcements of disbursement were made from Ford's Research and Innovation Center in Dearborn, Michigan. The same funding program, earmarked for both automakers and suppliers, would be doubled to $50 billion under a bill passed by the House on Friday night. Attached to the climate-change legislation, the bill now goes to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain. The Senate rejected a similar bill last year, reports Automotive News. Under the program, up to 80% of the cost of a high-tech fuel-efficient vehicle's project costs can be financed with loaned funds, at a payback period of 25 years at an interest rate of around 4%. But to get that loan, companies must issue a security interest in all property the funds are used to purchase or acquire. Vehicles built with the loan money must be at least 25% more efficient than required by federal law, effectively ruling out most SUV and trucks, as well as many large sedans, luxury and performance cars. The latest updates to the bill would require each electric utility to consider creating charging stations on the street, in parking garages and lots, in homes, at fuel stations and at highway rest stops. So far, the DOE has awarded $5.9 billion in loans to Ford for development of new electric compact car, $1.6 billion to Nissan for construction of a plant in Tennessee for a new electric car, and $465 million to Tesla to help speed up development of the Model S electric sedan. The DOE has said it plans to award much of the remaining $17 billion in the next few months to automakers and parts suppliers.Ford Focus Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)Tesla Model S Prototype Read More

President Bush signed the $25 billion Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program into life last year, but for the past 8 months, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has sat on the money, carefully evaluating applications to see which companies would make the best use of the funds. Today the first announcements of disbursement were made from Ford's Research and Innovation Center in Dearborn, Michigan.

The three recipients - Ford, Nissan and Tesla - will be getting a total of about $8 billion in loans to help fund the development of advanced technology fuel-efficient vehicles. Ford will get $5.9 billion of those funds, while... President Bush signed the $25 billion Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program into life last year, but for the past 8 months, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has sat on the money, carefully evaluating applications to see which companies would make the best use of the funds. Today the first announcements of disbursement were made from Ford's Research and Innovation Center in Dearborn, Michigan. The three recipients - Ford, Nissan and Tesla - will be getting a total of about $8 billion in loans to help fund the development of advanced technology fuel-efficient vehicles. Ford will get $5.9 billion of those funds, while Nissan will get $1.6 billion and Tesla will get $465 million, reports the AP. With those loan figures, both Ford and Nissan will be able to push ahead at full speed with their existing EV and hybrid programs, but it's Tesla that will benefit the most from the loans, despite receiving the smallest amount. That's because the loan money will enable Tesla to meet its goals in building a new plant for the all-electric Model S Sedan, which Tesla hopes will be a volume seller and catapult the company into more mainstream status. Check out our previous coverage for more on Tesla's plans to build the Model S or its plans for the Tesla Roadster. Ford won't be losing out with its $5.9 billion loans, however. A recent study by the University of Michigan revealed that Detroit's carmakers could actually become more profitable by improving their average fuel efficiency. According to the study, as much as $2.9 billion in extra profit could be found if the carmakers can push their average fuel efficiency from the current 26.9mpg to the federally-mandated 35mpg by 2020, according to the Detroit Free Press. With some help to cover the initial outlay of cash to develop the more efficient vehicles, Ford out to be able to reap the benefits of the improved profitability even while paying back its loans - if the study's conclusions hold true in the real world. Ford is confident it will be able to make good with the government's help, however. "Ford is absolutely committed to fuel economy leadership with every new model we introduce. In fact, we plan to invest nearly $14 billion in advanced technology vehicles in the next seven years. Our partnership with the Department of Energy also will help retool our U.S. plants more quickly to produce fuel efficient vehicles and help meet the new, rigorous fuel-economy requirements," said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally. Nissan, too, is happy with the loan amount. "This loan is an investment in America. It will help us put high-quality, affordable zero-emissions vehicles on our roads," said Dominique Thormann, senior vice president, Administration and Finance for NNA. "This project will expand our Smyrna plant and that’s great economic news."Ford Focus Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Read More