Category Archives: concept

Breathing? Toyota Connected Cabin Awareness Uses 4D Radar

It has the capability to sense micro movements, defined as a heartbeat, motion and respiration of occupants across three full seating rows, the cargo area and footwells. It also classifies all occupants according to size, posture and position – supporting advanced safety applications. Continue reading

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BMW iX Flow Connected Directly to the Brain?

“We have already introduced further improvements for the technology since CES,” said Stella Clarke, project lead of the BMW iX Flow. “Previously, the changes between color patterns only took place in a gradual transition. Now, the control electronics have been tweaked to enable instantaneous transformations, resulting in an even more stunning visual effect.” Sounds like a stoner on speed to AutoInformed. Keep truckin’. Continue reading

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Volvo Cars Shows Concept Recharge EV

By using sustainable materials inside the car, equipping it with tires from recycled and renewable material, improving aerodynamics Volvo Cars can take steps to reduce its carbon impact through the car itself. Combining those with the use of clean energy throughout a de-carbonized supply chain, manufacturing process and use phase of the car, Volvo Cars believes it can reduce a car’s lifecycle CO2 impact by 80% versus a 2018 Volvo XC60, without losing the qualities that Volvo cars have become known for. This would mean that the Concept Recharge would have an overall lifecycle CO2 impact below 10 tons, when charged with 100% renewable energy – if, big if, Volvo is able to pull this off in a global economy that is self-destructing from the use of subsidized fossil fuels and little progress on addressing Global Warming. Continue reading

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Personalization – Bronco Riptide Project Vehicle Shown

It is part of Ford’s newly launched outdoor brand “Built Wild” with only-4×4 vehicles. Marketing Babble Alert> The 2021 Bronco Riptide custom build is designed with “West Coast fun and factory-backed accessory personalization in mind.” Continue reading

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Nouveaux Chic? Renault Trafic Hippie Caviar Hotel

Whatever. The van’s dimensions make it easy to park. As to the claims that a camper-van after repeated lockdowns can fill the urge to escape without accommodation constraints with the application of the sanitary restrictions related to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which leads to a “stress-free life” – well maybe designers were smoking something. Consider: “Hippie Caviar Hotel is our take on the nomadic hotel concept, based on connected services.” Sounds reasonable so far, but… Continue reading

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EU – Rideable Bench Wins Ford Fund Smart Mobility Challenge

“TOD” is designed as an adaptable system with static and mobile modes.  Static it is a bench that can be extended to accommodate three people. Accessories such as chairs and corners can easily by added using a plug-in style kit system, while a flat square can be connected to two benches to form a picnic table. Continue reading

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Toyota Research Inst. Claims Advances in Home Use Robotics

As TRI shows in a new video, this system allows robots to make generalizations in a range of scenarios, including in different homes. The somewhat humorous video (comments welcomed here by the non-androids of AutoInformed), released on National Selfie Day, shows these new capabilities on film, as the un-named robot is seen recording itself as it performs these new skills around a house. It is less cranky, humoours and personable than R2-D2, a tough act to follow for anyone competing in the Artoo-Detoo defined field. After all, it was developed by engineers, not Hollywood – Where is George Lucas when you need him? Continue reading

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Toyota Agile Space – Motorized Store or Mobility Company?

Toyota Motor North America R&D has selected digital brand Cuyana as its first tenant. About the only thing AutoInformed sees in common with its vehicle business is that leasing could be involved for customers. Continue reading

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Out of this World! Secret Lockheed Martin, GM EV Revealed

“This alliance brings together powerhouse innovation from both companies to make a transformative class of vehicles,” said Rick Ambrose, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Space. Continue reading

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JR East, Hitachi, Toyota to Develop Fuel Cell Railway Vehicles

The development of innovative rolling stock powered by hydrogen in theory will contribute to the development of a low-carbon society as it helps to curb global warming and diversify energy sources. Hydrogen ensures minimal environmental impact because it does not emit any carbon dioxide when used as an energy source. It can be produced from various raw materials using renewable energy. Continue reading

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It’s Come to This – Mazda Digital MotorSport

Whether this is a temporary or lasting Covid influence people all over the world can connect online and enjoy the same digital conditions regardless of country, region, language or generation. Continue reading

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Porsche Shows 3D-Printing for Racing Seats

Customers will be able to choose between three firmness levels (hard, medium, soft) for the comfort layer in the future. With this new technology, personalized sports seat follows the principles of driver-specific seat fitting customary in professional motor sports.  Continue reading

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First Look – Hyundai Prophecy EV Concept

In the styling babble “Prophecy follows suit with an iconic silhouette of perfect proportions that have been inspired by an aerodynamic design. Leveraging the extended wheelbase and shorter overhang, Hyundai’s designers have achieved the Ultimate Automotive Form, thanks to a new EV architecture defined by pristine surfaces and pure volume in combination with aesthetic harmony and functionality.” Continue reading

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Grand Touring? Bentley Mulliner Bacalar to Debut at Geneva

With a battery electric power train, intelligent power and charge management, optional autonomy and a carefully selection of exquisite materials, the EXP 100 GT is an “environmental showcase” for the luxury automotive brand. Continue reading

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Lithium Mustang Project at SEMA

The fact remains that electrification can be a boon to performance enthusiasts as witnessed by a so-called Phi-Power dual-core electric motor and dual power inverters – fueled by an 800-volt Webasto battery system that can discharge a mega-watt of electrical energy. At 800 volts, that’s twice the voltage of most electric cars on the road today. Continue reading

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