Category Archives: electronics

Honda Has Sophisticated Language Analysis Technologies

Posted on 10 November 2016 by Ken Zino

Successful development of language software that doesn’t require precisely phrased commands has enormous potential in vehicles and other applications – think Siri squared or Asimo to the third power. Continue reading →

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Planet M Buys Space at 2017 NAIAS

Posted on 9 November 2016 by Ken Zino

Planet M was launched in June 2016 as a collaborative branding effort to promote Michigan as the “epicenter of mobility.” The messaging pushes Michigan’s leadership in talent development, auto R&D and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) testing. Continue reading →

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Toyota Moves on Connected Cars, R&D JVs, Takeovers

Posted on 18 October 2016 by Ken Zino

The latest developments come as Toyota is once again battling what is now a beleaguered, wounded Volkswagen Group for the world’s biggest car company title. The moves reflect a growing problem at all automobile companies. How do you pay for the cost of moving forward in a world with increasingly stringent safety and emissions regulations, web enabled cars, as well as the entire future of automobility and autonomous vehicles? Continue reading →

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Porsche Opens Digital Lab to Explore IT Innovations

Posted on 26 August 2016 by Ken Zino

Car companies increasingly look like technology companies as the opening Porsche Digital Lab in Berlin shows. The Stuttgart-based automaker says it will be used to identify and test information technology solutions, in IT babble. Continue reading →

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Execs from Uber, Intel Speaking at SAE Convergence

Posted on 17 August 2016 by Ken Zino

SAE today announced that executives from Uber and Intel Corporation will provide their thoughts on the future of technology, and how personal mobility, the Internet of Things (IoT), and autonomous driving are “converging.” Continue reading →

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Honda, Daido Steel Neodymium Magnet Has No Rare Earth Materials

Posted on 1 August 2016 by Ken Zino

The problem with the currently used version of the neodymium magnet is that China is by far the largest producer of rare earth elements, universally used in electric motors in EVs and hybrids. However, China is thought to be a politically unstable, unreliable supplier. This is certainly with regards to Japan, which has ongoing disputes with the Communist nation that is now also part of the U.S. presidential debate. Continue reading →

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Osram Buys Novità Technologies for its Auto LED Modules

Posted on 25 July 2016 by Ken Zino

Osram will acquire Novità Technologies, a U.S. manufacturer of automotive LED modules which are used in tail lights, fog lights and daytime running lights. Continue reading →

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HAL Comes to Honda R&D through Softbank

Posted on 22 July 2016 by Ken Zino

This will, allegedly, allow Honda and SoftBank to “enable mobility products to use conversations with the driver,” together with other information obtained from sensors and cameras to “perceive the emotions of the driver and to engage in dialogue with the driver based on the vehicle’s own emotions.” Continue reading →

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Google to Use Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids for Autonomous Driving Tests

Posted on 4 May 2016 by Ken Zino

This is the first time that Google has worked directly with an automaker to integrate its autonomous driving system, including its sensors and software, into a passenger vehicle. Continue reading →

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Autonomous Drive Cars – Makers Targeting Wrong Groups?

Posted on 28 April 2016 by Ken Zino

Young consumers are much more trusting in automotive technology, paving the way for autonomous drive vehicles, according to the J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Tech Choice Study released today at the Automotive Press Association in Detroit. Continue reading →

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BMW Laptimer to Add More GoPro Camera Functions

Posted on 26 April 2016 by Ken Zino

“This allows us to provide BMW drivers the ability to safely capture and share their track experience,” said Christian Schmid, senior development engineer at the BMW Group Technology Office USA. Continue reading →

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DOJ: Cybersecurity, Hacking Urgent Issues for Automakers

Posted on 12 April 2016 by Ken Zino

Electronic innovations that revolutionize new vehicles create hacking vulnerabilities if not carefully deployed. Continue reading →

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Does Less CO2 = 3-Cylinder Engines?

Posted on 12 April 2016 by Ken Zino

As the quest to lower CO2 emissions continues two engineering approaches are emerging – down size engines and run them at lower speeds. This typically results in higher stress in the engine/powertrain. Engineers are looking closely at fundamental changes in combustion and parasitic losses, while monitoring material and component stress. Continue reading →

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OnStar Commercial Link – Vehicle Tracking and Management

Posted on 31 March 2016 by Ken Zino

Commercial Link can be customized around the needs of each user, allowing for personalization of account dashboards and the ability to set up text or email alerts around sensitive items, such as if a driver is low on fuel or requires vehicle maintenance. Continue reading →

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Toyota Expands Autonomous Vehicle Program with Jaybridge Robotics Software People for Crash-Free Driving

Posted on 14 March 2016 by Ken Zino

First announced in November 2015, TRI is a research and development enterprise designed eliminate the chasm between fundamental research and product development, particularly to address the 1.25 million traffic fatalities each year, worldwide. Continue reading →

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