Category Archives: engineering

Aston Martin Valkyrie: Formula One Drivers Get First Laps

Posted on 19 February 2020 by Ken Zino

Each verification prototype – there will be eight built – is exposed to a variety of tests to develop and validate specific attributes that contribute to achieving the performance of what Aston boasts will be the world’s fastest ever road-going hypercar, with a price to match. Continue reading →

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Ford Rear Toe-Links Fracture from Driving

Posted on 12 February 2020 by Ken Zino

Ford said it is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition for the specified vehicles. This potentially deadly safety defect affects 211,207 vehicles in the U.S. and federal territories, 15,281 in Canada and 1,396 in Mexico. It appears to be related to a larger Ford Explorer toe-link recall. Continue reading →

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Data Retrieval Via a Universal Onboard Diagnostic Adapter

Posted on 12 February 2020 by Ken Zino

Carly’s Universal Adapter is available to purchase for $79.90. The annual subscription ranges from free to $64, depending on the car brand and feature you’d like to use, and offers unlimited access to all features and updates supported by your car. The Carly app is available on both the Apple and Google Play stores. Continue reading →

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Silverado, Sierra Software Recalled for Botched Older Recall

Posted on 10 February 2020 by Ken Zino

This pre-launch EBCM software contains a potentially deadly error. If the pickup is started remotely using the OnStar mobile app or the driver enters the vehicle and waits five or more minutes before starting the vehicle using the ignition, this software error can disable the vehicle’s electronic brake assist and illuminate the ESC, ABS and BRAKE warning lights. Continue reading →

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Automakers Slow to Make Vehicles Safer?

Posted on 12 December 2019 by Ken Zino

However, it still takes decades for improvements to influence the entire fleet of registered vehicles. Drivers don’t abandon older vehicles when automakers make safer ones. Continue reading →

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OmniVision Claims Only Auto Sensors with HDR to 140dB

Posted on 9 December 2019 by Ken Zino

If the driving environment has very dark and very bright areas, e.g., exiting a tunnel with the sun low on the horizon,  high-performance HDR sensors are needed. In addition, LEDs are becoming omnipresent on the road, including illumination, traffic lights, road signs and bus displays. Continue reading →

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McLaren Wants Tailors and Dressmakers to Build Cars

Posted on 15 November 2019 by Ken Zino

As all automakers argue, composite materials, together with future powertrain technology, will save vehicle weight, boost performance and provide more energy-efficient vehicles. McLaren has been a pioneer with ultra-lightweight, ultra-strong carbon fiber material for decades and builds every car with a carbon fiber chassis, or ‘tub’, at its core. Continue reading →

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Hyundai Motor Group Refines Active Noise Control

Posted on 12 November 2019 by Ken Zino

Cabin quietness becomes more important as internal combustion vehicles are phased out. Continue reading →

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Autonomous Driving – Aptiv and Hyundai $4 Billion JV

Posted on 25 September 2019 by Ken Zino

Hyundai Motor Group affiliates — Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors and Hyundai Mobis — will collectively contribute $1.6 billion in cash at closing and $ 0.4 billion in vehicle engineering services, R&D resources, and access to intellectual property. Continue reading →

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Google Voice Assistant, Navigation and App to Debut at GM

Posted on 6 September 2019 by Ken Zino

GM said its research shows that many customers prefer an embedded technology in the vehicle, and increasingly expect seamless integration between the tech in their hands and the tech in their vehicle. Continue reading →

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Massive VW Keyless Recall on 36 Product lines, 679,027 Cars

Posted on 26 August 2019 by Ken Zino

Affected are 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. Volkswagen has been aware of the problem since July of 2018, but was silent about the number of complaints, accidents, injuries or fatalities. Continue reading →

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Honda Database Leaks 134M Rows of Employee Data

Posted on 19 August 2019 by Ken Zino

The information available in the database appeared to be something like an inventory of all Honda internal machines. This included information such as machine host name, MAC address, internal IP, operating system version, which patches had been applied, and the status of Honda’s endpoint security software. Continue reading →

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Toyota Recalls New Camry Models for Bad Airbags

Posted on 19 August 2019 by Ken Zino

Dealers have been instructed to comply with the law and stop selling affected cars in inventory.* Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz Joins the Driver Assist Software Recall Parade

Posted on 6 August 2019 by Ken Zino

In the latest giant pothole on the road to autonomous vehicles, the defective Active Brake Assist may not automatically apply partial or full braking as expected. This – you don’t need a computer to calculate it – increases the risk of a crash particularly if the driver is texting, sexting or otherwise not paying attention. Continue reading →

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Porsche and Volkswagen Recall Unsafe Airbags

Posted on 29 July 2019 by Ken Zino

Affected are 2016-2017 Porsche 911 and Boxster, 2016 Cayman and Panamera, as well as 2015-2016 VW Tiguan and CC vehicles. Continue reading →

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