Category Archives: engineering

Mercedes Bends, Pulling E-Class Self-Driving Car Ads

Mercedes-Benz is pulling an advertisement for its 2017 E-Class vehicles called “The Future,” which touts automated features available in the 2017 E-Class as the next step toward a self-driving car. Continue reading

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Osram Buys Novità Technologies for its Auto LED Modules

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

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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Mercedes-Benz, Toyota Execs to Start CAR MBS

Presidents from Mercedes-Benz U.S. and Toyota Motor Manufacturing will discuss their companies’ investments and strategies for bringing luxury vehicle production into U.S. manufacturing facilities, during the opening World Class Manufacturing session at CAR MBS on August 1.

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Toyota Claims Lead in Patents

Toyota is the only automaker listed among the top 20 on the IPO list. Other key innovators in the top 20 include Apple, Google, IBM and Microsoft. Continue reading

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Google to Use Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids for Autonomous Driving Tests

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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Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Most Fuel-Efficient SUV CR Tested

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid at 31 mpg combined in Consumer Reports testing has the best overall fuel economy of any SUV that doesn’t plug in, CR said today. It returned 26 mpg city and 36 mpg highway – better than most mid-size sedans. Continue reading

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Autonomous Drive Cars – Makers Targeting Wrong Groups?

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

“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

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?

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

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

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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New Semi-Autonomous E-Class Premiers at NAIAS

What E-Class does to the art of driving and distinctive vehicle character is subject to debate. Will driving fun still exist? Continue reading

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Chevrolet Bolt Debuts into a Moribund EV Market

The Bolt EV is said to have more than 200 miles of range on a full charge at a price below $30,000 after Federal tax credits. Continue reading

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