Category Archives: engineering

BMW to Show ‘Vision Car’ at Consumer Electronics Show

Posted on 29 December 2015 by Ken Zino

The AirTouch menu – it’s claimed – reduces the number of steps needed to make a selection. This might cut down on the deadly drive distraction epidemic. More likely this is a precursor to offer additional control options when the vehicle is traveling in highly automated mode. Continue reading →

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Ford Touts Patent Application Numbers

Posted on 22 December 2015 by Ken Zino

Patent applications do not necessarily mean that innovation is coming, though. And even innovations can fail in the marketplace, say the My Ford Touch disaster or Th!nk (sic). Competitive actions and first movers – er, ‘think’ Toyota hybrid and fuel cell technologies – can mean that new ideas mean only the same market share and profitability. Moreover, innovation is expensive, sapping profitability at already low-margin automakers. Continue reading →

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New IBM Cloud Service for Automakers Debuts at IAA

Posted on 16 September 2015 by Ken Zino

By 2020, it is estimated that 90% of new cars will be equipped with extensive connectivity services. Automakers are increasingly using so-called IoT solutions (Internet of Things – more industry gibberish) that help to, allegedly, to deliver data generated from cars directly to the cloud for near real-time analysis. Continue reading →

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Ford Doubles Down on Micromill Aluminum with Alcoa

Posted on 14 September 2015 by Ken Zino

General Motors has decided to short cycle its recently revised Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks in response to Ford’s success with alternate materials and pending fuel economy regulations. Continue reading →

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Ten Carmakers to fit AEB – Auto Emergency Braking – on New Vehicles as Standard Equipment

Posted on 11 September 2015 by Ken Zino

FCA, aka, Chrysler, which has more than its share of problems with DOT over safety matters, is notably for its absence. FCA as well as other automakers will face increasing pressure to add AEB as more systems are added at competitors. Continue reading →

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GM Celebrates Old Tech Center as Volkswagen Builds New One

Posted on 6 August 2015 by Ken Zino

In a way, this is symbolic of the geographic and philosophical shifts in the automobile business that now sees VW Group in contention with Toyota and GM as the world’s largest automaker. Another irony is that when the GM Tech Center was established in 1956, it was a vertically integrated company with clear market dominance, which it no longer is. Continue reading →

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Auto Sales Growth Rates to Slow

Posted on 4 August 2015 by Ken Zino

Advances in technology, tougher legislation, shorter product cycles and increased launches will create a challenging, yet opportunistic environment in the years ahead for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and suppliers, according to IHS Automotive. Continue reading →

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Hella Adding “Exit Alert” to its Radar Sensors

Posted on 29 June 2015 by Ken Zino

Exit Alert, said to ensure the safety of all road users, builds on already widely produced aids, including blind spot detection, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert and rear pre-crash braking and safety belt tightening. Continue reading →

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Driverless Vehicle Technology – Not All Good?

Posted on 22 April 2015 by Ken Zino

California SB 1298, which directed the DMV to write rules covering driverless vehicles, required the department to have regulations for the public use of the robot vehicles in place by Jan. 1, 2015. DMV – dealing with complicated new technologies – missed that deadline and is still working on driverless car public use regulations. Continue reading →

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Social Media Overkill? Honda HR-V to add Ten Selfie Cameras

Posted on 31 March 2015 by Ken Zino

Honda claims this is an important segment to address because one-third of all photos taken by people aged 18–24 are selfies, with more than one million selfies taken each day. Continue reading →

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Delphi Record Try for Longest US Autonomous Drive

Posted on 16 March 2015 by Ken Zino

In an old-fashioned publicity stunt that includes some real prototype engineering, Delphi Automotive try to set a record by conducting the longest autonomous drive ever attempted in the U.S. Continue reading →

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Jet Wiper on Volvo XC90 Safer, More Efficient

Posted on 16 March 2015 by Ken Zino

Electronics, combined with spray nozzles integrated in the wiper arm are the reasons. Continue reading →

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Test World Opens Second Indoor Snow and Ice Test Track

Posted on 18 February 2015 by Ken Zino

Test World Indoor allows testing in a controlled environment, which brings cost savings for auto, supplier and tire companies, even as it adds another coffin nail to the slumping spy photo business. Continue reading →

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Tiny Talking Robot Kirobo Returns from Space

Posted on 12 February 2015 by Ken Zino

After 18 months on board the International Space Station, humanoid communication robot Kirobo returned to Earth as a passenger on SpaceX’s CRS-5 Dragon cargo supply spacecraft, which successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean earlier today. Continue reading →

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Porsche Buys Climatic Wind Tunnel From Modine

Posted on 5 November 2014 by Ken Zino

Modine Europe in 2004 built the wind tunnel in Filderstadt-Bonlanden, which is near Weissach. Porsche claims it still has up-to-date equipment and is suitable for both sports cars and the increasing variety of sport utility vehicles and sedans that Porsche is now selling in record numbers. Porsche will keep on two wind tunnel experts who have been working at the facility to date. Continue reading →

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