Category Archives: autonomous cars

AutoInformed Special Report: More Press Releases than Automated Vehicles as Makers Describe Intentions

Posted on 16 July 2018 by Ken Zino

Thus, appears a new auto biz acronym – automated, connected, and electric (ACE) automotive technologies that in laughable jargon “will enable new mobility paradigms, new companies, and new business and revenue models that have the potential to alter the way consumers interact with vehicles.” Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, autonomous cars, autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FCA Sells Minivans to Google’s Waymo for Driverless Use

Posted on 4 June 2018 by Ken Zino

Google’s self-driving wing Waymo – a clear threat to established automakers – will expand its fleet with an agreement to add up to 62,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans. Given Chrysler’s dubious safety record, it’s a risky proposition in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, autonomous cars, autonomous vehicles, electronics, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Protect the American Worker Trump – Says NLA

Posted on 24 November 2017 by Ken Zino

“As you are aware (debatable, if not refutable – editor), our country was founded on the principal that hard working Americans have a standard set of protections afforded to them by law, and that all reasonable efforts will be made to keep people employed who have a desire and ability to work… Continue reading →

Posted in autonomous cars, autonomous vehicles, economy, labor issues, transportation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Continental, Magna Drive Two Autonomous Cars to CAR Conference

Posted on 1 August 2017 by Ken Zino

The automated driving vehicles crossed into Windsor, Ontario before going north to Sarnia, Ontario and returning into Michigan. The first cross-border demonstration (hands free publicity stunt?) of its kind, allowed the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to test automated driving technology in a variety of settings. Continue reading →

Posted in autonomous cars, electronics, engineering, marketing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, road test, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DENSO to Invest $75.5 Million in Michigan and Ohio

Posted on 31 July 2017 by Ken Zino

“Expanding our team and resources now will help us make a future of autonomous cars and advanced electric vehicles possible,” said Kenichiro Ito, chairman of DENSO’s North America Board of Directors. Continue reading →

Posted in autonomous cars, economy, electronics, engineering, people | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Autonomous Vehicles to Cut Auto Insurance Biz 71% By 2050

Posted on 3 July 2017 by Ken Zino

Autonomous vehicle and related driver assist technologies could upset the auto insurance market by 71%, roughly $137 billion by 2050, according to the latest research by KMPG. Continue reading →

Posted in autonomous cars, financial results, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toyota Research Institute Autonomous Vehicle 2.0 Shown at Prius Challenge. This One is Engineered by Toyota

Posted on 3 March 2017 by Ken Zino

The autonomous vehicle systems are costly and computationally complex, centering deeply on machine vision and machine learning. Continue reading →

Posted in autonomous cars, autonomous vehicles, safety, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

DOT Wants Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication

Posted on 14 December 2016 by Ken Zino

NHTSA estimates that safety applications enabled by V2V and V2I (vehicle to infrastructure could eliminate or mitigate the severity of up to 80% of non-impaired crashes, including crashes at intersections or while changing lanes. Continue reading →

Posted in autonomous cars, safety, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toyota Mobility Services Via Car Sharing Firm Getaround

Posted on 1 November 2016 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor will establish a Mobility Services Platform (MSPF) to collaborate with various car sharing providers, as well as telematics insurance. Continue reading →

Posted in autonomous cars, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in autonomous cars, distracted driving, electronics, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Controversial Federal Guidelines for Autonomous Vehicles Out

Posted on 20 September 2016 by Ken Zino

The primary focus of the policy is on highly automated vehicles, or those in which the vehicle can take full control of driving in at least some circumstances. Portions of the policy also apply to lower levels of automation, including some of the driver-assistance systems already being deployed by automakers today. Continue reading →

Posted in autonomous cars | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ford, U-M Reach Deal to Embed FMC Engineers in Ann Arbor

Posted on 16 September 2016 by Ken Zino

U-M is one of only a handful of universities to offer master’s and doctoral degrees in robotics, with the Ph.D. program now in its third year. More than 35 faculty members work in the field. Continue reading →

Posted in autonomous cars, energy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Autonomous XC90 Built Today by Volvo

Posted on 9 September 2016 by Ken Zino

Volvo has assumed all financial and legal responsibility in what is, arguably, the most ambitious autonomous car testing program to date since it will use real people and not just engineers. Money-making introduction is planned around 2021. Continue reading →

Posted in autonomous cars, safety | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment