Category Archives: safety

Intel: $250 Million More Investments for Autonomous Driving

Posted on 15 November 2016 by Ken Zino

Brian Krzanich, Intel Corporation chief executive officer, today announced that Intel Capital is targeting more than $250 million of additional new investments over the next two years to make fully autonomous driving a reality. Continue reading →

Posted in autonomous vehicles, electronics | 1 Comment

Chinese Amap to Offer Free HD Maps to Automakers

Posted on 15 November 2016 by Ken Zino

Amap Software Co., a Chinese web mapping, navigation and location-based services provider says that it has made its HD map and data services free to automakers during the development and testing of autonomous cars. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Passat GT Concept at Automobility LA

Posted on 14 November 2016 by Ken Zino

Year-to date diesel emissions defeat-device Volkswagen sales are at 256,047 (-13.09%) with the Passat at 59,320 for a -17.4% drop. The German automaker is strapped for cash, hence the trim package on an aging design. Continue reading →

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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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Regulations Keep Motorcycle ABS Growing

Posted on 9 November 2016 by Ken Zino

The theory is that motorcycle ABS gives riders more confidence, allowing them to react faster and brake harder. ABS prevents the wheels from locking during emergency braking, so the bike remains stable, helping riders to stay upright. However, some studies on automobiles with ABS show that it allows driver’s to be more aggressive. Continue reading →

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Renault Group Links with Computer Vision Firm Chronocam

Posted on 9 November 2016 by Ken Zino

In the latest development on the rapidly moving road to autonomous vehicles, Renault now has an agreement with Chronocam SA, a developer of vision sensors and “computer vision solutions.” Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Dumps FIA World Rally Championship

Posted on 2 November 2016 by Ken Zino

Both FIA sanctioned racing series were ruinously expensive. Now VW is facing seemingly unending expenses in the dieselgate matter. More criminal charges are also under investigation. A proposed new customer racing program and the extension of existing ones will cut costs, and might even make money. Continue reading →

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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 →

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More Safety Recalls from BMW, Chrysler, Subaru, Toyota

Posted on 1 November 2016 by Ken Zino

BMW, Chrysler, Subaru and Toyota have issued safety recalls on more than 300,000 vehicles for fuel leaks, sudden stalling, fires, bad airbags, and defective parking brakes, according to documents made public by NHTSA. Continue reading →

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ExxonMobil Under Scrutiny for Its Climate Change Propaganda

Posted on 28 October 2016 by Ken Zino

In a disturbing development with broad First Amendment implications, ExxonMobil is lashing out against the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and others – in the words of UCS, “who feel they are holding them accountable for their decades of deception.” Continue reading →

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IBM and GM Debut a “Cognitive Mobility Platform”

Posted on 28 October 2016 by Ken Zino

Translation: more distracted driving enablers are coming. OnStar has more connected vehicles on the road than any other automaker. By the end of 2016, GM expects to have 12 million OnStar connected vehicles on the road worldwide. Continue reading →

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Three Ford Recalls in North America on +400,000 Vehicles

Posted on 26 October 2016 by Ken Zino

The Ford safety defects arise from simple design, mechanical and assembly problems. Continue reading →

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FCA Recalls Jeep Wrangler for Defective Airbags

Posted on 25 October 2016 by Ken Zino

Under certain crash conditions, rotation of the headlamp can cause the sensor wiring to separate from the front impact sensor. 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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