Driverless mini-cars UK
researchers are developing an autonomous model car. Driverless
full-size cars have already been developed, for instance in the DARPA
challenge. By using model cars the researchers hope to make developing
the technology far easier and cheaper.
Soya-based Car Seats Car
interior supplier Lear Corp. has developed a soybean-based flexible
foam material for car seat fabrics. The 'SoyFoam' is up to 24%
renewable compared to petroleum-based foam, which is infamous among car
manufacturers for its lack of recyclability
Hummer gives back Oxygen to Nature The
GM Hummer O2 is only a drawing submitted in the LA Design Challenge, it
is designed to turn harmful CO2 into oxygen. Algea-filled body panels
transform carbon dioxide into pure oxygen that is subsequently released
back into the environment.
Road Testing BMW's Hydrogen 7 Jules
Verne, in his 1874 novel The Mysterious Island, described hydrogen as
an "inexhaustible source of heat and light." 132 years later, Wired
News was invited to test-drive the BMW's new Hydrogen 7 with its
innovative hydrogen-combustion engine.
Are Airbags and ABS Safe? A
study by Purdue University concludes that ABS and airbags may encourage
aggressive driving. The research team that studied five years of car
accidents in Washington State also concludes the safety devices make
drivers less vigilant.
GM had Hybrid-system in 1968 In
an interview with carlist.com, GM's product boss Bob Lutz says GM
already had a hybrid system for buses back in 1968. He regrets his
company did not bring the hybrid technology to market sooner. GM will
offer an two-mode hybrid systems on trucks.
100% recycled Mercedes The
RECY concept is one of the entries at the LA Auto Show Design
Challenge. This breath-taking Mercedes-Benz is made out of 100%
recycled wood, alloys, glass and rubber. An elegant, environmentally
friendly alternative to the traditional roadster.
Filling your Car with Foam Security
experts at Fujitsu Ten have found a way to use expanding polystyrene
foam to stop thieves from taking your car or even escaping. When the
device detects movement, it releases a liquid chemical, the foam
expands and fills the car.
Hybrid Race Car to hit the Track A
hybrid race car will make its debut next year at the European rounds of
the World Touring Car Championships. The N.T07 has been developed from
the Formula Renault car, and is powered by a four-cylinder engine and
an electric motor.
Korean breakthrough in Hydrogen storage Korean
scientists have found a way of storing hydrogen as a solid at
relatively high temperature and low pressure, for instance in fuel cell
vehicles. The scientists have developed a material that can store and
emit hydrogen using little energy.
