Toyota Invests $500 Million into Uber

Posted on September 1, 2018 by editor

Toyota is investing $500m in Uber for self-driving car programme.

The aim of the partnership is to use technology from both companies to bring an on-demand autonomous ride-hailing service to market and the deal includes a $500 million investment from the Japanese automaker. Under the agreement, Toyota will manufacture Sienna minivans equipped with Uber’s self-driving technology, and then deployed on the ride-hailing company’s network, the companies said. A third company will operate the fleet. They have yet to identify the other partner, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the details are private. Continue reading →

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Jaguar to Sell an All-Electric E-Type

Posted on August 26, 2018 by editor

Jaguar will make an electric version of 1960s sports car, the E-Type, and it will be available to eco-conscious fans from 2020. Jaguar will also convert existing E-types into electric vehicles.

Last spring, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle drove away from their royal wedding in an all-electric Jaguar E-Type. However, it seems the E-Type is not just a concept or a vehicle available only to royalty. Jaguar has just announced it will make a series of all-electric Jaguar E-Type sports cars available for sale by summer of 2020.

The new E-Type Zero will look like the iconic 1960s sports car, with its long hood, curved roof and chrome bumpers, except that its engine and transmission will be replaced with a battery pack and an electric motor with I-Pace components. In addition, Zero comes with touchscreen navigation, LED headlights and other modern high-tech parts.

Jaguar fans who don’t have an E-type but want both EV components and the original engine can even ask to obtain an original vehicle and to have it converted instead of getting the Zero version only.

More details about the new electric E-type have not been released yet but Jaguar says it is planning to achieve a 170-mile range and a 40kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which can be fully recharged within six to seven hours.

The company didn’t talk about prices and obviously they could vary depending on what the buyer wants and will definitely be in the luxury vehicle range.

According to engadget.com.

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Boston Dynamics Plans to Build 1000 Robot Dogs by Mid-2019

Posted on August 1, 2018 by editor

The robot invasion is already underway. Boston Dynamics is planning to build an army of robot dogs.
The Massachusetts-based firm has announced it is preparing to produce 1,000 SpotMini robotic dogs per year.
By July 2019, the engineering and robotics design company wants to launch its canine-like bots.
The 2.75-foot-tall, four-legged machine inherited the mobility of its big brother Spot. SpotMini is the smallest variant of Boston Dynamics’ many different models of robot dogs. It weighs around 66 pounds and has 90 minutes of battery life. The robotics design company demonstrated all kinds of functionalities during TechCrunch’s TC Session Robotics event in May. Continue reading →

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Tokyo to Install Eco-Friendly Solar Roads for 2020 Olympics

Posted on July 6, 2018 by editor

The Tokyo metropolitan government is planning to build “solar roads” that collect energy from the sun via solar panels installed beneath the surface of the roads. The effort aims at promoting the Japanese capital as an eco-friendly city ahead of the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.

The new technologies are believed to be started on a trial basis at facilities owned by the Tokyo government next year. The solar road consists of a system of solar panels installed on the road, with the surface of the panels covered with a tough resin that will enhance durability. It is possible for vehicles to drive over the panels. Continue reading →

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GXV-T: а Radical New Self-Driving Troop Carrier Revealed by US Army

Posted on July 1, 2018 by editor

Advanced radical technology for combat vehicles has recently been demonstrated for the US DARPA’s Ground X-Vehicle Technologies program.

A series of demonstrations, such as the last one at Aberdeen Test Center held in May, has given potential military service transition partners an opportunity to observe technical progress on the GXV-T program.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Ground X-Vehicle Technology is a project that aims to develop technologies and designs to create lighter armored military vehicles.

GXV-T program focuses on enhancing mobility, survivability, safety, and effectiveness of future combat vehicles without piling on armor.

The new technologies will enable the vehicles to travel quickly over different terrain while enhancing situational awareness and ease of operation.

GXV-T combat vehicles of the future will be able to traverse up to 95 percent of off-road terrain, including slopes and various elevations. Capabilities include revolutionary wheel-to-track and suspension technologies that would enable access and fast travel both on- and off-road.

8 contracts to a group of defense contractors and research institutes were awarded by DARPA to develop the technology.

According to defense-update.com  and darpa.mil.com.

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California Testing Digital License Plates

Posted on June 3, 2018 by editor

You might soon be able to buy digital license plates, but these digital displays don’t come cheap.

California is testing new digital license plates on vehicles. Although it opens up new possibilities, it also raises new privacy concerns.

Five years ago, Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation authorizing digital license plates to be tested in his state. The displays are finally hitting the streets in California.

According to Fortune.

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Tesla Says Autopilot Feature Not Engaged in Brussels Car Crash

Posted on June 1, 2018 by editor

Tesla denied Autopilot is to blame for the crash in Brussels. The driver was in control without using Autopilot when the accident took place.

 A Model S crashed into parked cars in the Brussels borough of Saint-Gilles on Tuesday and the driver reportedly said he was outside the car, with the engine running.

However, Tesla Inc. denied reports made earlier this week that its Model S vehicle started up on its own and crashed into several cars this week while in Autopilot mode, as the driver in the incident was operating his car himself. Continue reading →

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Tesla Bursts into Flames after Fatal Crash in Switzerland

Posted on May 16, 2018 by editor

Swiss firefighters have indicated the impact of a fatal crash involving a Tesla car may have set off a fire in the vehicle’s battery, causing the vehicle to go up in flames.

A 48-year-German driver died when on Thursday his car hit a barrier on a motorway in the southern Swiss canton of Ticino, turned over and burst into flames.

The car burst into flames and was attended to by Bellinzona firefighters, who say the blaze may have been caused by the Tesla battery.

The crash is one of several accidents to affect Tesla vehicles in recent days, and one of several crashes in recent years involving fires.

According to The Reuters.

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Waymo Releases Video from Autonomous Car Just Before Crash

Posted on May 6, 2018 by editor

Waymo has released a video of the moments before the crash.

Another self-driving car has been involved in a crash and it is the second incident in less than two months.

The accident happened in Chandler at Chandler Boulevard and Los Feliz Drive, east of McClintock Drive. On Friday night, Waymo released a video of the moments leading up to the crash. The video is taken from front-facing camera sensors mounted in the car.
According to Chandler Police, the incident took place Continue reading →

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Buick’s Stunning Semi-Autonomous Electric Concept Boasts Massive Range

Posted on May 1, 2018 by editor

Buick Enspire 2018 SUV uses Cadillac’s Super Cruise system.

Buick pulled the wraps off its new Enspire 2018 concept SUV. The electric concept car made its debut at Auto China in Beijing. It has semi-autonomous features, enviable range and is quicker than ever.

Buick shared the first images of its new SUV concept just ahead of the auto show. First of all, the concept is incredibly good looking and full of advanced technology promises. Sleek design and smooth uninterrupted curves are giving the SUV elegance and also meant to improve its aerodynamic performance. Continue reading →

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