(Photo by Sherry Tesler for The New York Times: FORWARD LOOKING Dave Evans with Cisco's drag-and-drop dashboard)
New York,NY,USA -The New York Times, by JOHN R. QUAIN -January 28, 2011:-- Computers, smartphones can be upgraded w/ new software, apps, peripherals... So engineers are thinking of ways to design vehicles that can be upgraded. Looking at everything electronic, including navigation, brake systems, entertainment... Advances moving so fast that even Internet-based upgrades could be obsolete soon... Question is who will manage upgrades as vehicle becomes part of network. Automakers taking different paths, using 3rd parties or developing technology in house...Experts say upgrading via telematics would save owners trips to dealer. Could reprogram transmission settings or recalibrate brake system... New functions could be added like vehicle-to-vehicle collision warnings...
(Video from CNBC: Covering the auto industry I've seen some amazing technology over the years, but the latest crash avoidance system I tested in Detroit last week ranks among the most fascinating)
Detroit,MICH,USA -CNBC, by Phil LeBeau -25 Jan 2011:-- Using technology developed over the last nine years by a dozen major automakers working in conjunction with the federal government, Intellidrive basically revolves around cars "talking" to each other... Cars using GPS receivers and WiFi signals are constantly sending out data about their location and speed. As those signals bounce off other cars on the road or traffic signals at intersections, your car warns you when you are about to crash... The scenarios where Intellidrive works to keep you from crashing are varied... When I tested it, I was at a blind intersection and couldn't see a car approaching at roughly 35 miles per hour... Just as I was about to turn into the path of the oncoming car, Intellidrive warned me to slam on the brakes. Within a split second the system saved me from being sideswiped... Make no mistake, the "talking" car is coming. It will like be 6-7 years before Intellidrive is standard on all new cars, but it's coming...
* USA - Billionaire Venture Capitalist Vinod Khosla’s Energy Bets Inch Forward
)Photo: Vinod Khosla)
Menlo Park, California, USA -Forbes, by KERRY A. DOLAN -Jan. 25 2011: -- Superstar venture capitalist Vinod Khosla has spent the past six years or so investing in a broad array of clean energy-related companies and technologies.He readily admits that many are science experiments with a high probability of failure. But he may be getting closer to success with a few of them... Khosla recently told an audience in San Jose, Calif. that portfolio investment EcoMotors, a company that builds automotive engines that are up to 50% more efficient than current models, in early January signed up one of the larger truck makers in the world to adopt EcoMotors’ technology.Khosla didn’t specify which truck maker it was...
* USA - Chrysler announces development of hydraulic hybrid technology for cars
Deaborn,MICH,USA -Gizmag, by Mike Hanlon -January 26, 2011: -- Chrysler caught everyone off guard this week when it announced a partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to design and develop an experimental hydraulic hybrid powertrain suitable for use in large passenger cars and light-duty vehicles. The announcement was made at the EPA laboratories in Ann Arbor, Mich., following a meeting with Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler Group CEO, and Lisa P. Jackson, Agency Administratorfor the EPA... The hydraulic hybrid system, developed by the EPA's lab in Ann Arbor, is well known and currently used in industrial applications, including large delivery trucks and refuse trucks across the country. The technology has shown substantial increases in fuel economy when compared with traditional powertrains in the same type of vehicles. Working together, both parties hope to reduce the size and complexity of the hybrid system and produce a technology that is sensitive to the needs of drivers for smooth and quiet operation... (Images: Chrysler hydraulic hybrid)
IBM Research Lab will build a public information management center for Rio de Janeiro
Rio Janeiro,RJ,Brazil -TMCnet, by Madhubanti Rudra -January 3, 2011: -- In a bid to turn Rio de Janeiro into a smarter city, the city administration teamed up with IBM... IBM Research Lab, the computer giant’s research wing, recently signed an agreement to build a public information management center for Rio de Janeiro... Located inCidade Nova, the Rio Operations Center will integrate and interconnect information from multiple government departments and public agencies in the municipality to improve city safety and responsiveness to various types of incidents, such as flash floods and landslides... The agreement also requires IBM to develop a high-resolution weather forecasting and hydrological modeling system (PMAR)for Rio de Janeiro.The PMARwill be helpful in predicting heavy rains up to 48 hours in advance...The Rio de Janeiro operation center is a major project for IBM's ninth Research Lab -- recently opened in Brazil... The Rio Operations Centeropened on Dec. 31, 2010. The center is designed to consolidate data from various urban systems for real-time visualization, monitoring and analysis... The researchers at IBM lab explained that the responsibilities of the center go beyond forecasting floods and related emergencies...The Centerwill enable city leaders to make decisions in emergency situations based on real-time information... (Photo from t3.gstatic: The center of Rio de Janeiro can't manage great traffic jams)
Wallingford,Oxfordshire,UK -Transport Engineer, by Brian Tinham -4 Dec 2011: -- An on-board hydrogen generator, launched by h2gogo for retrofitting to petrol or diesel engined transit vans, trucks and buses, is being trialled by Grundon Waste Management...The company, which has fitted the hydrogen generators to three of its waste and recycling trucks says it is looking to the technology to reduce emissions, increase engine efficiency and power output, and improve on fuel economy...h2gogo's HRN3 unitruns on distilled water, which produces hydrogen on throttle/engine demand, eliminating the need for additional fuel storage tanks, other than a small distilled water tank...The company explains that it works by injecting hydrogen into the engine's air induction tract, at the air filter end, which then follows the standard route to the engine, via intercooler and turbo...This cycle results in the engine burning all fuel in the cylinder and cylinder head combustion chamber... Tests atthe Millbrook Vehicle Emissions Laboratory suggests that the hydrogen generator cuts CO, HC, PM (particulate matter), NOx and CO2 emissions by up to a 40%... Additional trials are also due to commence shortly at: Heathrow Airport with BAA; bus and coach manufacturer Alexander Dennis, and the Metropolitan Police Service in London...
* Australia - A.N.T. Aid Necessities Transporter concept vehicle
(Image: Loading and unloading the supply unit would be an easy and efficient procedure due to the unique suspension. Whilst in Rapid mode, the vehicle simply lines itself in front of the supply unit. From here, the vehicle would lower itself whist rotating the head piece. Guided by electronics, the vehicle could then reverse into the supply unit. Once connected, the vehicle simply lifts up and drives off)
Melbourne,Australia -Gizmag, by Grant Banks -January 4, 2011: -- A multi-purpose vehicle designed by Bryan Lee, capable of delivering emergency housing and supplies to disaster areas then rapidly returning to base ready for another mission – that is the concept behind the Aid Necessities Transporter (A.N.T.).The idea takes inspiration from it's namesake in the insect world – creating more than just a unique concept vehicle but an entirely new aid distribution system. The A.N.T has been designed to traverse rough terrain that would be impossible for conventional trucks to navigate, delivering supply pods and temporary shelter to disaster stricken communities...
(Image: The ability to transform the supply unit into a temporary housing is another efficient way in aiding people in need) The vehicle then transforms itself into a low-profile form for a swift return to headquarters...
* Denmark -Anti Sleep Pilot detects drowsy drivers
(Photo: The Anti Sleep Pilot is a dashboard device that lets drivers know when they're becoming too fatigued)
Copenhagen,Denmark -Gizmag, by Ben Coxworth -January 3, 2011:-- According to a 2008 study by the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, about 20 percent of all road traffic accidents are caused by driver fatigue. Tired motorists are also eight times more likely than rested motorists to get in an accident, displaying driving abilities similar to those of someone who is intoxicated. The problem is, we often don’t know when we’ve reached that “too tired” state – a situation that the Anti Sleep Pilot was created to address. The Danish-designed device sits on your dashboard, monitoring you and your driving conditions, and lets you know when it’s time to pull over and take a ten-minute rest.
... Unlike systems developed by Fraunhofer and Lexus, it does not use cameras to monitor the driver’s eyes.... The Anti Sleep Pilotis so far only available in Denmark, although interested parties can pre-order on the company website. Its price should be around US$250...
All across America independent truckers are struggling with higher fuel costs and are looking for alternatives, any solution which can help gain even the slightest edge
Atlanta,USA -Linkedin, by Bruce Swartz (Digital Marketing Consultant at B&C Enterprise & Grow Online Now)-30 Nov 2010:... WorldNCI.comis worth looking into with FASTechnology, who have been tested and build for small independents.FASTechnology, it's an affordable and cost effective solution which not only increases economy, but power as well as totally eliminating fumes from entering the cabin should this be an issue...
Better gas mileage, super fuel saver, car fuel saver, diesel fuel saver, fuel saver kit, amazing fuel savings, diesel fuel saving device, reduce NOX emissions, fuel increase mileage, and CARBON CREDITSwithFASTechnology... Close the Crankcase, capturing 100% of blow-by emissions (10-30% unburned organic material) separating out the contaminants and re-routing that unburned fuel back into the engine... FASTechnology - Certified Test Results from Accredited Laboratories worldnci.com: Increase Fuel Economy,Auburn University PAVE Research Institute: "When all data points were used, computed fuel savings increased to 4.1 percent" ... Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines, & Emissions, WVU: "After installation of the CEAS, an additional six runs were performed on the same route, and the average fuel economy measured after installation was 4% higher by weight and 2.7% higher by ECU than for the run before installation." ... Reduce Emissions by 10% in the Cummins N-14 engine that had less than 1,000 hours of operation...
* COMMENT
Myrtle Beach,SC,USA -Linkedin, by Rolf Lengner (Owner at Express Route Transportation, L.L.C.) -1 Dec 2010: • My biggest question concerning the hydrogen technologies presented originally is; how does an operator know or verify that an optimal amount of hydrogen is being produced, taking into account all the variables involved."This" issue, besides the sometimes ridiculous prices, is what is holding this technology back. My next question would be, what are your prices. Both systems are viable to talk about. Then what and how are your systems built. Then, how are yours systems testing as far as the particulates being allowed to escape. Again, I think this is a critical question when trying to compare brochures to govt guidance.
The SARTRE project aims to automate slipstreaming of multiple vehicles on the highway
(Image: The system being tested in a road train simulator)
Brussels,Belgium -Jalopnik, by Darren Quick -December 13, 2010:--The European SARTRE (Safe Road Trains for the Environment) project, which is developing technology to automate slipstreaming of multiple vehicles on highways, is now a year into its three-year program. The first year has been spent ironing out the concept and investigating the requirements of a prototype system, as well as how people will react to using it. Now the program is set to enter the implementation phase, starting with the testing of a single lead and following vehicle...The benefits of slipstreaming or drafting in reducing fuel consumption (and therefore CO2 emissions) are well known and the technique is already widely used in bike and car racing.The team says exploiting the resultant lower air drag would allow vehicles to achieve energy savings in the region of 20 percent.But that’s only one of the benefits that the project hopes to bring to drivers...Additionally, as shown in a short documentary film produced by SARTRE (below), the technology has been tested in a road train simulator. One of the goals of the simulator tests has been to see how people react to tailgating a car traveling at speeds of 90 km/h (56 mph) without actually controlling the car. While some people were found to completely trust the system, others are understandably a little more wary...
(Video from YouTube, by spkoncernen -24 Nov 2010:The EU SARTRE project -- which aims to develop, test and validate technology for vehicles that can drive themselves in long road trains on motorways -- has released a documentary film describing the first year's work of this multi-partner research initiative)
The SARTRE project aims to carry out the first single lead and single following vehicle tests before the end of December, 2010, with the goal of demonstrating a five-vehicle road train that can handle interactions with other road users to be carried out in 2011 and early 2012. However, the team admits that, even if all the technology required for the system is validated, it will probably take ten years or more before such rolling road trains become a reality on our highways...
Mobile system provides CVE inspectors with instant roadside inspection capabilities optimized for safety pre-screening
Edmonton,Canada -Intelligent Imaging Systems Inc. (PR) -6 Dec 2010: --The Patrol Vehicle Mounted Thermal Inspection System (PVMTIS)is the first of its kind available to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) market.The PVMTISis designed and engineered exclusively to meet the requirements of CVE operations... The ruggedized mobile system provides CVE inspectors with instant roadside inspection capabilities optimized for safety pre-screening.In addition to providing an economic alternative to full-sized inspection systems,the PVMTISalso offers the versatility of being redeployed for night-time driver safety or for search and surveillance operations...
- Thermal inspection systems: Designed with the roadside in mind. No other organization in the world has deployed more Thermal Inspection Systems for highway safety than IIS. We have an expertise and track record that you can trust to deliver the most effective inspection systems available in the marketplace.
- Infrared Inspection System (IRIS): Employs a military class thermal imager with industry leading functionality and sensitivity so that officers can quickly and accurately identify specific equipment malfunctions on passing vehicles in multiple deployment formats. IRIS components are certified from -30 C (-22 F) to 170 C (338 F) and stressed to withstand 2G constant vibrations and 5G impact force. Advanced software interfaces and communication systems support coordinated enforcement efforts and remote deployment operations.
Multi-State I-95 Corridor Coalition Steers Travelers on the 50-Year-Old Highway Into the Future
(Image from i95highway: interstate 95 map) Rockville,MD,USA -I95 Corredor Coalition -October 28, 2010: ...Today, the Coalitionannounced its ground-breaking “Vehicle Probe Project”1 now provides real-time traffic speeds and travel time information for more than 5,000 miles of roads alongthe I-95 corridor.In announcing the expansion, the Coalition outlined how the 2-year-old project, through a more cost-effective approach, has improved operations, managed emergency response, and delivered new and improved traveler information services... The project is focused on creating the nation’s first seamless traffic information and monitoring system to use “crowd-sourced” traffic information for achieving a more complete view of travel times and speeds on freeways and arterials along the eastern seaboard.Key results to date include:
* Better Traffic Monitoring at a Fraction of the Cost...
* Faster Emergency Response...
* New and Improved Traveler Information Services including:
- Online:i95travelinfo.net provides valuable information to help people better plan their trips with traffic information and travel times for destinations in 15 states covering 24 metropolitan areas including I-95, the beltways surrounding each major city, and all associated routes that together make up the corridor.
- On the road: The Maryland State Highway Administration is now posting travel times on 22 dynamic message signs in the Baltimore/Washington area during peak periods using Project data.
- On the phone:North Carolina DOT has created a statewide “virtual dynamic message sign” feature on its 511 telephone service that allows callers to get estimated travel times to major interchanges.
