“Robo Taxis”: Self-Driving Cars From Google

“Robo Taxis”: Self-Driving Cars From Google 

Google Inc., which has been working on software to help major automakers build self-driving cars, has logged 300,000 miles on the road without a single accident and has even persuaded California to legalize the self-driving car. Now, Jessica Lessin is reporting that the Internet giant may market its self-driving car as a “Robo Taxi,” instead of selling the cars directly to consumers.

The former WSJ staffer has learned that Google could launch a fleet of automated taxis that would pick up passengers by request, hopefully cutting down on accidents as well as the need for people to own their own cars. Lessin also reports that the company could roll out its “Robo Taxi” similar to the way it launched Google Fiber, targeting smaller, underserved regions initially.

“Robo Taxis”: Self-Driving Cars From Google 

According to people familiar with Google’s negotiations, the company approached some of the big car brands to discuss potentially commercializing the autonomous driving technology it has been working on for some years. However, the response was supposedly underwhelming, with no deal forthcoming.

Undeterred, Google is exploring ways it could go it alone in self-driving car technology, so the insiders claim. So far, the company is said to have talked to companies such as Continental AG and Magna International – who supply many of the components the big brands use in their ranges – about the possibility of producing a car of Google’s own design.

Building a full car – and handling the regulatory minefield that comes with that – is a significantly more involved challenge than making a phone, tablet, or laptop, however, and it’s unclear how much of the project Google actually wants to take on itself. Let's see how google will succeed in its project.

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GM To Include Smartphones Wireless Charging In 2014 Cars

GM To Include Smartphones Wireless Charging In 2014 Cars

General Motors Co. (GM), the largest U.S. automaker, will start offering wireless charging for smartphones in some vehicles next year, said Ran Poliakine, chief executive officer of Powermat Technologies Ltd.

Charging your smartphone in your car can be annoying, to say the least. Wires are in your way, getting wrapped around your car’s shifter and anything else within reach.

Wireless charging technology allows users to simply set the phone down in a certain area of the vehicle console or dash to recharge without having to deal with wires or adapters. The wireless charging solutions use a coil that receives electricity from a magnetic field when placed on the Powermat-enabled surface. However, one catch to adding wireless charging inside vehicles is that the phones require special cases in order to charge.

However, plenty of smartphones and tablets, ranging from the new Nexus 7 to the LG Optimus G Pro and Galaxy S4 (with a special battery cover) use Qi wireless charging, which was developed by the Wireless Power Consortium. A4WP, the Alliance for Wireless Power, is another competing standard that is trying to offer similar technologies to auto-makers.

The one roadblock to the problem, is that users’ smartphones will have to have their own built-in wireless charging technology. The vast majority of smartphones on the market do not include such a feature, so users will likely have to opt for a wireless charging case if they want to use the charging pads.

GM isn’t the first automaker to offer wireless charging technology in its cars. Toyota is already selling a similar feature in its 2013 Avalon, while Dodge made it available in the 2013 Dart. As more handset makers begin including wireless charging technology with their devices, you can expect to see the number of vehicles with installed charging pads to increase exponentially.

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Korean Foldable Electric Car

Korean Foldable Electric Car

A folding electric vehicle prototype has been revealed by the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). The car is designed to fold itself in order to save parking space. This electric car is quite possibly one of the first of its type to be introduced to South Korea. You may have heard of a similar concept in the form of the Hiriko by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) , which was presented in Berlin earlier this year.

KAIST

Features

With a maximum speed of 60km/h, the Armadillo-T can travel 100 kilometers after 10 minutes of battery charging. The car can be folded after parking and its length will be reduced from 2.8m to 1.65m all via a smartphone application. To save space, cameras are used to replace the sides and rear-view mirrors. According to the Korean Wall Street Journal, three Armadillo-Ts can be slotted into a standard sized parking lot in Korea after folding, using the same smartphone application.

While the Armadillo-T may not interest those with a need for speed, the prototype looks promising as a practical urban vehicle, especially in countries like Korea and Japan that have limited parking spaces in the city. The fact that it's also an electric car earns it extra brownie points for being environment-friendly.

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Maruti Suzuki Stingray Launched In India

Maruti Suzuki Stingray Launched In India

Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Limited, the country's largest passenger car maker, has introduced a new model in the hatchback segment, named Stingray, between a price tag of Rs. 4.1 lakh and Rs. 4.67 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). With the launch of a new model, the auto maker is targeting to come over the slowdown blues, which have been prevailing in the Indian auto market from quite a some time now.

With the Stingray, which will be more expensive than the existing WagonR by about Rs 20,000, MSI is hoping to attract young customers and make the most out of the upcoming festive season.

For the Indian market, Maruti Suzuki has dropped the Wagon R moniker from the name of the new model and are simply calling it the Maruti Suzuki Stingray, unlike the international markets where the model is tagged as Suzuki Wagon R Stingray.

The company says, Stingray features several high-end features usually associated only with high-end cars, which include first in class projector headlamps and reflector grille. Other features include gunmetal grey coloured alloy wheels, rear spoilers and side skirts, premium black upholstery, leather wrapped steering with audio controls, multi-information display including distance to empty, driver airbag, ABS and tilt adjustable steering,  among others.

The model is being offered in a total of 3 variants - LXi, VXi and VXi with an Option Pack - and all the three variants are being powered the same 1.0-Litre K10 petrol engine, which does duties in the regular Wagon R and is rated at 68PS and 90Nm. The engine comes mated to a 5-Speed manual transmission. Unlike its elder sibling, the Stingray will not be offered in a CNG variant.

List of variants & the corresponding prices of the 2013 Maruti Suzuki Stingray:

1. 2013 Maruti Suzuki Stingray LXi - Rs 4.09 lakh
2. 2013 Maruti Suzuki Stingray VXi - Rs 4.37 lakh
3. 2013 Maruti Suzuki Stingray VXi (O) - Rs 4.66 lakh

The rear sports combination lamps with clear-lens treatment, a spoiler and a chrome strip with “Stingray” embossed on it. Maruti hasn’t made any major changes inside barring an all-black treatment in place of the dual-tone shade on the regular WagonR, reports suggest.

The Stingray has been draped with all-black interiors with 'premium' upholstery and has been planted with an in-dash audio system compatible with USB/AUX inputs, which have steering mounted controls too. The top-end models in the spectrum have been equipped with tilt-adjustable steering wheel and electrically adjustable rear view mirrors.

Interiors-wise, there are a few changes. The top of the line Vx(O) gets a driver airbag and ABS. Power-folding mirrors and a new music system are also part of the package. The dials also have been worked upon and feature instant and average fuel efficiency as also distance to empty indicator with blue backlighting.

There are audio controls on the leather wrapped steering wheel. Unlike the dual-tone interiors of the regular Wagon R, the Stingray has all black interiors. Space inside the cabin, a Wagon R USP has been retained.

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Fiat Punto Sport 2013 Launched In India

Fiat Punto 2013 Launched In India

FIAT Group Automobiles India Private Limited (FGAIPL) recently launched the limited edition Punto Sport 2013 at the FIAT Caffe in Bengaluru.The new model comes with cosmetic updates only and no mechanical changes.

The Punto Sport comes with a roof spoiler, branded door sills, branded floor mats with red stitching, sport pedals with aluminium inserts and a chrome exhaust tip. The car gets sport decals on the exterior and is only available in two paint jobs, white and red, while the roof is painted black to add to the sporty character. The wing mirrors are painted in contrast to the paint, hence the red car gets white mirrors and the white comes with red mirrors!

Powering the car is a the tried and tested 1.3L VGT-equipped Multijet motor that has a max power of 93 PS@4000 RPM. The 2013 sporty version will be available in 2 new colours – New Pearl White and Exotica Red. Both these color options get black roof and contrasting side ORVMs.

SPECIFICATIONS:

1. Black painted roof
2. Contrast colour exterior mirrors
3. sport decals – side & rear
4. Sport Pedals
5. Chrome Exhaust pipe
6. Roof Spoiler
7. “Punto” Door Sills
8. “Sport” Carpet floor mats with red stitching 
9. Dual Stage Front Airbags with Early Crash Sensors
10. FirePrevention System (FPS)
11. Immobilizer With Rolling code (FCS)
12. Blue & Me technology
13. Auto A/C
14. ABS
15. Speed Sensitive Volume Adjuster for Audio with remote control

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Lamborghini's Most Extreme Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse Sports Car Unveiled

Lamborghini's Most Extreme Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse Sports Car Unveiled

Lamborghini is referring its new Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse as a way to experience the emotion of the race track in a street car.

Based on Lamborghini’s Super Trofeo track cars, the new LP 570-4 Squadra Corse sports a 570 hp, V10 engine that will launch it from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a prompt 3.4 seconds before hitting a top speed of 320 km/h (198 mph), rear wing capable of generating three times the downforce of the Gallardo LP 560-4 and removeable engine hood as its race cars. And it derives the same benefits from them — unbelievable quickness, ground hugging ability and fast pit stops. Lambo calls it the “most extreme” in line-up Gallardo yet. Both the cover and rear wing are made from carbon composites to reduce weight which adds its quickness.

Squadra Corse's carbon fiber rear wing generates three times the downforce of the Gallardo LP 560-4

Speaking of weight loss programs, the new Gallardo tips the scales at a svelte 1340 kg (2954 lb), 70 kg (154 lb) lighter than the LP 560-4. Carbon fiber and aluminum architecture is used throughout, resulting in a stiffer, lighter chassis.

The new Gallardo weighs in at 1340 kg (2954 lb), 70 kg (154 lb) lighter than the LP 560-4

To break down the car's moniker, 570 refers to the 5.7 liter engine while the 4 refers to the all-wheel drive setup. Squadra Corse refers to the recently-founded division within Automobili Lamborghini that manages all of the company’s motorsport activities.

Carbon fiber also dominates the Squadra Corse's interior. The door panels, the racing seats, the center console cover, the handbrake frame, the lower rim of the steering wheel, the trim around the main and secondary instrument panels, and the door handles are some of the parts that have been made from the sturdy yet lightweight material. Alcantara, meanwhile, is used on the underside of the dashboard, the central panel of the seat cushion and the backrest. For more comfort Buyers can substitute ordinary seats for the standard racing seats.

The door panels, the racing seats, the center console cover, the handbrake frame, the lower rim of the steering wheel, the trim around the main and secondary instrument panels, and the door handles are made of carbon fiber, while  Alcantara is used on the underside of the dashboard, the central panel of the seat cushion and the backrest to soften the mood

As comfortable as it is made, there will be no mistaking its race-bred bearings when drivers step on the gas pedal. Squadra Corse sprints from zero to 62 miles per hour in 3.4 seconds. Zero to 124 mph comes in a blazing 10.4 seconds. It tops out somewhere north of 170 mph. It is paired with a six-speed transmission with paddle shifters.

The LP 570-4 Squadra Corse will make its world debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor in September, the same car show at which the Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale debuted two years ago. The Squadra Corse will be available in Giallo Midas (yellow), Bianco Monocerus (white), Grigio Thalasso (grey) and of course, Rosso Mars (red), with a decal strip along the flank displaying the colors of the Italian flag.

Accentuating the Squadra Corse's exterior is the matte-black finish on the large rear wing that contrasts with the body color and the high-gloss black paint on the hood, front air intakes, rear diffuser and 19-inch forged wheels. The brake calipers, meanwhile, are available in red, black or yellow. Pricing is to be revealed later this year.

Squadra Corse's exterior is the matte-black finish on the large rear wing

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BMW launches it's i3 Electric Car

Front View Of BMW i3 Electric Car

Back View Of BMW i3 Electric Car

The German luxury carmaker BMW has presented its first mass-production i3 electric hatchback. The Munich-based company underscored the seriousness of its long-term ambitions regarding mobility in Germany and abroad.
The i3 is a funky-looking four-seater that Wired is calling “the most innovative thing to come out of Munich in a decade.”
The i3 comes after an estimated $2.7 billion (2 billion euros) investment program, with the German carmaker hoping the resources pumped into research and development will eventually pay off.
The i3 is more than just a car. It's a revolutionary step towards sustainable mobility. It is purpose-built around an electric power train to serve the needs of our megacity customers," said Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Norbert Reithofer, at the world premiere in New York on Monday.

The fact that a typical electric vehicle (EV) can only be driven 75 miles to 80 miles (120 km to 130 km) before requiring a recharge — which takes up a lot more time than a gas-station pit stop — is a deal breaker for many consumers. Using electric power, the BMW i3 can be driven out 80 miles (130 km), perhaps 100 miles (160 km). That’s fine for many commuters, but insufficient for longer journeys.
Extending the driving range of the i3 is as simple as purchasing the optional two-cylinder, 34-horsepower rear engine that runs on gasoline — and that basically doubles the vehicle’s range. BMW is also expected to give i3 owners access to gas-powered loaner cars during the days when they need a vehicle with longer driving range — on, say, a weekend road trip.

BMW i3 Electric Car's interiors

BMW i3 Electric Car's interiors

One of the most common arguments against EVs is that the math doesn’t add up: whatever money you’d save on gas is negated by the premium you pay compared with a traditional gas-powered car. Prices have already dropped significantly on electric cars, with abundant cheap lease deals and thousands of dollars slashed off the sticker prices of the Ford Focus EV, Nissan Leaf and others.

The i3 also leverages the latest mobile technology to enhance functionality both in and out of the car. An Apple cable connects iPhone owners with apps and phone features. The BMW i Remote smartphone app offers functions like battery monitoring, car location, and door locking and unlocking.

The i3 comes with an i Remote smartphone app

In the U.S., the BMW i3 will start at US$41,350 or US$45,200 for the version with the backup gasoline engine, before factoring in federal and state rebates and tax incentives. That’s not cheap, but it’s less expensive than what many anticipated for an electric-powered BMW. It’s also a lot less pricey than the Tesla Model S, the premium that has already set the standard for electric cars — and that starts at around US$70,000.

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The TerraCraft: 3 Wheeler Car And Motorbike Hybrid With A Unique Steering System

The TerraCraft 3 wheeler car and motorbike hybrid

The Terracraft is a sharp-looking 3-wheeler concept that aims to offer a unique hybrid of the motorcycle riding and car driving experiences. It offers a retractable roof and doors which can offer weather protection and aerodynamics. There is a tandem double seat inside which mirrors the motorbike pillion experience.

Its unique steering system means the driver can manually dial in a tilt angle to replicate the sensation of leaning a motorcycle into a corner. The seating looks like the same padded comfort models from a long distance BMW or Honda tourer.

James ‘Wes’ Abbott, a former NASA sub contractor, said that the hybrid is ideal for ‘aging baby boomers who are looking for alternatives to stay on the road and to keep cruising with their clubs’. The TerraCraft is a very sexy-looking concept bike. It almost looks as if a Bugatti Veyron has been squashed to a third of its normal width and equipped with formula one-style open wheels, albeit with a much narrower track, he added.

The TerraCraft 3 wheeler car and motorbike hybrid

It's a tandem 2-seater, much like a motorcycle, with a very comfy looking saddle straight out of a luxury mega-tourer, and it's got the added benefit of retractable side doors and a roof canopy that also slides back into the rear of the vehicle to make it a convertible.

The designer is working on a prototype right now taking  the back half of a Honda GoldWing GL1500 to build a proof of concept he should be able to unveil at The Texas Lone Star Rally later in the year.

"I'm at 70% on the prototype chassis, working about 12 hours a day on that right now. I have the rolling chassis, I have the suspension fabricated up and right now I'm about to start doing some refinements in the steering linkage to mitigate bumps and such."

The TerraCraft 3 wheeler car and motorbike hybrid

The TerraCraft 3 wheeler car and motorbike hybrid

The TerraCraft 3 wheeler car and motorbike hybrid

"Being that we're bootstrapping this right now we're not putting a lot of giant funds into getting this built. I'm kind of building it, and the engineers are kind of coming in behind me and reverse engineering what I do. Otherwise, these guys are NASA trained engineers, and they'll think of seven different designs and debate about it for seven years and about 70 million dollars' worth of budget."

Abbott says TerraCraft is "doing a bit of fundraising – we're kind of bootstrapping this and trying to maintain ownership and control without going into the heavy investors. We really want to stick with the niche market. and potentially go into the market with kit options and segue into the production models after that. We'd like to mitigate dilution and take care of our core group."

To that end, he's willing to offer the first 10 TerraCraft vehicles to early adopters at cost price as the company tools up toward production, or even less if the new owner is willing to take the bike out to expo shows and presentations.

It's looks great with  lots of good ideas and he is thinking to give the pilot a chance to be either in the wind or protected from the rain.  I hope it is not too expensive.

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