auto-drive software

Is the car just evil, even if it’s a hybrid or plug-in?

Time to brake the automotive mold

Or can the mold be broken?

“‘Growing out of oil’ will not be possible relying on a single technological solution. It requires a new concept of mobility, supported by a cluster of new technologies as well as more sustainable behaviour,” concludes the European Union’s Transport 2050 road map to the future of transportation.

While Tranport 2050 doesn’t call the auto ‘evil’, it does claim that personal transportation is today unsustainable, and even moving to only hybrids and plug-ins won’t be enough – at least in Europe. Read more…

Watch Google’s self-driving Toyota Prius in action

Now this is a game-changer

In my opinion the problem with the automobile isn’t the fact that it doesn’t plug-in, it’s the fact that there are too many automobiles built too inefficiently with far too many natural resources. Yet, in the next few decades, the world’s automotive fleet is expected to triple. Is that really sustainable, regardless of the fuel source?

Thus, I think something like auto-drive opens up the possibility for entirely new business models for car ownership, rentals, size, powertrains, etc., and the technology is far closer than many might believe.

Don’t believe it? Here’s a small clip of one of Google’s self-driving Toyota Prius hybrid cars.

Source: InsideLine

Ford Escape hybrid for blind drivers

Hybrids for blind people

Robotic cars will forever change the auto industry

If you follow this blog, then you know I’m a big fan of auto-drive technologies. I believe such technologies will revolutionize the auto industry in ways we’re only beginning to imagine today. Minimally, significantly increased safety will help lighten cars. This alone could be critical to mainstreaming battery-powered technologies.

Then there are numerous car-sharing options, including driving options for the blind based upon Virginia Tech research. Read more…

Telematically Speaking: I get better EV range than you

Who gets the best EV range in your neighborhood?

Building cars for the next generation of buyers

There is a revolution going on in the auto industry. No it’s not about powertrains or alternative fuels, it’s telematics. It started with GM’s OnStar and the evolution of onboard navigation systems, but has evolved into Ford’s Sync, Toyota’s Entune and Hyundai’s Blue Link to name a few.

Ultimately, our cars are becoming every more connected information and entertainment portals, even social networking hubs. We can make restaurant reservations, secure movie tickets, find shortcuts, unlock our cars remotely, Facebook, even find out who achieves the best EV range in their Nissan Leaf in any particular neighborhood. Read more…

Can new Congress add anything to foreign oil game?

The DeTomaso Ghepardo methanol fuel cell hybrid.

Or just more drilling and trashing GM?

Last night I had a very disappointing dream. I was covering the LA Auto Show in the year 2050 and not only were flying cars not the norm, America was still dependent upon foreign oil. Fortunately, that nightmare could never come true.

Or could it? Read more…

A hybrid, hybrid: Google tests self-driving Prius

Self drive: Greater efficiency and safety

Way out of the box hybrid

Years ago I fully believed the battery was going to completely revolutionize the automobile, and rather quickly. Unfortunately, the research overwhelmingly contradicts such a reality.

I find this irritatingly unacceptable, but to pretend the research is wrong, when so diverse and abundant, seems foolish. Consequently, I’ve been been willing to accept natural gas, biofuels, etc. as supplements to the battery revolution – anything to seriously change the paradigm as quickly as possible away from oil, especially foreign.

Yet for some time I’ve started to believe that auto-drive is the real revolution coming in the auto industry, and it turns out Google has been thinking the same thing. Read more…

Self-drive plus auto-drive: The new hybrid

Adding a new hybrid system to hybrids

A Toyota Prius with auto-drive

Already a number of cars offer safety features that not only warn drivers of dangers, they actually take control of the vehicle to help prevent potential crashes.

Today, we call cars with two power sources hybrid cars, but in the very near future most cars will also have two drivers:  a computer and the actual driver.

That’s not just a hybrid hybrid, it’s a game-changer. Read more…

A two-cylinder hybrid: Can consumers change?

Time to get un-American

Outrageously cheap and fuel efficient

In the very near future Fiat might offer a two-cylinder car for the American market. Obviously, such a vehicle – one would think – would be called a joke by most Americans. Yet, what if Fiat offered an agile, fun-to-drive 100 mpg, 2-cylinder hybrid for just $12,000?

Could such a hybrid outsell the Smart ForTwo? Could it compete with Toyota Prius sales? Read more…

Carbon fiber, safety and fuel efficiency

A key to fuel economy?

The strength of carbon fiber

These days any conversation regarding fuel economy, oil dependence, etc. ultimately seems to always resolve to batteries. Yet, the research on batteries seems to indicate that if the battery is the future of the auto industry, the world has many decades before that future fully unfolds.

Consequently, is it not fair to ask whether there is too much focus on the battery, particularly in the short term? For instance, could something like carbon-fiber also be a game changer? Read more…

Do the government’s plug-in communities make sense?

Home charging isn't enough?

Can we predict the future?

If the Obama administration has its way, $10 billion will spent to create up to 15 “deployment cities” for the roll out of plug-in vehicles.

However, a diverse group of Congresspeople and automakers are against the idea for a variety of different reasons. Read more…