Car Tech
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Active noise cancellation has up until now taken aim at engine or powertrain noises, but a more sophisticated system quells road noise.
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Infiniti bets its future on electric cars–and hybrid tech it hasn’t yet named
Infiniti confirmed fully electric or series-hybrid models based on the Q, QS, and QX Inspiration concepts due in the next three years.
Bengt Halvorson -
Turbos are going electric—and becoming part of hybrid powertrains
E-turbos can become active electrical components in a hybrid powertrain, rather than merely engine-boosters.
Byron Hurd -
Torque-vectoring clutch unit could nix the need for two rear motors
The supplier BorgWarner has devised a clutch system that creates the same handling dynamics as systems with dual rear motors.
Bengt Halvorson -
Crowdfunded Aptera super-efficiency EV will use in-wheel motors
The reconstituted three-wheel, 100-mile electric car will feature in-wheel motor tech from Elaphe.
Byron Hurd -
Bosch uses pyrotechnics to boost battery safety
Using a system similar to airbag detonation, Bosch aims to stay safe by cutting the connection to batteries in the event of an accident.
Byron Hurd -
A light communication system within the Volkswagen EV helps cue the driver and passenger as to when additional input is needed.
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Will Tesla's purchase of battery maker lead to proprietary cells?
A series of moves, including the acquisition of Maxwell Technologies, and now Canada's Hibar, indicate that the company may be readying its own cells.
Byron Hurd -
Driverless cars could dramatically increase traffic in Europe
A recently released study suggests that the proliferation of zero-emissions driverless cars could ultimately lead to higher energy consumption.
Byron Hurd -
Tesla already topped half a million Smart Summons
With its new Software Version 10, Tesla has introduced a Smart Summon feature to a portion of its owners. Some results are amusing; others are frightening.
Byron Hurd -
Tesla rolls out V10 software, makes Q3 sales push
Tesla gets it big Version 10 rollout underway before hitting its next big Q3 sales tally. Streaming video and Smart Summon are among the many highlights.
Bengt Halvorson -
Volvo XC40 EV will be first equipped with next-gen active-safety sensors
Volvo is boasting that the fully electric version of the XC40 will debut a completely new sensor set and corresponding sensor platform.
Byron Hurd -
With more active-safety features and potential to tap into the Apple and Amazon ecosystems, the 2020 Prius keeps on with the mainstream
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Delphi teases 800V inverter for 2022 “high-performance vehicle”
The supplier Delphi announced a major contract for an 800V inverter—indicating at least one more premium brand is embracing the faster-charging tech.
Bengt Halvorson -
Volkswagen ID wall chargers revealed for Europe; US plans yet to come
VW is planning to offer a full lineup of AC wall chargers for its new ID 3 electric car in Europe. Top models are data-connected.
Byron Hurd -
2020 Porsche Taycan preview: Fast, electric, expensive
Porsche unlocks all the secrets of its new all-electric Taycan battery vehicle.
John Voelcker -
Can heat pumps solve cold-weather range loss for EVs?
Heat pumps and integrated thermal systems could help make up for some (but not all) of the winter range loss in electric vehicles.
Bengt Halvorson -
BMW reveals steering wheel for self-driving iNext electric SUV
For a vehicle that will sometimes transition from self-driving mode to driver control, BMW has revealed a steering wheel that can help quickly orient the driver.
Eric C. Evarts -
Tesla is about to roll out V10 software that will improve Autopilot operation and take advantage of the company's self-driving chip.
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Prototype Sumitomo tires recover energy as they roll
The tire maker Sumitomo has announced a tire concept that generates energy as it rolls down the road.
Eric C. Evarts -
Just ahead of electric-car push, voice systems are about to get much smarter
VW is testing a system developed in Silicon Valley, using a next-generation dialog manager to parse natural-language voice commands from multiple users.
Bengt Halvorson -
Volkswagen tests AI-informed design process to cut weight—and flaunt it
With help from Autodesk software, VW has automated some of the design process and made some unique, weight-reduced parts
Bengt Halvorson -
How much extra would you pay for a truly self-driving car? Take our Twitter poll
Do you believe that a scenario with the greater value of full self-driving and the fleet of robotaxis is just around the corner?
Eric C. Evarts -
GM plans cleaner tires and factories, as well as more EVs
General Motors is committed to the Paris Climate Accords and continues also to work toward 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.
Eric C. Evarts