Car Tech
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The E Tense Performance aims for a future in which brake dust and brake-pad replacements might be a thing of the past, and brake regen handles it all.
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2023 Nissan Ariya e-4orce will make all-wheel drive about more than traction: Tech preview
Nissan’s e-4orce all-wheel-drive system is the technology star of the Ariya lineup—but it’s not arriving until a few months later.
Bengt Halvorson -
Lucid confirms Nvidia architecture for its DreamDrive Pro driver-assistance system
DreamDrive Pro has been billed as an answer to Tesla's Autopilot, and Lucid has hinted that it might eventually exceed the capabilities of that and other systems.
Stephen Edelstein -
VW details major over-the-air update for ID.4 EV, promises more American software development
The Software 3.0 update will be made available to existing vehicles free of charge via an over-the-air (OTA) update
Stephen Edelstein -
35 years ago, this GM prototype had a yoke, four-wheel steering, and satellite navigation
Although the 1987 Pontiac Pursuit prototype didn't see the future as electric, it embraced many of the tech items showcased by today's leading-edge EVs.
Stephen Edelstein -
Tesla Phone Key outage allegedly locked some out of their cars: Is this the future?
Some owners couldn't access their Tesla vehicles for a time on Friday, as app- and phone-based keys are headed toward wider adoption in tech-forward EVs.
Bengt Halvorson -
Ultra Cruise and Super Cruise will coexist, but Ultra Cruise adds a new sensor set including lidar, plus learning systems that sound like those employed by Tesla.
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BMW X5 plug-in hybrid is shod with sustainably sourced natural rubber
Natural rubber and wood-based nylon are ingredients for special sustainable tires in the X5 xDrive45e PHEV.
Stephen Edelstein -
Faraday Future shows off FF91 video-call capability ahead of SPAC and claimed 2022 arrival
The seven-year-old startup's FF91 is still enticing, and the company is showing that it plans to keep the model's leading-edge tech focus.
Stephen Edelstein -
Here's why Ford nixed in-wheel motors in F-150 Lightning electric truck
Ford considered in-wheel hub motors such as those being used by Lordstown Motors, but it ruled them out for a long list of reasons.
Bengt Halvorson -
Supplier scarred by Dieselgate rejects EV future, will invest in combustion tech into 2040s
Although Bosch is proactive on climate issues, it doesn't see battery-electric vehicles as the whole future.
Bengt Halvorson -
Report: Microplastic pollution from vehicle tires is a serious global issue
As tires wear from driving, they shed particles that can be carried far away, contributing to pollution in the ocean and atmosphere.
Stephen Edelstein -
Teammate "Advanced Drive" appears to offer some of the functionality of Navigate on Autopilot, with a more conservative approach than Tesla.
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Could free-piston range extenders broaden the electric-truck horizon?
A new kind of engine design doesn't produce any torque—and it might be the best fit for electric-truck range extenders.
Bengt Halvorson -
Flywheel tech helps ease grid demands of EV fast-charging
Chakratec brings back flywheel tech in a package that could do a lot of good in balancing the grid as fast-charging needs put the pinch on it.
Bengt Halvorson -
Xpeng P7 upgrade cribs Navigate on Autopilot functions, adds lidar
The suite called Navigation Guided Pilot, released by the Chinese EV maker Xpeng, sounds very close to Tesla's Navigate on Autopilot functionality—but with the addition of lidar.
Stephen Edelstein -
Like Tesla Autopilot, Fisker driver assistance tech won't use lidar
Fisker Intelligent Pilot won't count lidar sensors as part of its initial component set, although like Tesla it will offer cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and radar.
Stephen Edelstein -
Polestar 2 qualifies, DIY electric Mini Cooper on a budget, VW ID.4 launch approach: Today's Car News
The Polestar 2 is a Green Car Reports' Best Car To Buy 2021 finalist, a YouTuber built an electric Mini Cooper, and Volkswagen's taking a different marketing approach in launching the ID.4.
Joel Feder -
The road-surface solar panels might power streetlights or serve with energy storage as backup for grid outages.
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Electric car platform for Hyundai, Kia, Genesis: Bi-directional charging, robotaxi ready
Hyundai's platform for a generation of EVs offers a modular layout, rear- or all-wheel drive, more than 300 miles of range, and some very flexible charging.
Bengt Halvorson -
Karma sues EV startup Lordstown, claims it stole infotainment tech
Lordstown poached employees and stole infotainment secrets and know-how from Karma Automotive, the latter alleges.
Stephen Edelstein -
Ford's rival to Autopilot and Super Cruise: Priced, and coming to Mach-E electric SUV
Active Drive Assist will allow hands-free driving on more than 100,000 miles of highways in North America—in more than 100,000 vehicles in the first year.
Bengt Halvorson -
Tires could be costing EV owners an extra charge a year, study suggests
Underinflated tires—and tire choice in general—subtract a surprising amount of electric vehicle driving range.
Bengt Halvorson -
Tire dust is pollution, and this invention will help vehicles clean up as they go
The UK national winner for the James Dyson Award is an innovative idea for collecting particulate matter pollution from tires.
Bengt Halvorson