Continental Debuts Speakerless Audio System Concept
June 29, 2017 – As premium audio systems have become common in mainstream cars, the number of speakers in vehicles has increased. But along with this improved sound comes added weight, and more space is needed to house the speakers. Recently I got a chance to see and hear a new cutting-edge sound system by automotive supplier Continental called […] [Continue Reading]
Michelin Reinvents the Wheel and the Tire With Its Vision Concept
June 19, 2017 – Michelin wants to reinvent the wheel – and the tire too – via the Vision concept the company introduced at its Movin’On conference in Montreal this week. The one-piece wheel-and-tire combo is “airless, connected, rechargeable, customizable and organic,” according to Michelin. Since you’re probably wondering about the organic part, let’s get that out of […] [Continue Reading]
As Driverless Car Efforts Ramp Up, Keep an Eye on Delphi
June 9, 2017 – No one knows exactly what an autonomous future will look like. But it’s safe to say that some of the first applications of the technology will involve robo ride-sharing services. By 2021, Ford wants to mass produce autonomous vehicles without a steering wheel or gas and brakes pedals for ride-sharing purposes. Uber and Lyft have […] [Continue Reading]
Bosch and TomTom Give Radar Sensors Second Task Making Maps for Autonomous Vehicles
June 7, 2017 – Sensors such as radar and cameras are key components of driver assist systems and are also crucial to the development of autonomous technology. Sensors enable a car to “see” the environment around it, and they’re also starting to serve secondary duty in building more detailed maps that are essential to autonomous driving. Mobileye’s Road Experience […] [Continue Reading]
Why the Auto Industry C-Suite Should Be Nervous about Ford’s New Design Thinking CEO
May 23, 2017 – C3 President Doug Newcomb (right) moderated a panel in San Francisco last September that included new Ford CEO Jim Hackett (second from right). As the auto industry shifts from selling sheet metal to offering a range of mobility services, veteran executives have reason to be anxious about the future of their companies – and their […] [Continue Reading]
Details Emerge on Trump’s $1 Trillion Infrastructure Plan and What It May Mean for Autonomous Cars
May 22, 2017 – As evidenced by an embarrassing moment at the LA Auto Show last year when a prototype Volvo autonomous vehicle carrying LA mayor Eric Garcetti couldn’t collect enough visual data to move forward smoothly, even the most basic aspects of the nation’s roadway infrastructure will need upgrading before fully self-driving cars can be successfully deployed. “We […] [Continue Reading]
Nexar CityStream Uses Smartphones to Crowd-Sourced Mapping Data for Cities and Self-Driving Cars
May 9, 2017 – The battle for autonomous car supremacy is being fought on many fronts and waged with billions spent on sensors, software and artificial intelligence. But essential to self-driving technology is precise and detailed mapping of not only roads but also transportation infrastructure and the vicinity in which autonomous vehicles operate. That’s why money is also being […] [Continue Reading]
GM Offers Bolt EVs Via Maven for Drivers in the Growing Gig Economy
May 5, 2017 – The so-called gig economy is growing, and General Motors wants to provide vehicles to meet the needs of its members. In keeping with the transient nature of this emerging workforce, GM has launched a new service called Maven Gig that offers Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle on a short-term basis for people who need temporary wheels […] [Continue Reading]
Self-Driving Cars Take on Boston’s Bad Drivers
April 27, 2017 – Anyone who has ever driven in Boston knows that the city’s drivers aren’t the most cautious or courteous. And data backs it up: In 2014 and 2015, Allstate insurance ranked Beantown motorists the most likely to have an accident based on the insurance company’s study of claims in the 200 largest U.S. cities. This makes […] [Continue Reading]